Honda Forza 125 ABS, road test 2015

Honda Forza 125 ABS: What are you aiming for? a mainly automotive audience this is demonstrated by the fact that the Paris car show was chosen for its debut last year and not the Cologne motorbike show which was taking place at the same time. However, what makes the new Honda Forza 125 one of the most interesting scooters in its segment is its "grown-up" appearance and its propensity for extra-urban, GT use. Despite being a 125, it offers a very interesting package, a perfect look, a record load capacity (two full-face helmets can be stored under the saddle and there is still space left over), but also very good performance thanks to the 15 horsepower, with a decent starting point from a standstill and a maximum speed that would allow it to travel on ring roads and motorways without problems, if only the regulations allowed it. We made some journeys of over 60 kilometres, traveling really comfortably, with the only concern being to find a route permitted for vehicles of this engine size.

Aesthetics and finishes:

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Maxi look, top quality

The absence of any logo or writing with the displacement does not appear to be accidental. The Forza 125 wants to be a 125 with a maxi look and it succeeds really well. If you consider that during the test period many people mistook it for a medium-sized scooter, some even mistaken it for the sportiest of maxi scooters, the result seems to have been achieved. However, we are not faced with a clumsy attempt with a lot of plastic to give it the desired volumes, but with a real 125 maxi scooter, whose engine we will see does not even have a problem carrying its 159 kg in running order. Perhaps it is the first time that we are faced with a 125 with these characteristics. Full LED headlights and quality that would be the envy of many scooters with larger displacements, even from the most renowned manufacturers. The comparison with the medium-sized competitors (to which it comes close with its list price) holds up without any problem, indeed, in many aspects the Forza 125 comes out on top in terms of equipment and quality. It winks at the motoring public, therefore at those who only have a B licence, as is normal for a 125, with the plus of truly complete equipment: ABS, Start&Stop and much more. The instrument panel, for example, clearly has an automotive appearance, with two circular instruments and a display that lists the data, including that of the average consumption, divided between the two partial trips, as well as the instantaneous one. The ignition lock is equipped with a protection system to prevent rain and bad weather from damaging the lock and, positioned on the intermediate click between the on and off position, activates the two buttons to open the saddle and access the tank, with an electric control. The compartment is well finished, of excellent dimensions (48 liters, two full-face helmets can comfortably fit) and with a convenient side space for storing small objects. In addition to remaining open on its own, it has a very convenient bulkhead that can be used in as many as 4 positions to divide the large amount of space available as you see fit. In fact, it has two slots and is asymmetrical. In the front position it can be placed in two different configurations based on the direction in which it is positioned, a shape on the bottom of the compartment keeps it firmly in position. The fourth option is without a bulkhead, in order to use the entire compartment in its entire extension. Another front compartment on the left side of the rear shield, very deep and equipped with 12 volt socket it allows you to store objects while driving, while it is recommended to empty it when you stop, as there is no lock to close it. In general, the feeling that you get from the first glance, and which is pleasantly confirmed by looking at it more closely, is that the Forza 125 was created without saving anything. The level of finish, attention to detail and quality of materials and plastic couplings are aligned with those of the flagship medium and large displacement models. Just to give some examples, the mirrors they are really well made and with integrated direction indicators, the double coloring it is another detail that confirms the care and attention dedicated to a product that wants to position itself above all the other 125s. Aerodynamic protection and ergonomics are also well thought out, you are comfortable and well protected thanks to the fairing and the fairing / windshield manually adjustable in 6 positions, with an excursion of 120 mm between the highest and the lowest.

Engine and performance:

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Record reach and good starting point

That the new Honda Forza 125 wants to be at the top of its segment cannot only be seen from an aesthetic point of view. In fact, the engine is no exception and shows off 15 horsepower (11 kW) expressed at 8.750 rpm. It is the maximum that can be approved for a 125. Often some 150s can't do that much and, also for this reason, it seemed absurd to us that one could travel with a scooter like this even for a short stretch of the ring road (let's hope that sooner or later this long-awaited change to the highway code will arrive). The 125cc unit is liquid-cooled, with distribution 4-valve single overhead camshaft and offers, thanks also to an adequate calibration of the transmission, the maximum thrust at all speeds. Power therefore allows it a good idea, superior to its competitors even with a rather large size, but above all a significant reach. The Forza 125 quickly increases speed up to around 110 km/h indicated, then settles down to around 120. In slightly downhill sections it manages to do even better, stopping only for the limiter placed above 10.500 rpm, at almost 130 km/h indicated. It certainly doesn't lack performance, but the advantages of the engine don't stop there. The eSP (enhanced Smart Power) engine it is in fact modern and with unparalleled efficiency. For example, it is equipped with a detail ACG starter motor, brushless and designed to guarantee instant, smooth and silent starting. An excellent “companion” of the system Start&Stop, another detail that the Forza 125 has in common with recently produced cars. To those who are skeptical we immediately say that we we find it even more useful on a scooter than on a car. At the traffic light it goes off a few moments after stopping and you just need to press on the gas to set off without any delay or jolt, very smoothly indeed. You save fuel, but you also avoid vibrations and the heat developed by the engine when you are stationary, really top marks. A button on the handlebar allows you to exclude it, but we honestly don't see the reason to do so. Perfect for urban use, the Forza 125 is perhaps the best example to demonstrate (if there is still a reason) that a modern 125 is more than suitable for traveling too, therefore to be able to circulate on motorways and roads currently only permitted for motorcycles of at least 149cc, who knows when the code will finally allow it…

