2013 Honda PCX150 Review
Efficient and delightful around town, highway capable, underseat storage that holds a full-face helmet and more, and your choice of Metallic Black or Candy Red…what’s not to like about the PCX150?
Photo Credit: Alfonse Palaima
Donya Carlson
November 12, 2012
Filed under Honda Motorcycle Road Tests: Reviews on Honda Motorcycles, Sidecar + Scooter + Trike Motorcycle Reviews
Good things may come in small packages, but Honda’s pint-sized PCX just got bigger…and better. Honda has upped the PCX125’s liquid-cooled, 125cc single-cylinder engine to 152.9cc to make it highway legal in most, if not all, 50 states. In the process, Honda improved the PCX150’s seat comfort, changed the gear ratios for more pickup and designed a more efficient radiator core with a smaller, lighter cooling fan. A front compartment provides 1.5 liters of storage and the PCX150’s “belly” holds a full-face helmet and then some. A 35-liter top box is optional.
Honda’s PCX150 looks a bit like a VFR1200 from the front and combats sticker shock at the gas pump with 102 mpg.
The playful, twist-and-go Honda with its V-Matic CVT automatic transmission has instant throttle response thanks to programmed fuel injection, and seriously excellent fuel economy at an estimated 102 mpg from its 1.6-gallon tank. A handy button releases the fuel cover and seat locks. At less than 300 pounds, the PCX is no sweat to maneuver. Both a sidestand and centerstand make for effortless parking—no fancy footwork needed—but don’t forget to set the parking brake with the pinball-machinelike lever.
Fourteen-inch wheels spin tubeless IRC 90/90 front and 100/90 rear tires. On our test ride over a variety of roads, the dual rear shocks with 3.1 inches of travel did a valiant job soaking up road imperfections. Stopping is brisk thanks to a single disc with three-piston caliper in front and drum rear brake linked with Honda’s Combined Braking System.
There’s room for two, with foldout footpegs for the passenger, and load capacity is a generous 348 pounds. This shapely, cutting-edge scooter will charm riders aged 16-100 with its uncomplicated handling and practicality. With the added 25cc comes a mere $50 price increase from the PCX125. At $3,449 for the 2013 PCX150, that’s an extra two bucks a cc—worth every penny!
(This Kickstarts article was published in the November 2012 issue of Rider magazine.)
 The rider feels the road through the seat, but dual shocks with 3.1 inches travel do a valiant job smoothing out pavement irregularities. |
 Informative instrument panel is flanked by a chrome handlebar and has a center speedometer, a tripmeter and a fuel gauge. |
Hi
I like the sound of this new Honda PCX150 but question …
Whats it like on pulling power with two up and on a hill of about 40 degrees ?
Will it do it or will the passenger have to walk ?
[Reply]
Matt Reply:
February 12th, 2013 at 10:12 pm
I’ve had a Honda PCX150 for a few months (so far put around 5000km on the clock) it runs well, is quite responsive, great in traffic and it’s actually no too bad on the hills (even 2 up).
The reality is that it’s a 150cc automatic scooter, so you’re not going to get a “sports bike” performance but I if you compare this with most scooters of similar size on the market, I think you will be quite happy with the Honda PCX150
[Reply]
It”d be nice if for shelling out 4 Grand,they’d think abpout a simple Kick starter. It would be better for us all with adding a kickstarter and, common, no rear disk?, What the heck, I’m payingout 4000, give me a kickstarter, and a rear disk brake. If my scooter had these issues all corrected, I’t would be very favorable.
[Reply]
a rear disc brake and clock would be nice
[Reply]
Awesome
[Reply]