Honda SH 300 maxi-scooter test

Menus

• The HS is another
• Discovery
• In the saddle
• Contact
• In the city
• On the highway
• National
• Comfort
• Braking
• Consumption
• Convenient
• Conclusion

The HS is another

The SH 300 is the Honda scooter with a flat bottom and large wheels, here in a 300 cm3 version … Svelte and urban are the hallmarks of this small maxi-scooter, which flourishes massively in Italy, its European country of choice, and a little less in France. So, rightly or unfairly unloved ?

Discovery

Undeniably elegant, the SH is ageless or rather without apparent displacement with a line close to the SH 125 from which it differs very little at first glance. We actually find the general lines, the large 16-inch wheels, the saddle, as well as the identical dashboard, or the fuel tank under the saddle. Revisited in 2011, that is to say before the new SH 125, the front face is distinguished by a look less inherited from the PCX and more refined, just like the side lines with a much larger exhaust. The SH benefits here from the single cylinder with electronic injection of 279.1 cm3 from the CRF. Honda quality is found in the plastics as well as the stems and details.

In the saddle

We naturally sit on the saddle, both thanks to the flat floor and the absence of a central beam, and above all a saddle height down to only 785 mm (against 799 mm for the 125). Suddenly, the feet touch the ground almost completely flat for the pilot of 1.70. Anyway, with a featherweight of 170 kilos all full, and positioned low, we have the impression of sitting and holding a light 125 cm3.
The hands are posed in the same way as on the 125 offering a straight and natural driving position. It is then necessary to lower the head and the eyes to discover the dashboard, offering a huge central meter framed by the temperature and the gasoline gauge. A mini digital dial displays in the center: partial double trip and totalizer. You will also find the oil or ABS warning lights (standard). On the other hand, there is no warning.
On the left, the storage compartment, not lockable, offers a 12V socket to recharge a mobile.

The mirrors are easily adjusted and above all offer rare visibility to the rear. It is undoubtedly among the most efficient not only of the category but of two-wheelers as a whole. Placed high, they pass more easily above the mirrors of cars.
Warning ! There is no parking brake…

Contact

The SH sets off in almost silence with a frank, fast, smooth acceleration and without any latency when pressing the right handle. You don’t have to wait for a show of speed, like a slap. Although! Because faced with larger displacement, the SH has the clear advantage of weight, and weight / power ratio and therefore offers instant acceleration more natural and effortless. In fact, the efficiency is there. Because at the standing start, all the 125 naturally remain far away but also the scooters of equivalent displacement. The battle will begin to be less balanced with some 400s. Discreet, but above all light, the 27 horses are responsive, with an average of 5 more horsepower than the 250 maxi-scooters, offering regular and dynamic acceleration up to high speeds. unequal on national.

In the city

Suddenly, we are immediately too fast in the city, in fact too fast, everywhere. And the speedometer set low and forcing you to take your eyes off the road does not help to realize the speed, except for habit. Because the SH is not only light, nor fast, it is also particularly thin and narrow, with in addition mirrors placed relatively high. Suddenly, we never wonder if it will pass … we go … everywhere, between everything, easily, without thinking about it, and whether it is solo or in duet. Engine, dynamics and above all agility are the main explanations for this impressive efficiency in the city. This is also so true, that we come to have a dynamic and fast driving, despite the apparent smoothness of acceleration. Because with its lightness and narrowness, the scooter encourages all daring and especially all maneuvers as it offers impressive maneuverability. Even when stationary, its ridiculously small turning radius allows you to turn around effortlessly and without thinking..

On the highway

The SH sets off as quickly on the highway as in the city, casually, to happily exceed authorized speeds and with good stability. Admittedly above 130 km / h, it must be given time to take its turns again but the counter continues to climb slowly but surely to clearly exceed 150 km / h, that is to say 140 km / h real. At this speed, the absence of bubbles is felt with pressure and a loud noise on the helmet. Above all, the front is a little more blurry, and a little more wind is enough for reason to make you quickly return to the regulatory 130 km / h, whether solo or duo. If the peak difference is barely perceptible in solo or duo, the front axle is crazier in duo and then even less incentive to exceed 135 km / h. On the other hand, solo, we can quietly stall at 130 km / h, enough speed to get out of the way if necessary and not to fear overtaking trucks. At this speed, you can clearly feel the eddies and the wind which rises at the level of the apron on the legs and knees..

For those who need to make a lot of long journeys at high speed, the high bubble will then take on all its importance..

National

Back on the national road at a more reasonable speed, the wind pressure is reduced, the times are sharper, and the maneuverability makes it possible to string together large curves without particular worries or swirls, including when the road is deformed. The stability of the SH is here imperturbable and its engine punch allows to consider all overtaking without ulterior motive.

Comfort

The SH is quite firm … which means that it smooths out bad roads as much as possible without being harsh, but you are not on a cloud or a Pullman. Advantage linked to this firmness, the overall behavior remains very healthy on all occasions, even when the pavement is deteriorating.
Comfort is confirmed as a duo, both for the pilot and especially for the passenger. Only the a little high perched weight of the passenger causes a little more unbalance, requiring a little more attention during agile maneuvers as normal, then requiring a little effort to straighten the whole (all comparisons kept since the SH remains very light and just as easy to handle as a duo).

Braking

ABS as standard! Or more exactly C-ABS as standard! You just have to try Honda C-ABS braking to adopt it. In fact, braking combined with ABS offers impressive safety on a daily basis, making it possible to consider the strongest braking, without planing off and without parasitic reaction. Suddenly, we brake hard, quickly and efficiently. It is also sufficient to abandon the left brake handle using the instrument panel to take only the right handle (front brake only) to brake, of course, but by taking off strongly, the front literally plunging. While combined braking offers comfort and safety. Honda has always done it particularly well. It is still and more than ever true on the SH 300.

Consumption

The fuel gauge proves to be precise, slowly descending to halfway at 120 km and then starting to tickle the red zone from 180 km. At 210 km, the needle arrives at the last red bar suggesting that you are going to be dry. This is not the case since there is still a little more than a liter in the tank. With a 9-liter tank, and an average consumption of 3.5 liters per hundred with aggressive driving, the SH 300 therefore offers a range of around 250 kilometers, or even more with cool driving. And since it is light, you can even risk running out of fuel because you can push it easily.

Convenient

We just fit a jet helmet under the saddle, like the SH 125. It’s a bit tight on a daily basis and we will automatically add its 35-liter top-case to its colors (235 euros). As the top case is optional, it will require another key than the ignition key.
The front storage compartment is especially practical for its 12V socket which allows you to recharge a mobile phone. It could have been able to lock with a key, especially since its horizontal push-button closure is not up to the brand’s standards and could engage more easily..

Conclusion

Elegant, discreet, the SH 300 offers all the potential necessary for the city dweller who needs to get out of the city, or even consider a long weekend. It combines the advantages and qualities in terms of agility, efficiency, safety, comfort and dynamics with a single real defect linked to its main storage which can be adjusted with a top-case. Its understated style will naturally keep it out of sight and theft, which is in town is another strong argument so you can always find it when leaving a date. No great demonstration here despite an impressive top speed in terms of engine capacity, but efficiency and loyalty, rewarded on a daily basis by economy, both at the level of purchase just below the symbolic bar of 5,000 euros that consumption that revisions.

Strong points

• Agility
• Dynamic
• Braking

Weak points

• Storage
• Protection
• No parking brake

Available in 3 colors: Red,
White / Matt gray,
Black / brown

The SH 300 technical sheet

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