HONDA PCX125 (2010 - 2013) Review

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 4.8 out of 5 (4.8/5)
Annual servicing cost: £60
Power: 11 bhp
Seat height: Low (30.0 in / 761 mm)
Weight: Low (273 lbs / 124 kg)

Prices

New N/A
Used £2,000

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
5 out of 5 (5/5)

The Honda PCX125 scooter is the first ever two-wheeler to feature a fuel-saving idle stop system. Whether you think it’s a gimmick or a revolution, fact is the PCX125 is a brilliant little scooter in its own right and ticks all the boxes in terms of style, performance and practicality.

Honda PCX125 updated in 2014

The UK’s best-selling scooter at the time, the Honda PCX125 was given a raft of changes for 2014 aiming to improve rider comfort and further improving fuel economy.

The 2014 model offered revised styling, was even more fuel-efficient and got a series of additional details to make the scooter more useful for city commuters.

Honda’s press release stated: “A smart, sporty look, without increasing size but with improved comfort, was a key factor in the new PCX125’s design. And many detail improvements are in response to owner feedback.

"All lighting is now LED, saving electrical drain on the engine and a hazard button has been added, as well as a clock in the dash and integral 12V power adaptor."

The new PCX125 went on sale in the UK in spring 2014. It was replaced by the 2018 Honda PCX 125.

Electric and hybrid Honda PCX

In Asia there's both electric and hybrid Honda PCXs, going on sale in 2018. The former features a removable battery like the Gogoro scooters, and the latter combines petrol and electric power just like a hybrid car.

Neither model is tipped to come to the UK.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
4 out of 5 (4/5)

At just 124kg wet the PCX125 is very easy to manoeuvre and the handling is stable and reassuring. It’s fitted with 14inch wheels, which are a nice compromise between the 12" wheels of standard scoots and the 16inchers of big-wheelers.

Lack of wind protection from the low-slung bodywork limits comfort on the open road, but it’s clearly intended to be a practical commuter for the stylish and city-bound and in urban areas it excels.

Like a lot of modern Hondas the PCX features combined brakes, which do a great job of keeping things balanced under braking and they’re very novice-friendly (at the cost of a little bite).

Engine

Next up: Reliability
5 out of 5 (5/5)

The Honda PCX125 has a liquid-cooled 4-stroke 125cc motor that’s good for 70mph on the clocks, which is pretty quick for a 125 scoot. It zips away from the lights and benefits from a slick and direct throttle response not always found on scooters.

Then there’s the stop-start system - pull up to some traffic lights and after three seconds of idling, the engine cuts out. A blinking orange light marked ‘stand by’ (like a DVD player) lets you know that you’re in idle stop mode. A simple twist of the throttle will fire it back up again with next-to no delay, but it can be turned off via a switch on the bars if you’re not into it.

Honda says the system improves fuel efficiency by up to 5%. On a scooter that they claim is capable of 130mpg anyway, that’s hardly going to change the world, but if you are environmentally (or wallet) conscious there’s a warm glow that comes from knowing you’re saving fuel where possible. 

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
5 out of 5 (5/5)

In terms of build quality and overall presentation the PCX 125 is in a different league to some other scooters on the market - to be fair you’d expect no less from Honda. Reliability shouldn’t be an issue and you have the benefit of an established dealer network to fall back on.

We've got 15 Honda PCX 125 owners' reviews on the MCN site, and with a score over 4.6 stars out of 5 overall, it's clearly a well-loved scooter. The main drawback appears to be lack of kit (or even a clock...), but you can't expect too much from a bike at this price point. 

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
4 out of 5 (4/5)

At £2,270, the PCX was competitively priced – Honda’s own PS125i is £2,570, the Yamaha BW’s 125 is £2,499 and neither of those have coffeehouse-kudos stop-start tech. You can get a 125 scooter for cheaper, but the PCX offers something unique in a very solid package.

Honda PCX 125 rivals

Sandwiched in a vast array of Honda scooters ranging from 125s to 750s, the PCX offers a low-slung body that gives limited comfort on the open road, but for city-bound ventures and in urban areas it excels and would be far better suited than even the most powerful, shouty superbike.

Away from Honda scooters, other rivals in the Japanese firm's own range also include the fun-sized MSX125 and Monkey 125, which share the same steel backbone frame and 125cc SOHC four stroke engine, complete with four-speed manual box. 

With manageable seat heights of 765mm and 776mm respectively, they are the ultimate in geared urban exploration and arguably just as capable as the PCX - albeit without the underseat storage and leg-covering comfort.

Away from direct rivals from inside its own factory, the PCX is just one of many low-capacity scooters available to satisfy either an A licence or CBT certificate holder.

Produced by almost all major European and Japanese manufacturers, close rivals of the PCX include the former MCN-Award-winning Kawaski J125 and Suzuki's plucky Address 110, which comes available in the firm's striking MotoGP livery (without any of the performance). 

The nimble Address' lower-capacity makes it a doddle for inexperienced road users, complete with its narrow, light, effortless turning circle. It's a joy to ride and was made to dominate congestion. Although the 20.6-litre luggage compartment can fit a helmet and little else, it handles energetically and is endlessly comfortable.

With 13.8bhp on tap, the Kawasaki J125 is essentially a mini maxi-scooter, with the same dimensions as the larger J300, with a smaller power plant. If you want cheap simple commuting in comfort with style and reliability, then look no further - except to maybe the PCX125! 

The single-cylinder four-stroke Kymco motor is much more responsive than you’d expect for its size and it will comfortably haul its big body up-to an indicated 100kph without any fuss and roll onto a little more when required.

It will happily cruise along at an indicated 100kph despite the little Chinese motor working overtime at 9000rpm. However it's a little revvy around town buzzing at 6000rpm at only 30mph, dependant on conditions.

In terms of build quality and overall presentation, the PCX125 is in a different league to some other scooters on the market and you’d expect no less from Honda. Reliability shouldn’t be an issue and you have the benefit of an established dealer network to fall back on, should a problem arise.

Equipment

4 out of 5 (4/5)

You could be forgiven for thinking the Honda PCX 125 looks like it’s more about style than substance, but it does boast practicalities like an underseat storage bay big enough for a full-face lid, rider backrest and a decent-sized cubbyhole on the dash. Despite its small size there’s loads of leg-room too.

Specs

Engine size 125cc
Engine type liquid-cooled 4-stroke 2v single
Frame type tubular steel
Fuel capacity 6.2 litres
Seat height 761mm
Bike weight 124kg
Front suspension none
Rear suspension none
Front brake 220mm disc, 3-piston caliper
Rear brake 130mm drum
Front tyre size 90/90-14
Rear tyre size 100/90-14

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption 91 mpg
Annual road tax £25
Annual service cost £60
New price -
Used price £2,000
Insurance group 5 of 17
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance

Max power 11 bhp
Max torque 8.5 ft-lb
Top speed 70 mph
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range 125 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

Introduced 2010

Other versions

none

Owners' reviews for the HONDA PCX125 (2010 - 2013)

15 owners have reviewed their HONDA PCX125 (2010 - 2013) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your HONDA PCX125 (2010 - 2013)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 4.6 out of 5 (4.6/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Engine: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Reliability & build quality: 4.8 out of 5 (4.8/5)
Value vs rivals: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Equipment: 4.1 out of 5 (4.1/5)
Annual servicing cost: £60
5 out of 5
26 February 2017 by Mike

Year: 2016

Annual servicing cost: £46

Quick, comfy, practical and good looking what's not to like? Over 120 mpg is fantastic along with £15 a year tax and only £97 for insurance.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Comfy seat for me at 5'4". Goes over the bumps OK but does shoot you out of the seat if you hit bumps too hard. It's very easy to gain confidence and get plenty of lean angle early on in your riding experience. Combi brakes are very good although levers don't adjust for reach.

Engine 4 out of 5

Quick enough up to 40 ish then it gets a bit slower. I can't get above 65 on the flat as yet which is my only slight gripe. If it could do another 10 mph it would be perfect.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

It's a Honda so as reliable as anything. Not let me down so far. Quality is fine but one or two items have corroded quickly.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

£46 for the first service which is just an oil change I believe. I think tax is £15 but it was in with the cost. Insurance for me (43 first ever bike) is £97. Fuel costs £9 to fill up and I'm getting 125mpg indicated, I've never worked out how accurate it is because why would you?

Equipment 5 out of 5

One big dial showing speed, no rev counter. Fuel gauge is handy as is the 12v socket. Stop start is very good.

