Honda Forza 125 | 2015 new motorcycles

UPDATE: For full review click here.

Honda has just released details of a brand-new high-performance 125cc scooter for 2015. The Forza 125 is said to offer more than any other scooter in its class: more all-round, class-leading performance; more visual appeal; and more practicality.

The scooter is designed for the highway ability and comfort of larger capacity maxi scooters, with the traffic-beating, sporty acceleration and easy-to-park utility of smaller, lighter machines.

Brand new from front to back, the Forza 125’s slim exterior is claimed to offer a perfect fit for both rider and pillion, while the windshield is height adjustable to suit highway and city riding. There’s 48 litres of storage room (enough for two full-face helmets) beneath the seat, plus a 12V power socket in the glove box and LED head and tail lights.

The new 125cc liquid-cooled engine is a four-valve unit with an intake and exhaust system designed for strong mid-range and top end power. It’s said to offer swift pick-up from standstill, class-leading rolling acceleration from 55mph and strong high-speed performance. A host of low-friction technologies mean that this is combined with a claimed fuel economy of 123mpg (WMTC mode).

To manage city streets and cruise open highways, the steel frame carries 33mm telescopic forks and twin rear shock absorbers, with a 15-inch front wheel and 14-inch rear. Large diameter single disc brakes front and rear come with ABS as standard.

Here’s the full press release from Honda…

The new Forza 125 is designed for those European customers who demand more from a 125cc scooter: more performance, more agility and more usability. They are motivated by style, quality and performance; they expect a lot out of life and aim to extract the most from every experience.

The machine they ride has to offer the very maximum a 125cc scooter can give, and look good while it does it. And it has to combine the best of two worlds: the highway ability and comfort of larger capacity ‘GT’ style (Grand Touring) scooters and the traffic-beating, sporty acceleration and easy-to-park utility of smaller, lighter machines.

For 2015, Honda’s new Forza 125 does just that, creating a new choice for those that want the very best that a 125cc scooter can offer.

Mr. Nagura, Large Project Leader Forza 125:

“The team’s aim with the Forza 125 was to make the ultimate 125cc scooter, with the very best of everything. It offers both great highway performance for a fun, easy commute, and class-leading acceleration for the city. All with classy, premium styling, and a very strong focus on practicality and comfort.”

Model Overview

Brand new from front to back, the Forza 125’s slim exterior exudes an aggressive, sporting attitude and a dynamic, modern design and layout. Inviting ergonomics offer a perfect fit for both rider and pillion while the windshield is height adjustable to suit both highway and city riding. There’s plenty of storage room (48 litres – enough for two full-face helmets) beneath the seat plus a 12V power socket in the glove box and – underlining its premium credentials – LED head and taillight.

The new 125cc liquid-cooled engine is a four-valve unit with an intake and exhaust system designed for strong mid-range and top end power. It offers swift pick-up from standstill, class-leading rolling acceleration from 55mph and strong high speed performance. A host of low-friction technologies mean that this is combined with impressive fuel economy of approximately 123mpg (WMTC mode).

To deftly manage city streets and cruise open highways, the steel frame – with carefully optimised wheelbase and steering geometry – employs supple 33mm telescopic forks and twin rear shock absorbers. A 15-inch front wheel provides stability and confidence, backed up by the 14-inch rear. Large diameter single discs front and rear come with ABS as standard.

A range of purpose-built accessories is ready to tailor the Forza 125 perfectly to its owner’s lifestyle and includes heated grips, rear carrier and 35L colour-matched top box.

Styling & Equipment

Easy mobility underpins the Forza 125’s look and functionality – it’s a contemporary design enabling life in and out of the city. The exterior design highlights the original ‘forward mass balance and performance strength’ concept of the styling team, and give the rider protection from wind while presenting a light and sporty appearance.

The sit-in riding position cups the rider securely and the screen easily adjusts through six positions and a total of 120mm for use at higher speeds and city traffic, to suit all types of riders. There is plenty of room for two adults on the carefully profiled seat, which opens to reveal storage space to match: two full-face helmets fit beneath it. The glove box up front contains a 12V socket for charging electrical accessories on the go and also easily holds a plastic water bottle. Seat height is a comfortable 780mm.

