Honda Lead 100

[stanleychung]

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/comp...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:

[stanleychung]

UPDATE: With 239km on the odo fuel economy chimes in at 3.45l / 100km mixed riding highway/urban commuting.

Faultless running all weather.

[Swoop]

UPDATE: With 239km on the odo fuel economy chimes in at 3.45l / 100km mixed riding highway/urban commuting.

Faultless running all weather.

Gudday Stanley! Hope the riding is going well.
I'm looking at scooters for the partner to commute on. How do you like this machine on motorways? Powerful enough to keep pace with traffic flow?

[stanleychung]

Gudday Stanley! Hope the riding is going well.
I'm looking at scooters for the partner to commute on. How do you like this machine on motorways? Powerful enough to keep pace with traffic flow?

My scooter carrying my 115kg mass has topped out at 85km/h on flat ground.

If your definition of motorway is up to 100km/h its probably not the best idea to go for the Honda Lead, you will most likely need something with more ccs.

My daily commute is mostly along 60km/h zones for which its perfect for. It has more than enough in reserve to keep up with traffic.

I have done riding on 80km/h zones but it starts running out of puff near its top speed and traffic start to see you as an easy target and try and run you off the road.

If a lot of motorway running is the norm then I'd look at something like a Yamaha Scorpio 225 or even the old Suzuki GN250 or a 250cc Suzuki Burgman.

Best thing I can suggest is to get your partner to try as many as they can, I'm sure through that process they will find something they are most comfortable to use. Happy Shopping.

[stanleychung]

1,000kms UPDATE

Just picked up my Honda Lead from Casbolts from its 1,000kms first service.

My total bill was just for the oil which was $17.50 incl GST

First service was Labour Free. *Bonus*

I was provided a loan Honda lead scooter.

The Loaner scooter was quite 'battle scarred' and had 15,500kms on the clock.

Reassuringly it ran as sweetly as mine does despite the condition and mileage.

The service from Casbolts was excellent as usual.

My scooter has been faultless so far, fuel economy getting better after each tank now settling down to about 3L/100kms.

My scooter never ceases to put a smile on my face everytime I ride it and I fully recommend anyone who commutes to get one.

Happy Riding!!!

[KelvinAng]

Nice write-up!

A friend of mine has the Honda Lead as well and has done something like 17,000 km on it since he got it. He still loves the scoot and he said he gets close to 40km/L fuel economy (2.5L/100km) on 50km roads.

Now that I've moved back into Christchurch city (hah!) I'm thinking about selling my Suzuki Boulevard M50 and getting a scooter instead. I've had rather good experience with a 2-stroke 50cc scooter in the past and had been thinking about downsizing to the Yamaha Jog or the Honda Lead.

Cheers,
Kelvin

[stanleychung]

Just clicked over 2,000kms on the odometer

No faults whatsoever. All weather running. Even took it out for a spin during the last couple of times that it snowed in chch.

Nothing has fallen off, no new noises.

The factory fitted IRC tyres seem to be really hard wearing. Barely any wear on the rear tire and almost no wear at all on the front tyre (as to be expected).

Still brings a smile to my face everytime I'm out on my scooter.

I'm pretty sure its just me but it feels a little more zippier now than when it was new. Might be the motor/trans finally running in properly. But I can't complain if its actually more powerful now.

Happy Scootering

[ICE180]

you will have plenty of kms to go my rather tweeked 180cc @t runner is at 50,000km now and still hums a long or rather braaaaapp popopopopop

so a 4T should go for ever keep an eye on engine bushes as they can wear out quickly as mine did 6"2" 98kgs But I now have solid PM tuning ones so they will not wear out again