5 out of 5 comprehensive
15 January 2017 by Marty

Year: 2016

Annual servicing cost: £25

just great.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

never a single pproblem.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

oil and fluids

Equipment 4 out of 5

Buying experience: cool

4 out of 5
18 August 2016 by Gary Duke

Version: 2016 esp

Year: 2016

The bike with a taller screen givi screen and 46trl top box, ticks all my commuting needs. I travel in london on the a40 and a406 50 miles a day and get 150 MPG. New 4000 miles service intervals.

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Bike seems solid but the suspension is rubbish on the non adjustable rear shock.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 Cheap, Fun, Ideal commuter
25 July 2015 by danny smith

Year: 2012

Annual servicing cost: £110

I use this bike for CHEAP commuting. 18 miles each way. I have owned one a year now and covered over 5000 miles. Overall completely satisfied! Never had a problem. I do all the servicing myself it's so simple. It does in fact even tell you how to do it in the owners manual! Servicing is every 2500 miles but it only holds 0.6 litres of oil! I have just replaced the rear tyre at 5k miles £35 for Michelin city grip. Service packs I buy from blackpool Honda at £35 a time. The humped seat can sometimes become uncomfortable but it's not outrageous like some suggest or they would spend £130 on an uprated seat.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Again the quality is top notch. I really cant believe how good my buke still looks for how its gets treated. rode in the wet, mud everything. Once cleaned looks new again. Brakes are very good for the bike. Nothing amazing conpared to bigger bikes but its not. More then adequate!

Engine 5 out of 5

The engine pulls from standstill quicker then most cars. They soon disappear in the mirror. However any overtakes have to be preplanned with momentum as it runs out of puff. but you know this keeps things interesting and makes it more exciting! Its fun in everyway. Top speed is 65mph on the clocks. But that really is ambitious. Its more like 57 mph as mine can just creep past a lorry on an A road and they are governed at 56mph. And their speedos have to be callibrated

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Mine is kept outside with a cover. No paint fade and all the bolt ends are still shiny silver. The exhaust is starting to rust slightly but again so simple to replace. Everything else when cleaned looks new. Not bad for a bike that is completely abused!

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Most people will tell you how high the mpg can get. Mine is ridden flat out every day!! I always get 90mpg and that's true mpg from the pump. My bike is abused everyday but i do keep up with servicing. I wonder how it keeps going tbh

Equipment 4 out of 5

I can't give it a 5 star in equipment purely as it has no CLOCK and no 12volt socket. Other then that the space under the seat is great and mines also got a top box. weather protection is very good.

Buying experience: Mine was second hand. A year old with 452 miles in which I only paid £1700 for so very pleased.

4 out of 5 Zippy
18 October 2014 by dmorr

My wave 110 was in for a service so I had this as a courtesy bike for 50 miles. I agree with the other reviews. It holds a steady 60 so I would say its quite a reasonable dual carriageway tool plus the brakes and lights are good. The cautions I would give are that at 6ft I felt too big for it and the buffeting at speed was slightly worrying. The bike had a tall accessory windshield and I think thats what was causing the weaving which is a pity because otherwise it was zippy and a credible A, B road commuter.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
4 out of 5 Excellent on the whole
25 February 2013 by

First of all - two things I don't like: there's no kick start and the seat needs to be thumped really hard to make it engage with the catch. The sales guy drew my attention to this before I bought the scooter. So it's unlikely that I've got a Friday one. Then again, maybe I have. Who knows? Otherwise Honda's PCX125 is pretty much what the doctor ordered, though that engine cut-out thingy is a bit of a gimmick in my view. For the first few miles it had a habit of stopping the engine just when I needed to get going. So I switched it to 'idle' and it's been like that ever since. Fuel consumption is between 120-130mpg. But I am fairly light and don't go very fast - 50mph mostly. I have had it up to sixty for short bursts and it was eager to go faster. But 60 was breezy enough for me. The scooter is very refined, quiet and easy to ride. You think you're sitting on something that's cost a lot more. Although PCX125 suits me fine perhaps someone who uses it every day for commuting would need a bit more top-end speed for keeping up with the other traffic on dual-carriageways. But if that's the case, then maybe that person needs to think about buying a larger bike - a 250 probably. Whereas PCX125 is great for what it is. So, 'highly recommended'.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
4 out of 5 Very good in town
05 February 2013 by censuwine