Ride and handling:

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Comfort and safety in the city and beyond

Let's start with the two most important things for a scooter of this displacement, which is especially suitable for use by motorists with only a B license for the home-office journey and as a means of moving more comfortably and quickly compared to a 'car: comfort and safety. The new Forza 125 excels in this too. 2-channel ABS as standard which manages a braking system equipped with a 256 mm front disc and a 240 rear disc, calipers and two and one piston. Thanks to the rather soft, but not excessively compliant chassis, it guarantees braking that is always safe and inexperienced on two wheels, just “hang” on the levers (here we find a small flaw of the Forza 125, because the effort required is not the most contained when you want to break away hard) and rely on the anti-lock. In this we side with electronics and believe that it is not mandatory to purchase a three-wheeled scooter to guarantee good safety even for those who have not always been motorcyclists. The Honda Forza 125 also has it on its side abundant rubber, which almost makes you feel the passage on a rail and does not put you in crisis. Wheels of different sizes have been adopted between the front and rear, with a 15 inch in front and a 14 in back, combined respectively with 120/70 and 140/70 tyres. The so-called low wheels give it at least two positive characteristics: they allow the space taken from the compartment under the saddle to be contained and guarantee greater stability of high-wheeled scooters at high speeds. The Forza 125 is indeed very stable even in curves taken at maximum speed, where a high wheel is often not free from some dangerous swings and wobbles. In terms of comfort, the driving position is excellently designed. The saddle is comfortable and with aheight from the ground contained in 780 mm, a detail that makes it easy in traffic and in maneuvers when stationary, the 159 kg weight in running order and with a full tank of petrol (a very low figure compared to the direct competition) are well balanced and are not noticeable even by moving it in parking phase. The leg spaces are designed for even tall pilots you travel well protected. The fairing rises laterally to offer protection to the legs, while the windshield can be raised by 12 cm to cover the entire driver very well, including the head. In short, the new Forza 125 raises the bar in its market segment thanks to excellent comfort, but above all because, also thanks to the ABS and an always fluid and never abrupt delivery, It is easy to drive even without having experience on two wheels.

Price and consumption:

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It charges the right amount and offers negligible consumption

The list price of the Forza 125 is 4.590 euros, not exactly a small number for a "small" 125, but amply justified by its contents, equipment and characteristics. We are faced with a maxi scooter with a 125 engine, moreover with record performance and efficiency. With the technologies used for the Forza 125, including the Start&Stop system, but also by reducing internal friction, Honda promises negligible consumption, with a declared figure of an impressive 43,5 km/l in the WMTC average cycle. If anyone is sceptical, we can give you a fact that is even more surprising for us: without saving a thousandth of the engine the maximum consumption that can be achieved is however 30 km per liter! If, however, you take a more careful pace, you can even do better than the declared figure. At a fixed 70 km/h, for example, you are approaching the threshold of 50 per liter. The 11,5 liter tank they therefore translate into one autonomy never less than 350 km, except with careful use it can even reach 500. The new Honda Forza 125 is available in Italy in three colors: that of the specimens in these photos, Matt Pearl Cool White / Matt Pearl Pacific Blue and then Matt Cynos Gray Metallic and Matt Pearl Cool White / Black. A 4-year warranty is included in the price.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Versatile and comfortable in any context, excellent performance in the 125 segment, refined and successful look
We do not like it:
Challenging price for its displacement, effort on the levers during braking can be improved

Honda Forza 125 ABS: the Motorionline Report Card

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Sony A7 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera Test Photo with 3,5-5,6mm FE F28-70 OSS Lens
Test clothing:
Jacket: Dainese Washington Jacket
Trousers: Dainese Jeans Prattville
Gloves: Dainese Blackjack black
Shoe: Stylmartin Sunset
Helmet: Nolan N21 Visor