Potential Newbie - with questions!

[Kenno]

Hi all,

I've been reading up on the PCX for a while, but still have a few questions I can't seem to find answers to, so I was hoping somebody here may be able to help?! ..

I've been considering getting a PCX for commuting since realising that the current finance offer (in the UK) is the same amount I'm paying on tunnel fees alone (£3.40 return for cars - motorbikes/scooters are free).

My commute's 8 miles each way. The maximum speed limit on the route is 40, but the various lights, junctions and amount of traffic means there's a lot of stop/start driving. So, I'm thinking the PCX would be the perfect tool for the job here? The only thing I'm a bit worried about is that I'm 17 stone (although that's slowly on it's way down!) - is that going to have a massive effect on performance? The journey's quite hilly too.

I'm not too fussed on top end speed. I doubt I'l be needing to hit 60 very often, but I wondered if the acceleration and general performance is affected a lot by weight and hills - I'm guessing the claimed 0-50 in 5.4 seconds is going to suffer, but am I still going to be able to beat the cars at the lights etc? The tunnel itself will usually require a bit of acceleration from 30-45/50ish on a hill - is it going to cope there?

I went to the Honda dealership last weekend and had a sit on one. I was concerned it would be too small for me (I'm 6' 2") but it seemed to be fine. There was also a Honda S-Wing which seemed a bit comfier perhaps, but I'm thinking the extra size would just make it slower and more cumbersome in traffic than the PCX? The dealer said it was more powerful than the PCX though and the specs say it has 9.7kw compared to 8.6kw of the PCX (the PCX has more torque 12Nm vs 11.1, and is lighter at 130kg vs 158), so I don't know if I should be considering the S-Wing too? Does anyone have experience of both?

Sorry for the long first post and all the questions - I've never ridden a scooter before and obviously can't take a test ride before buying, so it's a tricky decision! I've got more questions - about security and clothing etc. but maybe I'll get to them another time!

Thanks in advance for any input!

[you you]

It'll be fine

[gn2]

The S-wing is a top end luxury GT class machine, but for a commute of just 8 miles the extra comfort of the S-wing may not be worth paying the extra for.
Don't overlook the SH125i, the inclusion of ABS is a significant plus point over the PCX, as are the larger wheels.
The SH and the PCX are possibly better suited to slicing through congested traffic and the S-wing better out of town.

[Kenno]

Thanks. To be honest I hadn't considered the SH (based purely on looks) but I'll read up on it. Think I'd like ABS!
So is rhe S-wing just bigger and comfier, but not necessarily faster?

[Urbanfreestyle]

I ride my PCX 125 daily for work here in the UK, mostly up and down hill, runs fine and hapily pulls 45-50 uphill with me (6ft2 and about 13st)
acelleration is ample to pull away from cars unless they expect that's what you'll do and then they quickly overtake you! lol

[iceman]

I was interested in the SHi125 (2013 version with same engine as PCX - Esp) but it is higher up so some people cannot place their feet comfortably on the floor and internal storage is not that great - but it comes with the back-box included.

[Kenno]

I ride my PCX 125 daily for work here in the UK, mostly up and down hill, runs fine and hapily pulls 45-50 uphill with me (6ft2 and about 13st)
acelleration is ample to pull away from cars unless they expect that's what you'll do and then they quickly overtake you! lol

Aha, so the acceleration should be ok for me, as long as my extra 4 stone doesn't affect it too much. I'll buy a really light helmet to compensate!

How have you found the leg room/position? The PCX felt fine for the few seconds I was sat on it (one leg at a time!), but the S-Wing did seem to give me a bit more space. Not sure if I need it though.

[Kenno]

I was interested in the SHi125 (2013 version with same engine as PCX - Esp) but it is higher up so some people cannot place their feet comfortably on the floor and internal storage is not that great - but it comes with the back-box included.

Having the back box would be another plus point - the S-Wing has one too. I'll be carrying my laptop a lot of the time, but was just going to stick it in a backpack. a box would be handier though.

I'm guessing I'd be ok with the height of it. Might fit me better actually, and the step through is handier for carrying stuff, but it's just the look of it I wasn't keen on. Need to take a proper look at one!

[Urbanfreestyle]

It's a little close but livable with. i will be looking at de-humping the seat or moving it further back. You get used to it. Ridden 50 miles in one go and not had any issues with it. my daily commute is around 5 miles.

[Kenno]

Thanks, it sounded like the seat hump was going to be a problem for me, but then found out the new one doesn't have it, so I can sit a bit further back although there's a definite indentation in the seat so I might not be able to move back too much.

[Urbanfreestyle]

yeah the 2015 is indeed humpless. See how you fair with prices as you can get humpless seats cheap(ish) online and sell your old one or modify and re-cover yours... The decision is yours.

[kramnala58]

Welcome to the forums.

Nothing you have communicated in your questions suggests that the PCX won't do the trick. I have a PCX125 and weighed 16 stones (now at 15 stones) when I got mine. You may lose a little bit of speed and/or power on the hills, depending on how steep they are, but nothing too serious.

[SECoda]

I test rode both the 2013 and 2015 with the new seat in the US for quite a bit of time each and they both were uncomfortable for me after a while because of lack of padding/shape/indentation in the front area rather than just the hump/no-hump. I ordered a replacement for my 2013 that is thick padded and a little less pronounced at the front. If the reviewers were honest it should be a huge improvement for long rides. I will report when it arrives from wetbike.

[Kenno]

Thanks all, that pretty much settles it. PCX it is!
I'll see how I get on with the seat. Should only be on it for half an hour or so at a time mostly so might be ok how it is.
Now I've made my mind up, I've got a couple more questions but I'll ask them in new threads so I'm not confusing things.

[buddy1976]

At 20 stone i have pcx 125 2013, uphill it slows to around 45-50 with stock set up. after installing a performance variator for around £100 it now climbs most hills at 55-60 and has a max down hill speed of 78mph on the speedometer with much improved acceleration. Just FOOD for thought!

[Kenno]

I have no idea what a variator is but that sounds good! I'll have to look into it. Guessing it might be the type of thing to do once it's out of warranty? Any downsides to it?

[SECoda]

Here is a guy upgrading the variator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-awtE8S3oPs

I have no idea what a variator is but that sounds good! I'll have to look into it. Guessing it might be the type of thing to do once it's out of warranty? Any downsides to it?

[Kenno]

Ta. So it's a faster metal spinny thing than the standard metal spinny thing? I'm getting the hang of this scooter stuff already!