Thinking of buying PCX125

nightcutter · Post by **nightcutter** » Sat Apr 06, 2013 1:36 pm

Hi everyone.

First post here.

So... I know this will sound a bit daft seeing as this is a forum for PCX admirers but will I be happy with a PCX?

I bought my first scooter 2.5 years ago. A brand new Piaggio Fly 125. I thought it was great to begin with but I really regret it now. It has always performed badly. First the fuel gauge has never worked properly. When full it will only show 3/4 (sometimes 1/2) full on the gauge. The light comes on way too early. When the gauge indicates it needs filling I can only get 3 litres max in it even though it is supposed to a 7.2 litre tank.The dealer has tried to fix it a few times and even changed the 'clocks' twice but it still doesn't work properly. The lock to the top box kept breaking so in the end I had to buy a Givi replacement. I have to alter the idle speed regularly as it keeps drifting. It stalls a lot. The horn has broken twice even though I hardly use it. The past few months have been awful with the scooter failing to start (and not just in the very cold temperatures we have recently had here in the UK).

I've been made late for work because of this several times and sometimes after work it won't start so I have to leave it overnight and pray it will start the next day! I've spent quite a lot of cash on this bike trying to get it fixed. It's been in the workshop twice this year already due to starting issues. After being dead for a whole week the dealer discovered that it needed a new regulator but even after that got replaced it still has some issues starting. They should have charged me £450 for the parts and labour but dropped it to £300 seeing as I've had so much trouble with it. Still that's £300 I didn't want to shelve out after having it serviced only 5 months previously.

So I'm thinking of trading it in for a PCX125. I went to the same dealer today (in London) who sells many brands and test drove an SH and a PCX.

I loved the PCX. So smooth and light. Great at maneuvering. Rides out potholes and speed bumps brilliantly. I love the idle-stop.

I've seen a previous post about a PCX not starting in the cold after it was about 2 years old and this is what happened with my Fly. I'm pretty new to scooters so I'm not sure - do they begin to die after two-three years?

Can I trust a PCX? Reviews I've seen describe it as a great bike but what do you all think as users of it? The Piaggio was meant to save me money and time commuting in London but has just been a headache really. I would never buy another Piaggio.

I will be using it for commuting and recreation in London. Most of the roads I use are 30 or 40 mph. The dealer will give £900 for my Piaggio and a new PCX is £2,600 so it will cost me £1,700.

Are Honda and the PCX as good as they sound?

Thanks.

Rod (a newbie!).

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Sat Apr 06, 2013 4:37 pm

The pcx is reliable and handles well. Most of my bigger motorcycles have been hondas and I can say the same for them too. I will trade my pcx up for something bigger one day but have had it 18 mths and commute in all weathers.

Alibally · Post by **Alibally** » Sat Apr 06, 2013 4:54 pm

I've had mine for two years with no problems. Hondas have a good reputation for being reliable but as with all mechanical thing they can go wrong. Generally speaking they are well built and there haven't been that many problems.

gn2 · Post by **gn2** » Sat Apr 06, 2013 5:59 pm

As far as scooter reliability goes, Honda is probably as good as it gets.
The PCX is not without its faults but makes an excellent city runabout.
Much depends on finances...
The Honda Vision is also a nice little town runabout and it's £700 cheaper.
If you could stretch the budget a bit and fancied some luxury, you could get a mint condition used S-wing 125 with ABS.
e.g. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... 3285985073

ashraf64 · Post by **ashraf64** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 9:38 am

I'm relatively new to scooters too. Had my pcx for a little under a year now. Commute 20 miles everyday through everything but snow and ice. Never had a problem with it to date. I bought mine brand new and its coming up to its second service now.

It's a great runner, like you say it's a very smooth ride. Looks much better than other scoots on the market and holds its value quite well too

nightcutter · Post by **nightcutter** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 11:42 am

Thanks guys.

I have tried the Vision but it felt a bit small - the foot board felt a bit cramped.

I'm hoping to get a red PCX at the weekend. The dealer has one left (but loads of black, silver and white). I am tempted by the blue one but I think the red looks sharper and it maybe a bit more visible to other drivers.

I have a Givi top box that I hope I can get fitted with the help of a friend and his power tools. I wonder why Honda didn't design the tail bit so that you didn't need to drill it? It could come ready drilled but filled with removable plugs in case you didn't want a top box.

Slickvic · Post by **Slickvic** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 11:48 am

nightcutter wrote: I've seen a previous post about a PCX not starting in the cold after it was about 2 years old and this is what happened with my Fly. I'm pretty new to scooters so I'm not sure - do they begin to die after two-three years?

Can I trust a PCX?

No, Honda scooters do not die after 2-3 years. They are a very reliable brand. The cold starting post you read about was an isolated incident. You can definitely trust a Honda scooter.
My other scooter is a 1986 Elite 250 with over 16,000 miles on it and its still running just fine.

Urbanian · Post by **Urbanian** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 10:43 pm

When I was looking to replace my cheap Chinese scoot, my mechanic recommended I buy a Vespa and plan to budget for maintenance and repairs. In the next breath, he said it was a good thing everyone didn’t ride a Honda or he wouldn’t have a job.
After eight months, and 1400 miles, I couldn’t be happier with my PCX150

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