Boon Siew Honda launched two new scooters earlier today which is their youthful 108cc Honda Spacy and the more established-looking 153cc Honda PCX. Both have automatic transmissions, which means all you need to do is twist and shout for more ‘go’ that’s perfect for newcomers to the two-wheeled scene and for those who’d prefer less hassle when riding on the roads.
Both the Honda Spacy and PCX have garnered popularity in Europe, America and especially in and around Asia thanks to their easy-to-ride practicality and fuel economy that allows their riders to enjoy the thrill of riding their two-wheeled stead.
The RM4,999 (OTR with 1 year comprehensive single rider insurance) Honda Spacy has been specifically designed for the young and trendy with the availability of 4 liveries in the form of Pearl Metalloid White, Magellanic Black, Luminous Orange (available in March 2013) and Euphoria Red Metallic and will also come with a warranty period of 2 years or 20,000km, whichever comes first.
The Spacy’s 4-stroke, 108cc single-cylinder OHC motor has been tweaked for better performance that’s good for 8bhp at 8,000rpm and 8.27Nm of torque at 6,500rpm and gets mated to a CVT gearbox for smooth and uninterrupted power delivery to get its 99kg heft up to speed. And Honda praises the Spacy for being able to deliver a fuel economy rating of up to 41.5km/L, while complying with Euro II emission standards that’s based on the ECE40 Mode Test.
A single disc for the front and a drum brake for the rear handles stopping activities, while the Spacy rides on 14″ light-weight rims wrapped by tubeless 80/90 (front) and 90/90 (rear) tyres to help take you as far as its 5.2L fuel tank can sustain – good for an estimated yield of about 150km.
Up front, the Spacy gets two fixed head lights on the body, while another all-seeing headland resides at the top to help give greater visibility during night runs and we all know how important the helmet is to the two-wheeled fraternity and the growing popularity for using full-faced helmets instead of half or three-quarter ones for that matter. In this instance, the Spacy’s underseat compartment is able to securely store a full-faced helmet with the availability of an 18L U-Box (Utility Box) right next to the fuel cap.
Other noticeable positive attributes would be its slightly larger floor panel, wider seat and the availability of a two front inner boxes that will be able hold onto a 500ml water bottle or some small nick-nacks. And the best part is, you can even manage those nick-nacks with both hands without having the need to hang on to one of the brake levers, simply because you’ve got yourself a brake-lock on the left handle bar (rear brake) to help hold your scooter in place. All one needs to do is pull on the rear brake, then pull on the lever while the rear brake is held and you’ve got yourself an activated brake-lock – to help prevent newbie riders from accidentally throttling themselves precariously forward.
Another plus point is also the availability of a Side Stand Switch that automatically shuts down the motor once the kick-stand is lowered. But if riding at night is a must, it can often get a little difficult to see that key-hole that’s got a magnetic key-hole shutter for theft deterrence and it’s also been made to glow in the dark.
The Honda PCX on the other hand is very much the opposite of the Spacy, being larger and down-right boring in its colour-schemes from a distance – you’ll literally need to step much closer in order to appreciate the PCX’s stunning paint job, but for now, it would be the more mature audience who would show the PCX the love and appreciation it deserves.
And while it does seem to attract a more mature audience, so too will they be able to afford the PCX’s RM10,688 (OTR) price tag with the same warranty offerred on the Spacy – 2 years or 20,000km, whichever comes first.
However, though the price of the PCX allows you two choice colours of Pearl Magellanic Black and Radiate Grey Metallic to drape it with, a third colour choice of Pearl Metalloid White can also be had for an additional RM20othat’ll now add a ‘Prestige’ badge upon your scooter as well as a pink-wrapped seat and the word “Deluxe variant” in your final bill of RM10,888 (OTR).
The PCX would be the first scooter with a CVT transmission to possess Honda’s Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) system that helps provide for a more complete combustion from its 153cc, single-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled SOHC motor that’s been infused with enhanced Smart Power (eSP). This helps in providing improved output efficiency, greater durability and quieter operation thanks to the employment of a host of low-friction technologies.
The PCX’s motor is capable of putting out about 13bhp at 8,500rpm and 14Nm of torque at 5,250rpm that’s coupled to a CVT gearbox as well and though it comes with a dry weight that’s 23kg more at 124kg, it’s able to provide 50.2km/L in terms of fuel consumption. However, the PCX still has another trick up its sleeve, having been outfitted with an Idling Stop Sytem that helps you shut down your motor when its been left idlling for about 3 seconds. Ofcourse you don’t need to engage the electric starter once more, all you need do is give it a little twist and the motor comes back to operation quite instantly and smoothly – minus the typical noise from the starter gear engagement or meshing. This should help to prolong the use of your 5.9L fuel tank capacity. Putting down the kick-stand may also shut-down your engine, but this means you’ll need to go through a prolonged start-up if say the lights were to suddenly turn green.
Stopping power comes from the the use of the Combined Brake System (CBS) which operates between the front disc or three-piston caliper and rear drum to equalise braking pressure and the PCX gets 14″ alumium wheels with tubeless tyres wrapped by 90/90 (front) and 100/90 (rear) tyres.
Sitting atop the PCX will definitely be a comfortable sensation, having been made rather plush and if you gave your eyes down to the instrument cluster, you’ll be happy to note that a small LCD panel has been incorporated into the instrument cluster, adding to higher levels of legibility as well as visibility and if you gaze further down, you’ll find the fuel flap that’s actuated by a press of a button, which will pop the flap open.
Through the use of the same switch, you can even unlock your seat to reveal a rather large 25L U-Box that can store a single full-face helmet or more and a small stowage compartment has also be provided to help you store your stylish sun glasses or perhaps your riding gloves.
For more information, you could visit www.boonsiewhonda.com.my or give them a call on their toll-free number: 1800-88-3993 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm, except on public holidays).
Honda PCX
Honda Spacy