The handling is exceptionally good compared to other scooters. It also scores highly on underseat storage. I am very pleased with it but there are the following points to consider: 1. The 14" wheels may be too small and thin for bumpy roads; 2. No kill switch; 3. No clock; 4. No kick start; 5. The screen is purely for aesthetic purposes; 6. The stop/start feature is, in my opinion, no more than a gimmick. It always seems to switch off just when you need to move away. 7. No convenient flat foot-board; 8. The fuel tank is very small but range is acceptable.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 3 out of 5
5 out of 5 Awesome little scoot
28 August 2012 by rumpleproofskin

I changed from a Suzuki VL 125 Intruder cruiser to the PCX and it was the best move I ever made. Amazing little bike. Handles well, it's nippy, so easy to operate and has loads of space, especially with an added Givi box. Smooth, quiet engine has plenty of grunt to get you off at the lights and it'll easily keep up with dual carriageway traffic. The only thing I'd change (in fact I have) is a different seat without the midway hump. It's uncomfortable for taller riders. Other than that, I can't recommend it enough.The engine even cuts out at the lights – how cool is that? After the motorcycle with it's jerky gears, awkward clutch, jerky throttle, oily chain, hot exhaust and bunjee rubber malarky for the shopping, this bike's a breeze. In fact I've come to the decision that motorbikes per se are a waste of time and still stuck in the dark ages when compared to cars. This scooter is closest to a car on two wheels.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
5 out of 5 Cracking Scooter
26 February 2012 by kwack636

Normally a big bike rider, I was a little worried the PCX would be too underpowered and lacking in fun for my liking. How wrong I was.. The PCX is a right laugh for blasting about town, it has enough sprint to see most four wheeled motors off the lights and enough grip to spark up the center stand on the bends. If I had to find one issue with the PCX, it would be the lack of top end speed. It could do with an extra 5-10 mph, just to keep up with modern traffic on a duel carriageway. Although these bikes retail at around £2500 from most Honda dealers, I found mine at 'The BikeShop' in Long Eaton (very good helpful guy's) for £1999 with 400 miles on the clock. Saving £500, and they even serviced it in the deal. So overall the PCX is a cool looking, zippy, eco friendly scooter that I am happy to own.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 Good commuter
28 August 2011 by Cardboardbox

I use the PCX for commuting. I am a new rider and really enjoy it. The stop/start is instant when you twist the throttle. The underseat storage is good and will take my wet gear, along with some clothing and a large packed lunch. I am over 6 foot and the bike easily carries me along. Two up its a bit of a squeeze but my wife and I have happily cruised up Cornish hills though a run at it is necessary to keep up with the traffic. I will cruise at 60mph but 65mph is the top end. The best mpg I have had is 114mpg, the worst 100mpg. My regular commute is along a dual carriageway with a limit of 70 and I feel okay. So far I have done 1000 miles, so yearly service should just about be okay. First service at 600 miles was £70. A good bit of kit so far.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
4 out of 5 Crap commuter
07 July 2011 by PCXOwner

Hi, thought i would disillusion all your pcx owners, this bike is great, however, if you use it as i do to commute at the rate of 250 miles a week then it will cost you over £130 per month to run, £120 very 2500 miles for servicing ( for warrenty should be done by dealer)very difficult to do tappets, strip of major body parts, a new tyre every 3800 miles at £96 a go,( my Victory vegas 6000 miles £130 on a buike 100 + bhp, 115ft/lb torque, 340kgs !!!) ONLY available via Honda, no one else does one ( pirelli not available until Sept !1 ) Rip off commuter rip off honda 103mpg is good, however my Ford c-max over 12500miles will be cheaper to run. Not a commuter then.....

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 1 out of 5
Equipment 3 out of 5
5 out of 5 Fantastic scooter
01 April 2011 by mrabrupt

Brilliant commuter - already 100+mpg and still running in ... screen available at http://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/accessories/pcx125/

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
4 out of 5 Great commuter
30 March 2011 by FalcoSL

A taller screen would help, but does anyone do one for this bike? Everyone I know, bikers and non-bikers alike, really like the looks and I rate the performance, especially around town. I'm very happy so far. Looking forward to checking the mpg (Sad, I know...)

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 So close to perfection
17 October 2010 by rlf3

No 12v socket, no handlebar mounted kill switch, light switch or pass switch, no clock, motor could be bigger. A cracking scooter though, I'm delighted with mine and can recommend it. An instant classic.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 An excellent scooter
03 October 2010 by CaptainFlashman

Just got one of these and I'm very pleased with it. It has very good acceleration and the combined breaks stop it very well in all conditions including in the wet. The 14" wheels make it very flickable.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
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