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Brief Ride On A Honda Innova 125
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renwithnell@hotmail.com
I've been looking at purchasing one of these simply for its splendid
fuel economy. I found a second hand one, 2 years old with 2000
miles on the clock for £895. I asked the shopkeeper for a
test ride. Since I had to leave my NTV 600 there he seemed sure I
would return with the bike, so off I went for a 4-mile ride.
The very first thing is the gearbox is semi automatic and "upside-down"
from normal motorcycles. Sitting on the machine it felt very
small and very light, which is to be expected. Press down on the
gearshift and a slight "clunk" emits from the engine as the gears
engage. A slight twist on the throttle and away we go. Just
riding off the car park the motorcycle is very light and surprisingly
twitchy after being on a heavy machine. It is like getting back
onto a pushbike.
Pulling away onto the main road I twist the throttle and the response
is very impressive! 2nd gear is fiddly, not due to the
motorcycle, due to my having to remember to press down on the
gearshift, not up. A click later I am up to 30mph, very
quickly. Changing down is very clunky and jerky, again I will not
blame the machine, it is my lack of experience with the semi automatic
gearbox.
Acceleration. Getting up to 30 and 40 mph is very easy and
surprisingly fast. Around town I would be able to leave most cars
behind at the traffic lights and shock a few motorcycles too.
Beyond 40 mph acceleration slows. On the only 60 mph stretch of
road I covered it took ages to get to 55 mph then I ran out of
road. Other owners inform me it should reach 70 mph and cruise at
60 mph. It did not quite feel up to those speeds to me, but I
should imagine cruising on motorways behind lorries at 55 to 60 mph
would not be a problem.
The handling was a shock, not to the good. I am used to a big
heavy 600 with wider tyres. The Innova has skinny tyres and only
weighs something like 99kg. As such it feels sharp and wobbly,
like a pushbike. Again it is unfair to try and compare the
machines back to back. I think the handling would be fine if I
adjusted my riding accordingly. It does not help when my test
machine had a slightly flat rear tyre.
The gearbox is very confusing after riding my normal motorcycle.
I'm sure it would be fine if I had the chance to get used to it.
The build quality leaves a lot to be desired on the Innova. I
have viewed 2 bikes, both about 2 years old, both very low mileage and
both were rusting badly. With an initial purchase price of
£1700 this machine is obviously built to a price, and it shows as
it ages. I think if I could catch it early enough a good coating
of grease, oil and WD40 would be the best solution. The motor is
a bored out and updated version of the C90 engine that was renowned for
its reliability. I can only hope Honda has not cut corners on the
motor.
Fuel economy should be excellent. Honda reports in excess of 200
mpg at a constant 33 mph. Not a very real figure, most users
report between 110 and 150 mpg under a more normal usage. In this day
of rising fuel costs this is the sole reason I am tempted to buy
one. I would cut my fuel bills in more than half.
The Honda ANF 125 Innova is very obviously aimed at commuters
travelling mostly in town. Once you get used to the gears and the
handling, I should think it would be more than perfect. I would
use mine for much further trips. It is not suited to this, not
like my 600cc shaft driven v twin. But there in lies the
challenge. Anyone for a trip to Faro, on an Innova?
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The most recent comments are at the bottom...
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Bill
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I have been riding motorcycles since 1963 and have owned a fair number of bikes from 32cc!! to 800cc. My current bike is a 2006 Innova which I think is the about best bike in the world! Why you might ask? Its light so you dont get a hernia trying to move it. It has a central stand AND a prop stand. It has tyre's with inner tubes so YOU and not a garage can fix punctures. It has proper mudguards (unlike that bike on the home page) so all the crap off the roads does not go over YOU or the engine!!!It has a enclosed chain. and one can check and set the tappets which cuts out local bike shops and the losers who work there. Naturely if you insist going fast the petrol tank capacity is small but then you dont have to worry about speed cameras or traffic cops! Unlike a big bike one can sit on the seat with both feet on the ground....great in snow and no hand clutch means great control in icy conditions (as you can see I am not a 'fair weather biker') The Honda 90 was a great bike and the Innova is a improved version of this. Big bikes and speed is all very well (I have been there!) But when touring whats the point when you are travelling SO fast you cannot see the country your touring through??! Buy a Innova and enjoy a motorcycle like it should be driven.
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Potty
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Great bike! What more can I say. It's ideally suited for the city. Cheap to maintain and it's beautiful too:)
I bought windshield which is mandatory for the cold days.
The fuel economy is 2,5L for 100km(city driving).
The free space under the seat is useful for putting my security chain and gloves . The small fuel tank is somewhat inconvenient.
I made one longer trip(200km) and realized that the seat is not so comfortable. Tried different seating positions and with both legs on the left side of the bike seems to be working.
Now I will just buy a blanket because the legs are not protected from the wind at all and when the temperature is under 5C it's quite chilly.
Front light is useful and the turn signals are very bright, which is nice. Bike is doing 90km/h with no problems and when out of town my cruising speed is around 75-80km/h.
There are some stupid rattling noises from the plastics where the headlight is located. But with some rubber in the joints all will go away I guess.
And last words for the breaks - they are pretty good.
If you are thinking of buying an Innova go ahead you won't regret it.
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Nod
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With regard to jerky gearchanges on mopeds:
On mopeds I've rented here in Thailand this annoyed me, especially when trying to drive smoothly with a pillion. But there's a knack! There is in fact a clutch on these things just it's operated by the gear pedal. After you click a change the return movement of the pedal eases the clutch into drive as it springs back to the rest position.
Bang the pedal and let it flick back and it will jerk the drive. Bang the pedal but then ease it gently back with your foot, balancing with throttle as normal, and she'll pick up the reins with some manners.
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Nod
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I've just bought a Thai built version of the Innova called a Honda Nice. Same engine. Very little bodywork to rattle, no fairing etc. Has proper forks and all the mods to raise the suspension, add knobblies, motorcross bars etc are available for peanuts from the guys who set them up for the motorcross-track conditions found on many Thai islands. I'm hoping like hell to be able to ride it back to the UK using less fuel than the equivalent air flight. Paperwork's tricky, though. Lovely little bike but I'd agree about the seat. Did 200km to Kanchanaburi on my old one and needed to stretch a lot. My old nice, a 110, did 104mpg.
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John
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I brought my Honda Innova one year ago, and having not been on two wheels for over ten years, find it a superb little bike, and a great development on my 1979 C70 which is still in my garage. I did intend to use it in all weathers, but it is far too nice to be abused, and use it mainly for work when conditions permit.
Only negative view is the small fuel tank, which is only a minor issue for me.
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keith
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Ive had my Innova now justover two years from new.Like most people I wanted an updated cub which I have had many.The Innova is basically a great bike for commuting but there are a few problems I have encountered. The genuine Honda screen develops stress cracks almost immediately,this is not due to bad fitting because my friends did the same and I believe Honda have now withdrawn them. Also the gear indicator sender unit gets covered in slime and eventually gives up the ghost..not a problem as such but annoying when the gear display does not light. Also my electric start has packed up..perhaps its just bad luck? Dont let me put you off because its still a great cheap mode of transport and so far the engine is 100% reliable
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Alan
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I ride this bike on deliveries. Tiny tank the worst thing about this machine. However ours get treatedshockingly and still work. Average.
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Andy P
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I bought my innova new just over a year ago to replace my 20 year old 90 cub. This machine is far better. Iam getting around 90 miles to the tank and seeing 60 to 65 mph. Went on a round trip of 370 miles a few weeks ago (Mad you may say well hey its a honda) without a murmour. As other comments the seat is hard but you can live with it. All I do is change the oil. The one other thing I tend do regularly is empty the little transparent rubber water trap an the front of the air filter as it does seem to accumulate water very quickly.I gave up on my local honda dealer for servicing. I normally give it a once over in an hour or two. Its a brilliant little machine.(Hopefully another 20 yearer).
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paulo
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as stated before the 125 innova is a updated version of the c90. i owned a c90 before i purchased a innova, the innova handles a lot better then the c90 with better breaks and suspension and a extra gear to get up 60/70 mph. the only real fault i can find with the innova is after you have been riding for 5 hours the seat is realy uncomfortable and i am having a cross gel pad put in the front part of the seat on mine hopfully this will aleviate the problem. as for reliability it is just as good as the c90, i have done 3x200 miles plus trips on the bike with no problems.
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Will Shaw
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Thankyou for a very informative review! I am hoping to buy an innova....would you recommend one new or secondhand?
