Scooter // Automatic // 2024 // CBT Legal
Honda
SH125i
The big-wheel scooter that owns British city streets.
Power
12.6 bhp
Weight
135kg
Top Speed
65 mph
From New
£3,799
Profile silhouette
16" front and rear · seat 805 mm
Colour palette
- Matte Carbonium Grey
- Pearl Cosmic Black
- Pearl Splendor Red
Range & economy
The SH125i runs on 16-inch wheels — bigger than most scooters — giving it cars-eye-view visibility and excellent pothole compliance. Standard ABS, smart-key, and a famously comfortable seat make it the long-haul commuter's pick.
Who it's for
Commuters with a rough-road route, riders over 5'10", and anyone who wants scooter convenience with motorcycle-grade stability.
Pros
- 16-inch wheels swallow potholes
- Excellent visibility and stability
- Smart-key with steering lock function
- Comfortable for taller riders
Cons
- Limited underseat storage vs PCX
- Higher seat than the PCX
- More expensive than rivals
Suitability
commuter
9/10
sport
4/10
comfort
8/10
value
7/10
style
6/10
Full Specifications
- Engine
- Single-cylinder, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valve, liquid-cooled, eSP+
- Displacement
- 125cc
- Power
- 12.6 bhp @ 8,250 rpm
- Torque
- 8.5 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm
- Top speed
- 65 mph
- Fuel economy
- 126 mpg
- Fuel capacity
- 8 litres
- Weight
- 135 kg (wet)
- Seat height
- 805 mm
- Transmission
- CVT automatic
- ABS
- Front-only ABS
- Brakes
- Front: 256mm disc. Rear: 220mm disc.
- Suspension
- Front: 33mm telescopic. Rear: twin shocks.
- Wheels & tyres
- 16" front and rear
- Service interval
- 6,000 miles / 12 months
- Warranty
- 2 years unlimited mileage
- Insurance group
- Group 9
- Available colours
- Matte Carbonium Grey, Pearl Cosmic Black, Pearl Splendor Red
- Price new
- £3,799
- Price used
- £2,400 – £3,100
- CBT legal?
- Yes
- Keepable post-licence?
- No — learners only
True cost of owning a SH125i
Estimates for a 25-year-old with one year of CBT licence holding, riding 4,000 miles a year in Zone 2 London. Adjust for your own circumstances.
insurance
£465 / year (third-party fire & theft, 25 yr old, London)
tax
£25 / year (motorcycles ≤150cc)
mot
£29.65 / year (compulsory from year 3)
fuel
~£209 / year at 4,000 mi (£1.45/L)
service
~£165 / minor service
Day-one essentials
ECE 22.06 full-face helmet
£120 – £400
CE Level 2 armoured jacket
£150 – £350
Disc lock + reminder cable
£35 – £75
Sold Secure Gold chain + ground anchor
£90 – £180
47L top-box + mounting kit
£75 – £160
All-weather cover + bike socks
£30 – £80
Best for
- Long-distance commuting
- Riders 5'10"+
- Rough road surfaces
Insider trivia
- — Best-selling scooter in Italy for over a decade.
- — 16-inch wheels are an industry rarity at this displacement.
- — Idle-stop standard since 2020.
Owner FAQs
- Can I ride the SH125i on a CBT?
- Yes — the Honda SH125i is fully CBT-legal in the UK. With L-plates and a valid DL196 you can ride it for two years before progressing to A1, A2, or full A.
- What licence do I need to take L-plates off the SH125i?
- You need an A1 (17+), A2 (19+) or full A (24+) licence and Module 1 / 2 pass — this 125 itself is restricted to learners.
- Is the SH125i reliable?
- Honda has a 2 years unlimited mileage warranty on the SH125i. Best-selling scooter in Italy for over a decade.
- What is the real-world range?
- Claimed economy is 126 mpg and the tank is 8 litres, giving a theoretical range of 222 miles. Real-world budget around 80% of that.
- What insurance group is the SH125i?
- Group 9. As a rough guide, a 25-year-old in zone 2 London with no claims pays around £465 per year third-party fire & theft.
- Is the SH125i good for delivery / courier work?
- Yes — twist-and-go, low running costs and underseat storage make it a strong courier pick. Add a top-box and a £20/yr commercial-use endorsement.
Browse all CBT-legal 125s
Don't have your CBT yet?
You need a valid DL196 certificate before you can legally ride the SH125i on UK roads.
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