The Honda PCX / Forza / ADV150 / SH Forums

You can always find the latest info/pictures etc on my website: http://www.andrewcharnley.com but I'll update this thread every so often with some of them. The PCX is an awesome machine with the only issue being ground clearance.

http://andrewcharnley.com/?resources&module=view&id=344



http://andrewcharnley.com/?resources&module=view&id=342



http://andrewcharnley.com/?resources&module=view&id=340

Aw dude, awesome!

I've been wondering if you were going to join for awhile, edscoot had posted your site back in April:http://hondapcx.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=315&hilit=world

How has the PCX held up? Hit any big issues under such tough conditions?

Hi, there have only been a few issues;

1. ground clearance is dire and a major problem when fully loaded up, especially with European curbs. The engine mostly survives the impact and it is took by the centre stand. I hit it so hard two days ago the spring came off it.

2. the side stand isn't good enough to take the extra load and the bike tries to tip over. It did exactly that two days ago and smashed my givi screen and mirror.

3. the 55mph GPS top speed (62.5mph restriction) is dangerous on motorways where the restricted lorries at 56mph crawl past and try to get in too quickly.

4. it may be the rear tyre or the weak suspension but if leaning too much on a corner the tyre looses it causing a brown trouser moment.

5. rear suspension preload is perfect for extra luggage but not without (too hard) or with passenger (too soft).

6. small tank could be an issue later but I carry a 5ltr jerry under the seat.

Regards, Andrew

snoopy wrote:4. it may be the rear tyre or the weak suspension but if leaning too much on a corner the tyre looses it causing a brown trouser moment.

The tyre is fine, so is the suspension.
Have you actually calculated the weight you have loaded it with?

The load excluding passenger is below the total recommended, I reckon I've got 50kg of gear tops. It can only be the tyre really, but it's done 6,000 miles now and due to be replaced. I try to avoid getting my knee down anyway!

Are you camping around the world?

snoopy wrote:3. the 55mph GPS top speed (62.5mph restriction) is dangerous on motorways where the restricted lorries at 56mph crawl past and try to get in too quickly.

Hopefully you can hook up at a safe distance behind one of the trucks that is moving at a speed you can hold and follow them so that any of the other vehicles trying to over take you, will plan to go past them as well.
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How many hours per day do you ride?

I am, there's a section about the Equipment here: http://www.andrewcharnley.com/?content& ... 0EQUIPMENT

I don't have the money to motel/hotel it, perhaps I will a bit in India/Asia. Occasionally use a hostel but its been campsites (for the shower) or free/wild camping so far.

I've rode 12 hour days to get down to Greece not stopping much but don't do anything like that normally. The testing part of the trip (Turkey onwards) starts late September and the plan is short distances on the bike unless VISA requirements (such as the Pakistan 3 day transit) require otherwise.

The PCX is about 0.5mph behind the GPS regulated trucks at (56mph) so it hardly ever keeps up. I'm putting the aftermarket variator back on at the weekend to fix this (I'd took it off thinking reliability might be an issue).

snoopy wrote:It can only be the tyre

You know what they say about bad workmen and their tools...
I hear that Michelin City Grips are a big improvement, they were going cheap on Oponeo.co.uk recently but don't know if they deliver to Greek beaches.

Where did you get the Iphone mount from? Its exactly what I'm looking for

qed wrote:Where did you get the Iphone mount from? Its exactly what I'm looking for

I am using this one.
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http://www.amazon.com/Arkon-GPS032-Hand ... ebar+mount
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sendler2112 wrote:

qed wrote:Where did you get the Iphone mount from? Its exactly what I'm looking for

I am using this one.
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http://www.amazon.com/Arkon-GPS032-Hand ... ebar+mount
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Cheers. Ive put a clock where it would fit though

I wouldn't bother with sealed units, they are too much PITA for use on the bike.

Mine is a DIY job. I bought a cheap mount on ebay and cut the flexible wire so I was left with an inch of round plastic. I drilled a piece of aluminium and threaded a bolt to act as a grub screw against the plastic. The aluminium piece has another threaded hole in the bottom and a bolt goes through the PCX plastic into it. For waterproofing I bought a piece of thin plastic, cut and bent it using a toaster then araldited it onto the back. It won't manage in a downpour but its good enough to protect against average rain.

Also the mount is universal with a clip connector, so if I ever upgrade to an iPhone 4 or 5 it's easy peasy.

It's one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-MOUNT-WIN ... 522wt_1304

A better picture of the universal mount is here. You can get them for many phones not just iPhones.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IN-CAR-AIR-DA ... 600wt_1304

Excellent - that's given me some ideas.

I read your equipment section, what did you end up going with?

When I tour on my PCX, I usually use a Hennessey Hammock Expedition A-Sym, but that requires two trees to string between... I've been considering a tent, but wanted to see what you came up with. Did you end up using the cot or what?

Definitely recommend the michelin city grips mentioned above.

How's the seat treating your arse? I did a 13hour ride once, and the last 1.5hrs were really uncomfortable.

I loaded my pcx with tent, sleeping bag, etc, etc, for a round the UK coast trip and found the suspension was really struggling with the weight so I decided to dump what I could and adjust my trip plans

When will you be in India? I'm off there hopefully in early October for up to a year of touring (either Honda crf250l or if not available a KTM 200 Duke instead) around the coast and being lazy on beaches.

I went with the US Army Cot Bed and Mossy shelter which goes on top. It's large and a bit heavy (9kg) but very comfortable and practical.

I use a Eureka Backpacker 2 tent.
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http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___24920
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Packs small and fairly light but is expensive. I hope it lasts me forever. I found a good deal on a small sleeping bag. The Eureka Silvercity was only $60 when I bought it and also crushes really small for a cheap bag.
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http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___45386
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I prefer the cot bed, trust me its comfortable!



http://www.andrewcharnley.com/?resource ... iew&id=351