SUZUKI ADDRESS 125 (2023 - on) Review

With Suzuki steering away from large capacity motorbike racing and now fully committed to the green revolution and smaller capacity two-wheelers, it’s no surprise that they have hit the nail on the head when it comes to the Address.

Fun, nimble, stylish, a fantastic fuel economy and some nice attention to detail make it the perfect fit for the short-run, urban environment and its simple twist-and-go throttle feels sharp off the line - perfectly suited to urban riding, where short, stop-start commuting is the focus.

Out on the open road the Address can comfortably cruise at up to 60mph and remains stable at those speeds despite its 12in front and 10in rear wheels.

The single cylinder air-cooled 124cc unit is quiet but lively (during the first 200 metres) with peak torque being reached at 6500rpm, which gives the rider confidence when pulling out of junctions or zipping into the traffic gaps on a roundabout.

The riding position is typically upright with ample space in the footwell for the biggest boots. Wind protection from the waist down is more than adequate as the traditionally styled front bodywork deflects wind around the rider. There is no fly screen to deflect wind over the rider’s helmet but due to the Address’s targeted urban environment where 30mph is the speed limit, it does not become an issue.

There are a few modern styling touches such as an LED headlight and two running lights fitted vertically down the front fairing. The Address's style grew on me over the course of the day as the humble Vespa-esque lines don’t promise anything the Address cannot deliver.

Suzuki also released the Avenis 125cc, which has the same chassis and engine as the Address but encased in angular, aggressive bodywork. It may look like a sportier and more capable machine, but other than some minor ergonomic differences it rides and handles identically to the Address.

A large, analogue speedometer dominates the dash and is easy to read and again suits the bike stylistically. This is flanked either side by an LCD segment showing basic rider information such as fuel level, indicators and high beam indicator.

The Address’s suspension is harder than I was expecting, meaning potholes and speed bumps are more noticeable, but that does not equate to a poor ride as the fat, plush seat soaks up most of the bumps urban roads can throw at it.

The engine, slung low in the steel frame, keeps the centre of gravity close to the ground increasing its stability and making quick direction changes seem effortless. The large analogue speedometer is easy to read and surprisingly hit 60mph with relative ease on the out-of-town routes.

Flanking the speedometer are two blue lights that turn green when the Address is running at maximum economy, although with your eyes on the road this seems more like a gimmick than a useful feature.

The other information such as indicator, high beam and engine warning lights are simple and clean running each side of the green economy lights while the odometer - featuring two trip modes - battery voltage and the time is displayed at the bottom of the display.

As with most scooters the footwell offers a ton of room allowing several different foot placements which adds to the overall comfort. The mirrors are functional with little of the rider caught in the view although they sit a lot closer to the rider than those on a regular motorcycle so take a little time to get used to.

Manoeuvrability comes with ease, and just a quick push on the handlebar sends the Address left or right. At 105kg there isn’t a lot to move, which will suit smaller riders. The more you lean the Address over, however, the more unpredictable it feels although some of that may be down to the Dunlop D307N tyres that come as standard.

The brake set-up on the Address is solely lever controlled with the conventional right lever working just the front 190mm disc brake while the left-hand lever activates the combined braking system bringing the rear 120mm drum brake into action.

While the front brake is sufficient, if not totally confidence inspiring, the combined system brings the braking to a different level and feels strong. This will give new riders peace of mind that the Address can come to a quick and controlled stop in damp conditions or to avoid danger. Under hard braking the Address remained stable and predictable.

There is no fly screen, so the wind hits the rider’s upper chest and helmet head on but at urban speeds Is not an issue. On the open road the rider’s legs are well protected from the wind and slight rain is blown around the rider’s lower half.

There is a lot of tech crammed into the 124cc Suzuki Eco Performance engine (SEP), which makes its debut in the UK, having been tried and tested in five million scooters sold in the Asia and Latin American markets.

To achieve the claimed 148mpg and comply with Euro5 emissions regulations the fuel is injected into a slightly curved intake port which propels the air/fuel mixture into a swirl like motion which, Suzuki say, effectively disperses the mixture and controls combustion speed resulting in lean burning and increased combustion efficiency.

The tech continues with an M shaped combustion chamber where the point of the M ‘squishes’ the air/fuel mixture towards the spark plug’s ignition point.

The spark plugs are high ignition nickel type which have a thin, protruding electrode which allows combustion to occur centrally in the combustion chamber, again increasing efficiency.

Further efficiency increasing features include an intake valve which features a two-layer chamfer and waist stem and a high compression ratio of 10.3:1, paired with a relatively long stroke. So, what does this all mean when on the road? Well the scooter picks up well with all of its torque delivered at the lower end of the rev range.

There is still that slight delay between twisting the throttle and the Address taking off, as the centrifugal forces build to engage the clutch, but it is just a blink of an eye and nothing that requires the rider to wait at a roundabout for an extra-large window before pulling out.

Within a town setting the Address is as quick and as nimble as anything on the road up to the 30mph limit and when out on more open roads the engine propelled this 13 stone rider to 60mph with no complaints.

Vibration is minimal to non-existent at all speeds and this version of the Address reaches the 200-metre mark 14.4 metres before both the old Address 110 and the soon to arrive Burgman Street 125cc scooters reach the same finish line.

The Address is the entry level scooter of the three new models which will feature the SEP engine but still shares many of the other scooters' features. The Avenis, also test ridden in March 2023 is exactly the same under a more angular and modern exterior.

The Bergman Street 125 will be released later this spring and features a modified version of the same SEP engine with start stop technology.
The seat on the Address is large and plush and the analogue speedometer with LCD surround is all more than adequate for its purpose. Bodywork is a well fitted and is available in three colours, blue, red and white.

The Dunlop tyres are a good brand and come as standard while the USB port, centre stand and under-seat storage are all useful additions.
The one touch start is also included and worked perfectly throughout the test day with many stops and starts over the four hours of riding.

The Address will retail at £2499, which after a £500 deposit will cost £66.48 per month with a 9.9% APR on a HP contract. The total cost adds up to £2893.28. The Address will fall between level three and six on the insurance scale depending on the provider. A tank will cost £7.25p to fill and will give you 163 miles of range which equates to 22.5p per mile.

With the level of engine tech and standard features the Address is very competitive. A Vespa Primavera 125 - the Italian brand's cheapest 125cc model - starts at £4550, the Honda SH125 Mode is £3049, while the Lexmoto Titan 125cc is £1999.

The Suzuki Address comes with a three-year warranty and a large dealer network for servicing and parts.

Like all scooters the Address is about practicality and as such offers a roomy 21.8 litre under seat storage space. Although only big enough for a faceless helmet it nonetheless offers ample storage options.

There is also a ‘bag hook’ located on the front panel above the rider’s feet to secure shopping carrier bags. While a lockable helmet hook is located under the front of the seat and is unlocked by releasing the seat.

A USB port located in the left sided storage compartment is a handy and practical addition and provides a little weather protection during light rain. A centre stand allows the bike to be worked on and is easily released. A side stand offers practical parking options for use around town.

The one touch start is a convenient feature, and the ignition is kept secure by a metal shutter that is opened by a magnet integrated into the rider’s key. The ignition also is used to open the under-seat storage compartment so there is no need to remove the key to unlock it.

A LED headlight and front indicators are standard while the rear combined unit uses conventional bulbs which are bright even in the sun. A 27-litre top box which could accommodate a full-face helmet, is available as an optional accessory.