Seeking info on Honda Lead vs Suzuki AN125

[ralph4alice]

Hi -

I'm looking at getting a scooter for commuting between Khandallah and Wellington CBD (15k round trip). I've had a couple of motorbikes in the past, so am not a novice to biking. Plus, have my full license (so, not limited to moped).

I've shortlisted the following options:

- Honda Lead 100 (will be testing one tomorrow...)
- Suzuki AN125 (tested one last Monday - went well!)
- considering a GN125 if I can find one! Or even a GN250. But for overall ease of use, a scooter probably wins (and doesn't have a gear lever to leak oil onto your shoe!).

The reviews I've found around the web, and comments from people I spoke to (including the dealers) can be summed up as follows:

- Suzuki wins on power, but Honda is better on fuel economy (supposedly attributable to different engine sizes, but tuning and engineering plays a part too);
- Honda has an edge on general build quality and finish

The Honda is $3000, $400 more than the Suzuki. Lower outlay is good, but I'm happier to get whichever bike is better long-term (I intend keeping it for the long term). And although my number one concern is economy, I'm still willing to pay enough to ensure that what I get is powerful enough for Wellington's hills, with all my 102 kgs to lug about!

Any comments and knowledge anybody could share, would be warmly welcomed!

Cheers :-)
Ralph

[Ojai]

I have the Lead 100 and I take it up and down the hill to Ngaio ever day. Thus with a heavy heart I would say get the An125 at least. I always wish I had just a biiit more power as I struggle up the hill at 45 kph every evening (I'm 110 kilos).

I really like the Honda reliability, but the fuel economy isn't such an edge since it's struggling up that hill every day.

I'll be putting up for sale soon actually. I think a 250cc will be what I need for the hill.

[aewilliam]

I am 75kg and have the UZ125, which looks to be the predeccesor to the AN125. The UZ beats the Lead100 hands down in performance. Reliability thankfully has not been an issue in the 10k kms i have put on it.

Economy has been 3.2l/100km commuting, gets down to 3.0l/km if mainly cruising at motorway speed.

Have not had a good look at the AN125 , but looks like it may have a higher ride position and larger than the UZ (which is fantastic for its low and small profile - its PRETTY much the same as my previous AZ50 - wish they could throw a 250 into a small-body like the UZ!!!)
It gets to 100kmh on a flat and low wind conditions. Slows QUITE a bit to 85/90kmh with decent headwind though.

With your 100kg, may think a 150 (Honda's Dylan, but too high in price maybe...?) or somehting more than 125 MAY be ideal.

And if running at a throttle position on the 100 that is more open than the 125 to compensate for the extra mass, may think that fuel economy from the 100 MAY suffer - my AZ50 (2stroke however...) took me around at 3.5l/100km...

[Pogo2]

It's enough to make you pull out all of your hair.

My 2 cents worth:

Surely the fuel consumption difference would be fairly small wouldn't it. We are only taking 25cc and the 25cc will give you a little extra power for those Wellington hills. I went form a 150cc to an AN400 and the increased consumption is not really an issue!

I think the AN has a more road presence. Always important as you do battle with cagers.

Both are good bikes. I have ridden the Lead but not the AN. A friend has an AN and she is really happy with it.

Have fun choosing Ralph!

[ralph4alice]

Hey people, thanks for the replies.

I ended up getting an AN125. Decided that...:

- bigger engine would probably cope better with my weight on the hills (by the way, decided it was about time to lose weight, so I'm 88 kg now, not 102kg - woohoo - scooter probably appreciates it)

- since engine would not be worked as hard, should mean that it's operating more efficiently, therefore fuel economy would still be good

- AN125 was definitely peppier on the tests. I felt that a bike with a bit of pep would be better for maintaining the fun factor after the novelty wore off

- two trivial-sounding extras the AN125 has: a side stand, and a kick-start. I think both of those would really add to the day-to-day practicality - whimsical I know, but after 10 weeks I'm sure I made the right move.

Cheers to the dealers I visited (Jonno at Scooterazzi, plus the folk at Wellington motorcycles), they're all good people.

So, I've had 3.5 months to suss it out, and it's been really neat! Fuel economy leveling off at around 3.3 k/100L (have recorded all fills, to really check it out properly).

Also, haven't missed a single commute due to bad weather... ie: I'm not just a fair-weather biker :-) Admittedly, we haven't had proper winter yet, but it's been OK on the few cold days so far. Been considering my gear:

- had some crappy old oilskins, but they're smelly, and need a good oiling. So, got some $70 Revit rainpants, which are pretty good so far

- already have good jackets to use.

- currently using a scarf tucked in the collar and under chin strap, but am looking to get something that really keeps the cold air off my neck and face. Probably will go for a proper Revit motorbike balaclava ($50), and/or a neck tube (only $15 - like a scarf but a closed loop).

- my old 1991-era "Thinsulate" leather gloves are good gloves, but the insulation seems to have long ago deteriorated, and boy do they get cold when they're wet (and even when dry, if the air is below about 10deg)... but the leather itself is still really good. The Rain-Off overgloves sound excellent ( http://www.rain-off.com/prdt_dsptn.htm ). I also found some thin gloves around the house made of some blue thermal-type fabric, which when worn inside the leather gloves are quite good for extra insulation.

- considering that gloomy commutes are just around the corner, decided to get a flouro vest: got a really nice orange one with excellent reflector stripes from Wgtn Motorcycles (I appreciate that no single item is a panacea to safety, but every little bit counts - and the colour really does glow.)


So yeah... having a good wander around KB site, getting to know who/what's around - and there's a treasure trove of good stuff on here! And there's some brilliant comedians on here, top notch. Would have been great to have this site around in my previous life as a biker (1991 - about 1997 or so).

Cheers-
Ralph