Friend of the site, Joseph A., splashed us in the face with some cold water this morning to tell us about a new addition to the Honda America Website, the 2011 Honda PCX 125! (who’s not wishing it was a 200?) This scoot was introduced in Thailand back in November and should actually hit US Dealers this year! We’re awaiting confirmation on an exact date from Honda and hope to have that by the end of the day.
The PCX has a nice, sporty look about it and seems fairly roomy and comfortable (from what we hear, “exceptionally comfy”) for a 125cc scooter. The PCX sports a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 125cc engine, a Honda V-Matic automatic transmission and, from what we hear, tons of convenient storage everywhere. Go HERE to see the fancy “innovations” page.
The PCX’s locking under seat storage is big enough for a full-face helmet and there’s a separate glove compartment up front. She also comes standard with both a side stand and a center stand. I’d like to see how Honda’s Programmed Fuel Injection system (PGM-FI) fairs on this 125cc sweetheart. The Combined Braking System (CBS) may be frowned upon by some riding purists, but I think it will be more than adequate for your average day of street riding. Take a peek at all the specs right over HERE. The 2011 PCX will come in AWESOME White and Pretty cool Red. I think it would be wicked in a matte black too, but you’ll have to do that yourself.
The PCX is not likely to have the stoplight shutdown feature as they do overseas; a fuel saving measure which causes the engine to cut off after 3 seconds of idling and cut back on upon acceleration. Top speed is estimated to be 67 MPH and the MSRP is yet to be determined (but I’m wagering $3,799).
OH, there’s also an Orange and Black 49cc Ruckus back for 2011. No one’s committed on a price yet and still no supercharger available. :(
19. May 2010 at 10:01 am
Out of curiosity, what does this bike go for in overseas markets?
19. May 2010 at 10:21 am
It goes for €2590 in Holland, but didn’t receive my longtermer yet from Honda NL. Dutch version Will have start/stop feature.
19. May 2010 at 10:37 am
I’m gonna’ get a supercharger done, I promise! Stupid day-job getting in the way.
19. May 2010 at 11:40 am
I think it is a good looking scooter, but is a little shy on the performance end. I would like to see a 250 (244cc) version with disc brakes front and rear.
31. May 2010 at 10:44 am
I don’t understand your comment. It’s a 125cc. It’s not a 250cc.. It will probably out-acceleration most 250cc scooters to 30-35mph.. it will get better gas mileage and will be lighter and easier to handle around town and will attract buyers who would not be interested in a bigger bike.. It will also be less expensive. If Honda wanted a new 250cc scooter for the US..they would have designed one.
I just don’t get this idea that everything needs more power.. If it this new scoot were 250cc, someone would come along and say it needs to be a 500cc and then someone else would say,, just get a Burgman 650 because it has better performance.
It is what it is,, 125cc scooter.. That’s what it was designed to be.
For many , this new 125cc design may be the perfect balance between something like a 50cc Ruckus and a larger maxi. If it were bigger.. it would be a maxi scoot.
3. June 2010 at 10:43 am
I disagree (respectfully).
The Honda lineup is teeming with small displacement scooters… well, teeming is a push, but check out their hand:
1) Metro 50cc
2) Ruckus 50cc
3) Elite 108cc
4) PCX 125cc
5) SH150i 150cc
6) Silverwing 600cc
Where are the scooters between 200cc and 300cc? They don’t exist… not since they dropped the Helix, Reflex, and Big Ruckus. Yes the 125-150cc market was the fastest growing segment for scooters in 2008 and it may have behooved them to release a 125 back then, but right now I think they’ve got that mid-displacement scooter segment covered in the Elite and SH150i. I believe, and I don’t have any market data to back this up, that Honda should have a scoot to fill the shoes of the outdated (but greatly admired) Honda Helix. The style of the PCX with the highway running ability of the Helix would make it a great commuter scooter for those people living in the suburbs.
19. May 2010 at 12:18 pm
Since a fuel-injected 125cc engine’s consumption at idle can be measured in picolitres, I would suggest the lack of the start-stop feature in the U.S. will have a negligible effect on fuel economy. The owner of the SH150i I reviewed told me she gets over 100 mpg, so the PCX should do at least as well, if not better…
__Orin
Scootin’ Old Skool
19. May 2010 at 2:08 pm
Why?
The USA doesn’t have graduated-licensing levels or strictly defined insurance categories that would force someone to select a 125cc over a 150cc. The PCX-125 doesn’t offer anything new and certainly doesn’t offer anything that would induce a purchaser to buy this over the SH150 which has 16-inch wheels and a better engine (other than a pushy salesman). By the way, the fancy sounding “V-Matic Transmission” is the same crappy rubber-band CVT as every other small scooter on the road.
31. May 2010 at 10:56 am
Right Sure!
You mean the exact same crappy rubber band CVT available in in every car from Audi, Toyota and Honda to Nissan and
Mercedes etc?
You mean the same crappy rubber-band CVT system that most professional automobile reviewers praise, as a huge improvement over standard automatic transmissions?
