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

Excellent Design

Suzuki scooters are known for their stylish designs that come in bold colors like blue, gray and black. It is evident in their sleek bodies and fantastic engines that can provide both a comfortable ride and an exhilarating performance. These scooters have a stepped seat and an adjustable backrest that will keep the rider comfortable through long distances. Suzuki scooters are also good for two. They have concave floorboards that would give both the rider and the passenger ample leg room. Suzuki scooters also have an impressive suspension as well as an aerodynamic fairing that will provide the rider with a lot of protection from the wind.

Suzuki scooters also come with a lighted underseat storage compartment as well as three other front compartments that are within the rider’s reach. Not only does it provide comfort during trips, stores the rider’s things in strategic locations. The front compartments can hold keys or change that the rider can easily access when he needs it. The underseat compartment can hold bigger items as well as things that he would like to secure.

User-friendly and Efficient

Suzuki scooters have liquid-cooled engines that do not make a lot of noise and can offer strong acceleration. They also use an advanced fuel injection system that can make it easy to steer. Even better, they come with an automatic clutch and v-belt that would produce a smooth and effortless acceleration. It also has a great set of breaks will never let the rider down. Using this scooter will also lessen gas expenses. It has a mileage of 75 miles per gallon. With the increasing price of gasoline, this should be a very big consideration.

Durable and Reliable

Most of the people who have used Suzuki scooters are very satisfied. According to these Suzuki users, their scooter has never let them down. Most of their scooters are more than two years old. And, they have traveled a lot of worry-free miles using these vehicles. Aside from a change of tire after around months of use, no other repairs have been done on their scooters yet. A lot of users also commended this product for having a very tightly capped oil gasket that does not leak at all. In fact, one user even mentioned that he could take his Suzuki scooter in the living room after use.

The best thing about Suzuki scooters is the price. With such a fantastic list of qualities, one will find the price too good to be true. It will literally give the customer a bang for his buck. Its 400 cc scooters, for example, cost as low as $6,000 which is cheap when compared with the prices of other high-end scooters. With their low prices, impressive performance and beautiful designs, what more can one ask for?

SOURCE: MSOKOREA.COM

Three-wheeled vehicles, especially scooter-like vehicles, have become rather popular in recent years, with a plethora of companies turning out examples, including Piaggio, Brudeli and Peugeot. Now AutoMoto has tossed its hat into the ring with a unique twist: a three-wheeler that leans.

Not the first by any means, nor likely to be the last, the AutoMoto tilts much like the Carver One. In fact, aside from its open sides and more upright layout, the AutoMoto shares a great deal with the Carver, including its one-two front-rear wheel layout. Many other three-wheelers put two wheels up front and one in the rear.

The company promises 83mpg in typical conditions from the 150cc engine and CVT transmission, and priced at $3,800 it fits the bill in terms of overall cost as well. The rather small 2.1 gallon fuel tank limits range to just 160mi (255km), however.

The AutoMoto’s intended niche is high-efficiency commuting for its native market of Californians, possibly explaining the rather loose interpretation of ‘all-weather’ applied to its open-sided cabin. The vehicle can hold two, seated in a tandem motorcycle configuration, and also has as lockable cargo storage area plus speakers and MP3 compatibility.

Because of its unique layout and structure, many American states don’t require a motorcycle license or a helmet to drive the AutoMoto, opening up a wide potential market.

Fans of the three-wheeled scooter or motorcycle will recall Honda’s Gyro, which has been on the market for over 25 years, and features a similar canopy in addition to a leaning body and one-up-front, two-in-back wheel layout.

The AutoMoto three-wheeler is expected to go on sale in the early part of this year.

SOURCE: MOTOR AUTHORITY