Frugal Adventuring on a Honda PCX150 U.S. Spec
Discussion
So here is a post about my 2015 Honda PCX 150 U.S. Spec scooter.
The main difference to the UK PCX is that the U.S. does not have the idle stop feature, however we get the 150CC motor.
I was a bit hesistant about owning a scooter but I was in search of hyper mpg for a daily driver. The Pcx seemed like the best option. The PCX was updated in 2015 with led lighting, 12v socket and a bigger fuel tank.
I picked this up in pearl white, used with 50 miles from a guy in Aurora, Colorado. I saved about $1k off the otd dealer price.
It is a joy to ride, very flickable, comfortable, practical and most of all it gets the advertised mpg. The lowest I get is 95mpg up to 115mpg.
Note these are U.S. mpg figures. Currently I am at 111mpg which calculates to 133mpg. It is ridiculously frugal to run.
The 2 main negatives about the scooter are weak brakes and the rear shock.
The brakes need to be stronger but are ok as long as your paying attention and anticipate your stops.
The rear shock is very weak and cannot be adjusted. On pot holes, it is back braking. I would highly reccomend this to anyone looking for a cheap runabout that is not going on the motorway.
Top speed is 63mph and is not sluggish other than on long steep grades.
Maintaince is easy other than a frequent valve inspection. I did the first one myself but it is a nightmare to remove the plastics.
Pics to come.
The main difference to the UK PCX is that the U.S. does not have the idle stop feature, however we get the 150CC motor.
I was a bit hesistant about owning a scooter but I was in search of hyper mpg for a daily driver. The Pcx seemed like the best option. The PCX was updated in 2015 with led lighting, 12v socket and a bigger fuel tank.
I picked this up in pearl white, used with 50 miles from a guy in Aurora, Colorado. I saved about $1k off the otd dealer price.
It is a joy to ride, very flickable, comfortable, practical and most of all it gets the advertised mpg. The lowest I get is 95mpg up to 115mpg.
Note these are U.S. mpg figures. Currently I am at 111mpg which calculates to 133mpg. It is ridiculously frugal to run.
The 2 main negatives about the scooter are weak brakes and the rear shock.
The brakes need to be stronger but are ok as long as your paying attention and anticipate your stops.
The rear shock is very weak and cannot be adjusted. On pot holes, it is back braking. I would highly reccomend this to anyone looking for a cheap runabout that is not going on the motorway.
Top speed is 63mph and is not sluggish other than on long steep grades.
Maintaince is easy other than a frequent valve inspection. I did the first one myself but it is a nightmare to remove the plastics.
Pics to come.
111 US mpg, outstanding fuel economy.
Large underseat storage
Shad top box mounting plate and adapter. The system works good but Shad customer service is close to non-existant.
Shad sh40 top box with optional backrest and top rack.
Bikemaster 1" bar risers.
Tall givi windhield, have not tried it yet. I may temporarily switch back to the stock windshield as its currently 108f and I need all the cooling I can get.
I completed a full tank at 110 us mpg / 130uk mpg. The low fuel light flashed at 190miles and the fuel completely ran out at 195miles. I carry a 33oz msr fuel bottle under the seat so I made it to the petrol station.
I'm waiting on givi saddlebags and a tunnel bag from italy, so that's next. I will take the tall windshield off until the winter, as it is stopping the wind from cooling my upper body.
Its over 40c right now, so I need as much airflow as possible.
Costs around 2 quid to fill up here so I am guessing in the UK maybe 6-8 quid which is still excellent for a 200 mile range.
Thank you, that will, work but I think it will be very hard to retorque it to spec. I know the impact gun will get the nut back on, but it is taking a risk on what it will be torqued to.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000HS4NA8?pc_redir...
Is said to do the same job as the honda special tool.
Also I want to remove, no break as few parts plastic parts as possible. I'd have yo remove tge bottom fairing to get a impact gun access. I think with the tool and a breaker bar I can get away with any plastic removal.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000HS4NA8?pc_redir...
Is said to do the same job as the honda special tool.
Also I want to remove, no break as few parts plastic parts as possible. I'd have yo remove tge bottom fairing to get a impact gun access. I think with the tool and a breaker bar I can get away with any plastic removal.
It turned out the clutch holding tool does not fit. I purchased another $8 cheapo Chinese one off eBay, that also did not work. So it's an impact wrench or the Honda tool. However there is a clone of the Honda tool on eBay for $40. I'm kind of tired of buying clutch tools that don't fit.
I ordered Yes G euro adjustable shocks from Thailand. It will probably take 3 months to arrive due to Thai customs being funny with the fluid in the remote shock reservoir. It has to come by land not air.
I also bought a oontZ Bluetooth speaker and zip tied it to the handle bars which sounds loud enough, especially with the givi windshield.
Then spotted this old Dodge Charger.
I ordered Yes G euro adjustable shocks from Thailand. It will probably take 3 months to arrive due to Thai customs being funny with the fluid in the remote shock reservoir. It has to come by land not air.
I also bought a oontZ Bluetooth speaker and zip tied it to the handle bars which sounds loud enough, especially with the givi windshield.
Then spotted this old Dodge Charger.
3DP said:
Nice one - it's amazing what new shock(s) do for scooters. They all seem to come sprung form 9 stone Thai people, so bottom out and wallow if you are of a fuller figure and like to carry a bit of speed 
Good to hear how you get on with them.
It's has gotten very cold, so I've only been riding the pcx the last few days.Good to hear how you get on with them.
My initial impressions are that the yss shocks are a massive noticeable improvement.
On potholes and bumps that would normally be jarring and bum puckering are now taken no problem. The shocks do not bottom out and they keep up with the rebounding from the road.
I'll ride as it is for 1k miles for them to break in and then I will start playing with adjustments. I highly recommend upgrading to them if you have a pcx.
I might have mentioned earlier, some people have had issues with the shock reservoir cap seeping oil. Hopefully this does not happen. They are also available without the reservoir.
Pothole said:
Slightly modified, then?
Yes it has quite a bit done but they're relatively easy to get big power out of. There more picks of the GN in my mustang thread. The biggest limitation of the G body platform are fitting wide enough wheels. The chassis rails get in the way.
This documentary is worth a watch. https://youtu.be/X2MrvWPByAA
themanwithnoname said:
Nice.
I had a PCX150 last time I was out in Thailand. Great little thing.
It's a brilliant scooter that does exactly what it's supposed to. I ride WOT most of the time as I ride a lot of 45-55 mph highways and I still get around 110 UK mpg.I had a PCX150 last time I was out in Thailand. Great little thing.
I'd ride it more if the weather wasn't extremely hot or extremely cold.
mudster said:
Fair enough. Put my wet weather gear under the seat with laptop bag in top box.
Was tempted to use the PCX for a 270 mile round trip to see the folks and wondered how they cope. They are quite nippy round town but show limitation on main roads. Probably stick with the car or the Fireblade but it's kind of a sense of adventure to do it on the PCX (against my better judgement!).
I'd do it as long as it was not cold or raining. It'd really capable of all roads other than motorway.Was tempted to use the PCX for a 270 mile round trip to see the folks and wondered how they cope. They are quite nippy round town but show limitation on main roads. Probably stick with the car or the Fireblade but it's kind of a sense of adventure to do it on the PCX (against my better judgement!).
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