19. May 2010 at 2:12 pm
According to Honda :
“The ‘idling stop system,’ which automatically stops the engine when the motorcycle comes to a temporary stop, was adopted to improve fuel economy (except for the U.S. model.)”
Why leave this out of the US model? Stupid call in my opinion and likely to effect the estimated MPG 117 of the overseas model and WILL effect the city MPG negatively. Current cost in Thailand is 69,800 Baht (~ $2,150 US). My guess (pure speculation) is that it’ll retail for around $3695 in the USA.
19. May 2010 at 9:59 pm
I bet that you could buy a simple retrofit kit from Thailand to get the idle stop reengaged. I could be wrong, but I can’t imagine Honda making a huge effort out of removing that system from their production line. HECK! It’s probably a minor change of the existing configuration… like a switch. Time will tell.
21. May 2010 at 2:44 am
There’s multiple sensors (seat sensor, throttle sensor, speed sensor, water temperature sensor) that are required for the idling stop system along with the ECU and pulse generator. There is also a headlight control system to reduce power when in the idle state. I suspect the the USA edition would not have the idle stop display either.
I wonder if the USA model will include the ACG starter (combines cell motor / alternating current generator) or just put in a cheaper standard starter? If not, add that to the list of required items required for retrofit.
I don’t see Honda including these items as they increase the cost of the bike and manufacturers are notorious for pinching pennies.
20. May 2010 at 9:52 am
Seems a puzzling feature… would one have to restart the bike each time, or would it “automagically” restart on its own?
.
21. May 2010 at 2:26 am
Once the engine is warmed up, the engine will idle when stopped for 3 seconds. You only have to twist the throttle for for the engine to re-start automatically. Delay time from idle to beginning travel : .9 seconds.
21. May 2010 at 2:54 am
Just to put this in perspective, time to begin moving when the engine is still running is 1/2 a second. The process of starting the engine only adds 4/10ths of a second … for a total of 9/10ths of a second from engine auto stop state to beginning rolling.
11. June 2010 at 10:54 am
I bought one of this PCX in Bangkok, Thailand. The STAND BY feature is great. Save me lots of gas when I’m waiting for the light to turn green. Once light turn green, twist the throttle and it took off faster than the car next to you. Love this scooter!
20. May 2010 at 10:15 am
hmmm… sounds like some people actuality want the fuel saving option.
Also you might be able to tune/hack the e.f.i. to run on alcohol. But then you have to go to the trouble buy the alcohol from a locally organic carbon negative co-op, and get a (depending on the state)7.5 to 30 cent tax credit. That doesn’t account for fed benefits.
20. May 2010 at 2:27 pm
If does auto start and the first time it doesn’t and some one gets ran over at a stop light just think of the law suit.
That could be why you wont see it in the US.
3. June 2010 at 6:45 am
I’m living in Thailand, and using this lovely little scooter. It’s a great ride, smooth and relaxing. Don’t expect it to go much faster than 55mph comfortably. So pretty much, most State highways should be OK. This machine is great around town, and yet comfortable enough for mid. distances.
For those comfused about the ‘idle-stop’ function, it’s only active IF you were moving at more than 10KM/H and stop for more than 3 seconds. When you want to go, just twist the throttle and the engines starts up, no fuss (just don’t creep). The on/off switch is on the right thumb, it’s big you can’t miss it.
a little slow from ‘1st-2nd gear’ but once it gets going well, no problem with it.
The only think I see that could be a problem is the seat, it’s kinda small (compare to average American), and the foot rest is a little short (I’m 5′8″ @ 170lbs) and I still find it a bit compact.
3. June 2010 at 10:48 am
Hey AJ! Thanks for the feedback from Thailand. I wouldn’t say that you’re short compared to your average American… maybe a bit thin, but not short. I keep hearing how comfortable the seat is. I can’t wait to see how 6″ 2′, 200 lbs interacts with this scooter… see how the the PCX’s mega-comfort holds up then, eh? My old Helix was as plush as my lazyboy, so it’s got some serious competition. :)
11. June 2010 at 11:01 am
Don’t worry AJ, I bought one in Bangkok and I’m 6′2″, 165 Lbs (not 200 lbs lol). More leg room would be nice on this PCX scooter. Other then that, I’m happy with the PCX scooter.
3. June 2010 at 7:30 pm
WHY WOULD ANYONE BOTHER WITH A BIKE THAT ISN’T FREEWAY LEGAL-IF NECESSARY???
4. June 2010 at 6:35 am
Well, some people have no intention of hopping on the freeway. I personally wouldn’t recommend that new riders try their hand at keeping up with 75 mph traffic without getting some miles under their butts. A 125 is perfect for in town use… light weight, more maneuverable, cheaper to insure, better fuel economy, easier to park. It’s not a huge difference… not like the difference between a Genuine Buddy and a HD Road King, but enough for a new rider to notice.
3. June 2010 at 7:30 pm
125CC??? WHY???
26. August 2010 at 9:21 am
So how is it for touring? Long distance? Is the belt likely to break like my crappy Yamaha Mio has done twice in 6 months (when I’ve gone on 300km trips)