Honda’s SH125 has been a massive sales success in Europe and with the tweaked 2009 version, looks like it could do well in the UK too.

If you want the best possible economy you’ll do better with a proper 125cc motorcycle with gears instead of a power-sapping auto transmission, but for convenience and easy riding, the SH is as good as it gets.

In its previous incarnation the SH125 has been busy been busy selling more than anything else in Europe, though plenty of Brits will be wondering why: surely with those big 16inch wheels, the SH is something grandma would use to pop down the chemist and get a new supply of leg support bandage?

More fool us for thinking that way, and not because sports bikes used to have 16 inch wheels, but much more simply, because big wheels mean better stability and improved ride quality over the littler ones you get on scooters that our home-grown trendies prefer.

There are other changes for 2009 including a rear disc brake in place of the old drum, a change made as much for cosmetic reasons as any real issues with the outgoing stopper, and style is the motivation behind the rest of the update. Despite its popularity the old SH was criticized for its odd looks, the face in particular, so these has been seriously revised, and it’s been done very effectively too. The visage is more pleasing with better integrated curves, while the rear bodywork has sophisticated, swooping lines that give the SH an air of class.

The engine, transmission and frame are unchanged, but nothing wrong with that as the power pick-up is very smooth, making U-turns and traffic trickling easy, vibration is almost non-existent and performance is pretty strong too.

Honda also tells us the SH has very good emissions figures and economy, although the numbers it supplies don’t mean much so it’s hard to be persuaded. Fuel consumption for example is quoted as 97mpg, but no speed or conditions are given so this is pretty useless really. I did a check myself and managed around 85mpg with a lot of stop-start riding in town and flat out on country roads so that’s a more useful number than Honda’s.

What you do get of course is the jam-busting ability of a scooter, along with Honda reliability and build quality (which on the SH is leagues ahead of most other scooters).

SOURCE: MOTORCYCLE NEWS

That’s right, Consumer Reports has tested two groups of scooters (50cc and 125-150cc) and a pair of 250cc motorcycles. Last summer, there was tremendous reader interest in two-wheel commuting alternatives, inspiring our auto team to develop a test program for evaluating affordable and entry-level choices.

The tested scooters include the Honda Ruckus, Motorino Allegro from China, and Vespa LX 50 from Italy. The larger engine class included the Kymco People 150 from Taiwan, Yamaha Vino 125, and Vespa LX 150. For motorcycles, we tested two popular, entry-level choices, the Honda Rebel and Kawasaki Ninja.

Scooters and motorcycles require different skills to operate than cars and provide nowhere near the safety of even the smallest car. (See our video scooter buyer’s guide.) Best proceed with caution and carefully consider if the compromises and costs are worth the potential fuel savings, parking convenience, and admittedly, the fun.

Scooters and motorcycles

Last year, sales of motor scooters and small motorcycles skyrocketed as consumers went looking for economical transportation. Readers, too, have been clamoring for information, so we decided to conduct our first evaluation of two-wheelers since 1981.

We tested six scooters and two similarly priced, entry-level motorcycles and found that their fuel economy is impressive, ranging from 60 to 100 mpg at a steady cruise. The prices are also attractive, ranging from less than $1,000 to $4,400. And the best are fun to ride.

But the most fuel-efficient scooters can be ridden only up to about 35 to 40 mph, and no scooter with less than a 250cc engine is suitable for freeways. Only two scooters had better gas mileage than a Toyota Prius in city driving. Carrying capacity is very limited. And weather and road conditions greatly impact the riding experience.

There’s a high probability of serious injury with motorcycles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2006 motorcyclists were about 37 times more likely to die in a crash per driven mile than someone riding in a passenger car.

The basics

Novices will find scooters easier to ride than motorcycles. They’re simpler to get on and off, the riding position is similar to sitting in a chair, and their transmissions don’t have to be shifted manually.

We tested two groups of scooters. One group included three entry-level models (available to subscribers) with small 50cc engines: the Honda Ruckus, the Motorino Allegro from China, and the Vespa LX 50 from Italy. Prices ranged from $995 to $3,299. With limited power, those models are easy to handle and are among the least expensive. And in some states, they don’t require licensing.

The other group (available to subscribers) included three models with 125cc to 150cc engines: the Kymco People 150 from Taiwan, the Yamaha Vino 125, and the Vespa LX 150. They have more reserve power and higher top speeds, which benefit them in traffic. Prices ranged from $2,799 to $4,399.

Our two motorcycles (available to subscribers), the Honda Rebel and Kawasaki Ninja, have more powerful 250cc engines, making them suitable for highway riding. But their manual transmissions and higher performance require more skill to handle well. They also sacrifice practicality by having no storage. Prices were $3,399 and $3,999, respectively.

Bottom line

Scooters and motorcycles require different skills to operate than cars and provide nowhere near the safety of even the smallest car. But they can be a fun and fuel-efficient way to get around town when weather permits. Parking is easy, and gas mileage is far better than that of most cars. To minimize risk, professional instruction is a must for new riders, as is protective gear. Registration and licensing laws vary by state, so check before buying. Also, make sure parts and service are easily available.

SOURCE: CONSUMER REPORTS