Premium LED technology has been adopted; underscoring the dual LED headlights are LED position lights that lend a crisp edge and unique identity to the Forza 125 ‘s frontal signature. Indicators are mounted high in the mirror bodies and stereoscopic LED taillights are matched by LED number plate illumination.

The stereoscopic theme extends to the instruments. Mounted high for ease of viewing and lit with a reverse LCD display and deep colour tone, the speedo and rev-counter are defined by elegantly flowing curves. A central LCD block features a clock (with large display), fuel gauge, average fuel economy meter, section fuel economy meter, A & B trip meters, odometer and coolant temperature.

The Forza 125 will be available in three colour options:

Matt Pearl Cool White with Matt Pacific Blue; Pearl Nightstar Black with Castagna Brown; Moondust Silver with Matt Cynos Grey

Chassis

The steel frame that’s the focus of the Forza 125’s chassis provides the necessary rigidity and strength for the mix of riding conditions it will face. Sturdy 33mm telescopic forks are matched by twin rear shock absorbers – adjustable through 7-stage spring preload – working through a one-piece aluminium swingarm.

The light weight of 162kg (with ABS) not only aids performance but also makes the Forza 125 easy to manage at walking speeds, and easy to park. The dynamics of the chassis ensure composure on the highway and agility in traffic. A wheelbase of 1,490mm provides stability; the steering geometry – 26.5° rake and 89mm trail – delivers nimble steering.

The cast aluminium 15-inch front wheel is fitted with a 120/70-15 tyre while the 14-inch rear uses a 140/70-14, offering maximum traction and ride comfort. A large 256mm single disc performs stopping duties up front, mated to a 240mm rear – both have the benefit of ABS as standard for extra braking control on slippery surfaces.

Engine

The Forza 125’s new four-valve SOHC powerplant delivers 14 bhp @ 8,750rpm, with peak torque of 12Nm @ 8,250rpm. Bore and stroke is set at 52.4 x 57.9mm; compression ratio is 11.5:1. From a standing start it accelerates rapidly, while sharper mid-range makes for reactive roll-on performance in the typical 25-40mph around-town speed range. At speeds over 55mph its top-end strength delivers class-leading acceleration.

The engine is packed with Honda’s eSP low-friction technologies; and clever packaging of items like the fuel pump (which is built in to the crankcase) help to further ensure efficiency. A compact combustion chamber and PGM-FI fuel injection – fed by a redesigned 4.7-litre airbox and 28mm diameter inlet duct – optimise burning velocity and cooling performance. A new triple chamber exhaust muffler contains a 400-cell catalyser to clean up exhaust gases.

An offset cylinder reduces friction caused by contact between piston and bore, efficiently transmitting combustion energy to the crankshaft. A ‘spiny’ cast-iron sleeve – with tiny surface extensions – keeps in check any distortion of the inner bore diameter. This design lowers tension in the piston ring, reducing friction.

A compact high-efficiency radiator – integrated into the exterior of the right-side crankcase – employs a small, light fan reducing frictional losses and lowering drag. Rolling resistance within the transmission unit is reduced by the use of three low-friction main bearings, all designed to deal with the loads they individually receive. The drive pulley features a fin design that lowers air resistance and the follower pulley reduces pressure on the drive belt, cutting transmission losses.

The electronically controlled brushless ACG starter is an integrated component mounted directly on the end of the crankshaft, serving as starter motor and alternator. It spins the engine directly, eliminating any noise from gear engagement or meshing.

Idling Stop automatically stops the engine running after three seconds at idle when the scooter is stationary and the brakes applied, and re-starts it instantly the throttle grip is twisted. It’s seamless in use thanks to ACG and the swing-back system that returns the crank to its position before air intake, and a decompression mechanism that negates cranking resistance from compression. It has the functionality to ‘read’ the battery charge and turns itself off to avoid excessive drain. The battery is a long-life YTZ8V unit.

One of the aims of the development team working on the Forza 125 is that the trip to the fuel station should happen just once a week for the average user; achieved thanks to the engine’s fuel efficiency of approximately 123mpg (WMTC mode) and 11.5 litre tank.

Accessories

The following genuine Honda accessories will be available for the Forza 125:

• Rear carrier
• 35L colour-matched top box
• Heated grip kit
• Colour-matched cosmetic adornments
• Inner bag
• Alarm kit
• Outdoor cover
• U-lock

Technical Specifications

UPDATE: For full review click here.

www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles