2021 PCX 160/125 owner’s review thread

[StillThumps]

I only gave a cursory look a the IRC tires..they look good, good tread wrap around, and the tread compound didn’t feel hard.
I remember the stock hard compound Dunlops on my 2007 Yamaha Majesty were terrible in the wet. I changed them out with Pirelli Diablos. That tire would stick well on any surface..really awesome tires.

[mrags89]

@ezrider

Yep iRC front and rear. Super bummed that we didn’t get the city grips because those are legit excellent tires. IRCs don’t last nearly as long.

[ezrider]

@ezrider

Yep iRC front and rear. Super bummed that we didn’t get the city grips because those are legit excellent tires. IRCs don’t last nearly as long.

Thanks, mrags, do you have a model # or name for the IRCs? I suppose, like all others, IRC has a range of quality. I'd care more about ride/feel appropriate for the PCX and safety, than longevity -within reason, that is.

[StillThumps]

ezrider, the front IRC tire is model #SCT-106 , the rear is model # SCT-107. The only website I’ve found with any info on this tire is:

Ircvietnam.com/product/pcx-2020

[StillThumps]

Went for a morning 75 mile ride today on the new PCX. Other than awareness of the seat hump it was a great ride.
I’m really pretty impressed with the IRC tires..especially when compared to the Kymco Like’s 12” Chengshin tires. The IRC 14”/13” tires really grip and handle very well..and they track straight with no tendency to wander. Things feel planted and steady at 55-65 mph.
Waiting to see how they do in the wet.

The Kymco Like is a Vespa Sprint/Primavera knockoff. It has similar looks and performance, but I have to say the experience with it has not made me a fan of 12” wheels/tires. They’re OK in town.. but on faster rural roads it feels unsettled…the hard Chengshin tires contributed to it.

I was also really pleased with how the PCX handled in crosswinds. It was breezy with 20 mph winds blowing across open farm land. The PCX took it in stride and seemed unphased by most gusts. Really refreshing after always getting blown around on the Kymco.

[ezrider]

ezrider, the front IRC tire is model #SCT-106 , the rear is model # SCT-107. The only website I’ve found with any info on this tire is:

Ircvietnam.com/product/pcx-2020

Thanks, ST. Looks like prior PCX;s have worn them, so they should be plenty known here and elsewhere. Your experience with them matters most now.

[iceman]

Many hate IRC tyres and love MCG's - I had the original IRC's on my PCX for over 5 years and rode all year round, sun, rain and all through winter - never had any issues. Had 13,500 miles on my rear IRC and nearly 20,000 on my front before it got close to legal tread.

[ezrider]

Excellent succinct and thorough evaluation, iceman. That's on a 125, but a meaningful contribution nevertheless.

[Jwm78]

Moments after I finished all the paperwork at Honda power sports Troy,Ohio. last Wednesday..Best thing I have ever bought,period and sitting out front ..

[iceman]

Excellent succinct and thorough evaluation, iceman. That's on a 125, but a meaningful contribution nevertheless.

Well, the thread does say 160/125 owners not just 160 As to IRC's not lasting long, strange, as those that put them down usually put it to being they are too hard so do not grip as much, but last longer. Not sure how some get through tyres so quickly as our roads in London are horrendous qualitry compared to US roads.

[StillThumps]

Jwm78, Good pics of a great buying experience of a great scoot in Buckeyeland. I’m really pleased with the look, quality, and performance of mine so far as well. 200+ miles so far. Look forward to more of your thoughts & reviews..and pics too! Cheers, ~ST

[StillThumps]

Iceman, I wouldn’t think there’d be much difference at all in tire performance between a 125 PCX and a 150/160. My limited experience so far on my 2021 160 with the IRC tires is a very positive . I’d even say they grip about as good as the Pirelli Diablos I had on another scooter.
How have IRC tires performed for you in the wet? I know first hand that riding in Britain means wet! Cheers mate, ~ ST

[Jwm78]

At first I was really concerned/worried with the idea of a smart key instead of a regular ole traditional key it because it seems like it wouldn't be too hard to duplicate it or it's frequency or however it exactly works,with how fast todays technology advances it won't be long before that happens and folks rides are fucked with,)then I was kinda mad/bummed for a day or two that it didn't come with the smart key system OR the answer back feature OR the damn anti theft alarm NOW I'm glad and relieved that it is a traditional key instead of smartkey but still bummed that there is no answer back or alarm system....The fancy, foo foo,techno key just seemed unnecessary and something else to go wrong/malfunction in the future

[Jge64]

i like keyless vehicles. I never have to find my key, it stays in my pocket safe and sound. Every car has it, its hardly foofoo tevhnology.

[you you]

i like keyless vehicles. I never have to find my key, it stays in my pocket safe and sound. Every car has it, its hardly foofoo tevhnology.

Exactly.

No one still wants a kickstart on a PCX anymore.

[StillThumps]

Regarding the Smart key ignition, I saw where Asian owners of the 2021 PCX were wanting to know how to start their scoots if their wireless key’s battery failed or if they lost the remote key. Looks as if there is a way..but it’s fairly involved.

If the battery dies in the Smart fob, or it’s lost ..the scoot is dead in the water and the seat and fuel door are locked.
A special plastic finger can access the seat trip thru a small access door in the fairing. Once the seat is open, a screwdriver is taken from the kit (if there is one) and another panel is removed in the tunnel area. Inside are various electric wiring and connectors.

One of the connectors needs to be unplugged and a special jumper plug installed on it. After that’s done a 10 or 12 digit numerical code
that is unique for each scooter has to be entered (assuming the owner has/knows the code number) by pushing in on the ignition knob the number of times for each digit. Push it 3 times for the number 3 etc., wait for it to flash and go on to the next number. If all go as planned the ignition knob will light and the scoot can be started.

I really like some of the features offered by the Smart system, and I know my 2021 scoot showed up without those features. On the other hand though, I look at my “dumb” ignition key and it has no battery or transmitter/receiver to fail, and if I do happen to lose it, I know I have the spare key I always carry to get my scoot started. Somehow there seems to be some simple wisdom in that.

[iceman]

Iceman, I wouldn’t think there’d be much difference at all in tire performance between a 125 PCX and a 150/160. My limited experience so far on my 2021 160 with the IRC tires is a very positive . I’d even say they grip about as good as the Pirelli Diablos I had on another scooter.
How have IRC tires performed for you in the wet? I know first hand that riding in Britain means wet! Cheers mate, ~ ST

Never had issue - only swapped them when getting close to legal limit. Rode in heavy rain, flooded roads, icey roads - all good and they lasted well too. Still, went with MCG's when needing to change and so far ok too.

[StillThumps]

Thanks iceman, good to hear your experience on wet roads with IRC tires. Haven’t ridden in rain as yet ..but it’s Ohio…wait 10 min! Cheers

[ezrider]

Nice pics, jwm. Cool views, though I hope you rode away with at least a helmet, especially because you're the first to report -on another thread here- an indicated 80 mph on the new PCX, and that you didn't think it wasn't its top! Of course, evidence will be demanded by smax owners, among others. Ride safe!

[Jwm78]

Yeah I have a couple helmets,but they suck,a buddy of mine gave me a couple old ones since the damn dealership couldn't throw me a helmet after plucking down over 5 grand on a scoot lol...Yea it still had a lil throttle left to turn as I crossed 80,I dunno how much or faster or what it will max out a but I'm not gonna find out for awhile tho,still getting comfortable on it I'm a (Rookie rider lol)and it's new do I don't wanna tear this shit it up already lol..I'll tell you tho 80 mph was a bit intimidating and kind of scary..I really do think it's got a few more mph in,I know it does,I have faith lol