stanleychung
14th April 2011, 12:16
Honda Lead 100
Just joined the world of scootering and loving it. I think compared to most people I've kinda done my motorcycle life backwards. As I got my motorcycle licence, started on a Suzuki VL250 Intruder then a Suzuki Bandit 600n and now a Honda Lead 100 Scooter.
I'm quite a particular person and I like to do plenty of research before buying anything significant. Comparitively speaking information for my last two bikes were far easier to find than the Honda Scooter. Hence why I've decided to briefly put something together for those people who are considering one.
The most relevant info I managed to gather for the Honda Lead 100 Scooter was off a NZ based website called "thescooterreview.com". As far as I can see the website consists of 3 main contributors who are scooter owners/interested people.
Honda Lead 100 Review by the scooterreview.com http://www.thescooterreview.com/component/content/article/139-honda/276-honda-lead-100
At the time the Honda seemed like a logical choice. As a scooter it seems (whether it actually is im not sure) bigger than the average 125 scooter. I'm 179cm and weigh 115kg and it accomodates me quite easily in quiet comfort. Actually on that note the scooter is rated to carry passengers up to a maximum weight of 180kg according to the owners manual. So in most cases it would still be within limits to carry an average pillion as well and there would be pleanty of space for the pillion seating. Haven't actually tried pillioning my wife on it yet but I will update next time I try.
With regards to the local dealer experience, my scooter was bought from Grant at Casbolts (now located in 401 Ferry road, Christchurch). I was quite satisfied with the dealer experience. I initially visited Casbolts, there were Honda Leads on display all different colors, all brand new, unregistered, only a handful of kms on the odo. I was quite surprised that Grant was happy for me to choose a brand new, whatever color I liked to take for a test ride without me offering any commitment to buying. I liked this, made me feel special, if only a little. After the buying paperwork formalities the scooter was delivered to my place couple of days later at work at no cost, it was registered, warranted, tank full of gas and insurance was organised for me at my request. Grant even went through all the basic bits and pieces when he dropped the scooter off (i.e. how to check the oil, what all the buttons did, talked about what the owners/warranty handbook was about, when the first service was due).
So how is the Honda to ride? Well I tend to agree with the review done by thescooterreview.com Performed as it was designed to do. I'm no moto GP rider by any means but I can say that I'm getting a similar feeling of enjoyment on this scooter as my last motorbike, and the scooter's engine is 1/6th the size of my last bike but it sure is not 1/6th the fun. Sure, my expectations were lower, I'm not expecting to tour the country on it (but I'm tempted :) ) I'm not expecting ball crushing acceleration but it does get along pretty good with normal/above normal traffic speeds. I'm being gentle with it at the moment while running it in so I'm not really sure what she will top out at. But there seems to be plenty in reserve for the commuting im doing currently. The brakes respond in a more than satisfactory manner despite being drums front and back. Suspension is quite compliant for a scooter over the quake ravaged roads of Christchurch. The engine response is pretty good for a brand new motor, its a bit rough on idle but I'm expecting this to smooth out with a few more kms under its belt (no pun intended).
So far thats really all I can say about my new Honda Lead 100 scooter. I will do my best to update this as I go along. If anything falls off, first service, any quirks, fuel economy etc...
Don't be discouraged if you are a current "big biker" to consider a scooter. I never imagined when I had a bike that I would enjoy having a scooter as much as I do. Its a great mode of transport especially commuting. The best thing to find out whether you will enjoy a certain bike/scooter is to take it for a test ride and ask lots of questions and do your research. It never hurts to do your homework. Update soon.
:scooter:
Just joined the world of scootering and loving it. I think compared to most people I've kinda done my motorcycle life backwards. As I got my motorcycle licence, started on a Suzuki VL250 Intruder then a Suzuki Bandit 600n and now a Honda Lead 100 Scooter.
I'm quite a particular person and I like to do plenty of research before buying anything significant. Comparitively speaking information for my last two bikes were far easier to find than the Honda Scooter. Hence why I've decided to briefly put something together for those people who are considering one.
The most relevant info I managed to gather for the Honda Lead 100 Scooter was off a NZ based website called "thescooterreview.com". As far as I can see the website consists of 3 main contributors who are scooter owners/interested people.
Honda Lead 100 Review by the scooterreview.com http://www.thescooterreview.com/component/content/article/139-honda/276-honda-lead-100
At the time the Honda seemed like a logical choice. As a scooter it seems (whether it actually is im not sure) bigger than the average 125 scooter. I'm 179cm and weigh 115kg and it accomodates me quite easily in quiet comfort. Actually on that note the scooter is rated to carry passengers up to a maximum weight of 180kg according to the owners manual. So in most cases it would still be within limits to carry an average pillion as well and there would be pleanty of space for the pillion seating. Haven't actually tried pillioning my wife on it yet but I will update next time I try.
With regards to the local dealer experience, my scooter was bought from Grant at Casbolts (now located in 401 Ferry road, Christchurch). I was quite satisfied with the dealer experience. I initially visited Casbolts, there were Honda Leads on display all different colors, all brand new, unregistered, only a handful of kms on the odo. I was quite surprised that Grant was happy for me to choose a brand new, whatever color I liked to take for a test ride without me offering any commitment to buying. I liked this, made me feel special, if only a little. After the buying paperwork formalities the scooter was delivered to my place couple of days later at work at no cost, it was registered, warranted, tank full of gas and insurance was organised for me at my request. Grant even went through all the basic bits and pieces when he dropped the scooter off (i.e. how to check the oil, what all the buttons did, talked about what the owners/warranty handbook was about, when the first service was due).
So how is the Honda to ride? Well I tend to agree with the review done by thescooterreview.com Performed as it was designed to do. I'm no moto GP rider by any means but I can say that I'm getting a similar feeling of enjoyment on this scooter as my last motorbike, and the scooter's engine is 1/6th the size of my last bike but it sure is not 1/6th the fun. Sure, my expectations were lower, I'm not expecting to tour the country on it (but I'm tempted :) ) I'm not expecting ball crushing acceleration but it does get along pretty good with normal/above normal traffic speeds. I'm being gentle with it at the moment while running it in so I'm not really sure what she will top out at. But there seems to be plenty in reserve for the commuting im doing currently. The brakes respond in a more than satisfactory manner despite being drums front and back. Suspension is quite compliant for a scooter over the quake ravaged roads of Christchurch. The engine response is pretty good for a brand new motor, its a bit rough on idle but I'm expecting this to smooth out with a few more kms under its belt (no pun intended).
So far thats really all I can say about my new Honda Lead 100 scooter. I will do my best to update this as I go along. If anything falls off, first service, any quirks, fuel economy etc...
Don't be discouraged if you are a current "big biker" to consider a scooter. I never imagined when I had a bike that I would enjoy having a scooter as much as I do. Its a great mode of transport especially commuting. The best thing to find out whether you will enjoy a certain bike/scooter is to take it for a test ride and ask lots of questions and do your research. It never hurts to do your homework. Update soon.
:scooter: