2023 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
City-Ready, Surprisingly Polished
The Forza 125 is Honda's premium GT scooter in the 125 cc class: a liquid-cooled single with 15 hp and 9 lb-ft in a steel tube frame, wrapped in bodywork that Honda says echoes the larger Forza 750. What sets it apart is the equipment list. An electric windscreen with 7.1 in (180 mm) of travel, a TFT display with smartphone connectivity and navigation, keyless operation, a USB-C socket, ABS and traction control all come standard. Under the seat there's room for two full-face helmets. On a 125, that's a serious spec sheet.
Read the hardware and the purpose is clear: this scooter is built to make daily riding easy. A 30.7 in (780 mm) seat, 357 lb (162 kg) wet and a 15-inch front wheel paired with a 14-inch rear point to something manageable in tight traffic and at parking speed. The 3.0 gal (11.5 L) tank and the adjustable screen are aimed at longer commutes, and Honda claims the screen gives protection on the highway and an open feel in town. A center stand and adjustable rear suspension round out the practical side. It points to you if you want one low-cost machine for the weekday grind. Pure pragmatism, nicely dressed!
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 15 hp (11 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 9 lb-ft (12 Nm) |
| Displacement | 125 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Front tire | 120/70-15 |
| Rear tire | 140/70-14 |
| Seat height | 30.7 in (780 mm) |
| Wet weight | 357 lb (162 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.0 gal (11.5 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Connectivity
Lighting
Safety
I've spent years listening to riders: paddock conversations, owner chats, club nights, and the messages that land in my inbox. For the Forza 125 the picture is consistent. Owners talk about how little fuel it uses and how settled it feels for a small scooter, and one complaint about the rear suspension keeps coming back.
Fuel economy leads the conversation: owners frequently report 80 to 100 mpg (2.8 to 2.3 L/100 km) in real-world use. Just as consistently, riders describe the Forza as comfortable and stable at higher speeds. They put that planted feel on open roads down to the larger dimensions and front wheel, and they call it unusual for a small-displacement scooter. The same owners say the size doesn't cost them in town, because it stays narrow enough to filter. A few add praise for the front brake, which they rate ahead of the PCX for power and feel, and for an engine with strong mid-range that gets away from the lights quickly. Not bad for 15 hp!
The one recurring gripe concerns the rear shocks. Some riders find them too harsh on broken pavement and describe a jarring ride, and heavier riders say it most. That's the whole list.
Premature head bearing wear
Some owners report notchy or loose steering head bearings at relatively low mileages, requiring adjustment or replacement.
Rear shock absorber durability concerns
The standard rear shocks may lose damping performance prematurely, with oil leaks reported by some high-mileage owners.
Where this Honda Forza 125 pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Forza 125 is actually built for.
Of the riders here, you're the best fit. Two helmets under the seat, keyless operation, light handling and low running costs: on paper it's built for exactly your short, dense city trips.
Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
A solid fit for the city half of your week: the TFT, phone connectivity, navigation and sharp styling suit you. With 15 hp, it's built for the commute more than the weekend ridge roads.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
