Honda Forza 125cc (NSS125).
So first let me tell you about myself as that’s going to help you understand why I went for this bike…. I am a large chap, that needs a large bike. I have ridden many bikes before from GPZ600 to TL1000’s and other sports bikes, but there is something that’s lovable about a Maxi Scooter that makes my knees weak (yep I am a sad chap).
I’ve owned a few scooters but I always loved and wanted to own the Honda Forza, but that love comes a high price tag, they’re not cheap at all. I normally save up to buy my bikes, or sell old items I no longer use to help towards the costs, but it was still a bike that was past a budget I could justify spending, so my wife did the unthinkable and took out a couple of grand loan and said its time to sell my old bike and get the Forza :O
So there I was, money in hand basically and able to finally buy one, I didn’t want a new one as the prices are close to £5000, and the prices of them with low milage and a year or two old were around the £3500 which is what I was aiming for. After a few weeks of searching a local Honda Dealer in Bournemouth had 2 in stock, being a distance from me, I could only go more by the photo’s and what the dealer said about them. Well I finally made my choice, and being from a dealer, made sure I was covered with some extra warranty and extras 🙂 and I handed my money over, and arranged a collection date.
The bike itself, let me clear this all up, I loved this bike for a while as I said above but I’ve never seen one in real life. My first impressions was damn she is a big girl, yep I know Maxi means larger but she stands out in front of most bikes, I am 6’1 and I tip toe this girl at stop lights. The Forza has very angled shape, it’s either a hate or love it styling; it takes a stance in the road and it will turn heads. Being a 125cc it uses pretty much the same platform from the 300 and the now 750 version, so when you look at it you think its a bigger bike than it is.
Honda have really gone to town on making this a luxury bike for road trips, from the adjustable screen height, to the 12v power adaptor, and the HUGE space under the seat for 2 full XL helmets. The seat is like a sofa, you can spend hours sat on it and its refreshing comfy, I can imagine passengers seat being just as good too. The controls are all were you need them, and the only issue I personally find is hitting the indicator cancel over the horn on it still.
As said above this is a luxury scooter and she really handles the miles on the road, she tears up 200 miles without thinking about, and though she is only a 125, she will do 70 mph all day long without missing a beat. She pulls like a train and I am a heavy lad, but she will get to 60 with no issues and then the last 10 takes a little more, but she gets there and she holds her own. The seating position is really good, with a higher foot area to stretch your legs or use the standard area for a more upright feel them to the riding position. The power that comes from this little 125cc is amazing, there seems a constant pull from it whatever speed you’re doing, even with the big person like myself riding it, it performs better than any other bike in it class.
I can say one thing now I’ve owned this bike and done a few thousand miles on her, she’s the best investment I made in a very long time, and every time I go out for a ride I end up wanting to go out for longer, she is so much fun in the twist and turns off country lanes, but just laps up the dual carriageways too.
Changes I have made to the bike so far….
I have added a dual camera DVR system to the bike to record all trips I take on her in case of an accident. Also I use the 3 inch screen as a rear view mirror, life saver are still always done too I’d like to point out. Added the Honda phone holder, great position this is fitted and helps for a GPS from my phone. Universal topbox, for extra storage, as you can never have enough. And some extra stickers, as we all know these add at least 10 mph to any bike 🙂 Upgraded exhaust (Leo Vance) and Upgrade brake levers.
Good Points
Size, road presence, you can’t be missed easily, great for a 125 learner.
Performance, it has plenty. Space for rider and Storage, so so much storage space.
Handling, great all-round handling for towns to country lanes.
MPG, yes it’s amazing around 120 mpg average.
Bad Points
Price, no question an expensive 125.
Lack of alarm as standard.
Price of the additional items like topbox and phone holder.