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steve jones
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hi evry 1 iv just bought a 2005 honda innova 125 iv heard thay r good bikes, can eny1 tell wot thay r like
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dan
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i drive a innova evey day and the restricted ones are very slow they will only do 55mph and it takes a long time to get there but if you get it deristed it will do 70mph and down a very steep hill 80mph it still takes time to get to 70 but mot to long
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Malcolm
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Many thanks for the very helpful review and everyone's comments. My trusty BMW R80RT is becoming a little too heavy to manouver when out of the saddle (rhumatism and advancing years!)and I am considering a small runabout for local trips with low running costs. Saw an ad in MCN for a Chinese Znen 125cc scooter offering 100mpg at £1100 new but worry about the quality & spares. Ran Vespa's over 30 years ago but fancy a newer design. Suzuki do a similar one to the Innover I'm told (but better according to the local dealer I just spoke to)which I will look at.
Nearest Innova stockist to east lancs is some distance away to view/test but am now encouraged to buy one -new -if my bid for a 2006 one on e-bay is not successful.
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Tom
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I've owned an 04 reg Innova for just over a year now. Many good points - light, reliable, easiet kick-start ever, very able solo in town and on open roads.
Down side? Minimal luggage capacity, stupidly tiny fuel tank and performance killed stone dead when two-up.
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Chris
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I had a C70 in 1979. I have progressed through big BMWs and now have a ST1100.
I bought the Innova last week and have already put on 500 miles. The bike is great, although as others have said, the fuel tank is small but then, every time I fill up I smile at the money I'm saving!
Where can I get a workshop manual? Can the rear suspension be adjusted? If so, how?
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Bill
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Hello, A few more comments to my comment....the first one at the top! The seat is very hard after 20 miles for me on my left hip though this proberly because I landed there after a bad crash in 1975 when some berk knocked me off my Yamaha! I never have problems with the small tank then again my usual speed is 33 mph! Strangly enough the engine fairing cracked across the area from the right side 'window/port/inspection hole' to the side after being replaced after I did the 5000 mile service. You can use the Haynes workshop manual for the Innova. My last 'ride to work bike' was a Honda 90, the two bikes are more or less the same! There is a company down in Aston, Birmingham that recovers motorcycle seats. May take seat there as existing one is like its stuffed with railway sleepers!!!
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Bogger
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I've got a C90 12v and an earlier 2T Yamaha V90. I've recently bought an 03 Reg Innova second hand to keep them company . What a fantastic machine. Cruises at 60mph without effort does 101 mls+ before it needs refuelling. It handles really well, with good brakes, The engines dead smooth, as is the gearchange. All in all I'm well impressed. If you're thinking of buying one,think no longer, just buy one. You will not regret it.
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Luke, Brighton
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I've had one for a while now and I do a 40 mile trip 4 times a week and thrash around town, 2 up on the weekends. It's so manageable and cheap compared to other larger bikes I've had. The engine feels just like a bored out C90 with an extra gear for cruising 'cause you can never get it to full revs in top anyway.
Also, I'm 13 stone and took it through Normandy, riding all day for a few days and it loved it. The power is delivered so smoothly or is it just that there isn't any? Anyway it has been completely reliable so far.
Servicing may be slightly higher then the cub 'cause I had the back tyre wear out once and that never happened on a cub! I've taken 2 links out the chain and apparently it takes oil as well!
All in all, if you have to travle at under 70 and would like 100+ to the gallon then wear an anorak. No one will ever know it's you!
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RP
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Great bike. I have just returned from a 1,983 mile round trip from Gloucestershire to Spain. Bike behaved faultlessly and averaged about 180mpg even laden with my camping kit strapped on the back.
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konka
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velly good reporte
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emma d,21, Enfield
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I have one (doing the London Knowledge on it)- and love it !
I started off with a 1996 C90 and so I was used to the the gear shift - a nice natural progression ! Yes, it is a definite move upwards, but I'm not sure it's a classic !
The ride is good (up to 50mph) and then it's a bit of a sailing dingy - tacking isn't my thing on the 'West Cross Route'. Yer, but no, but that shouldn't put anyone off of this urban machine. The innova is a lovely little bike - and probably the best London Commuter bike - Although I wouldn't mind a SH125 !
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Wayne of Cheshunt
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Emma d; your review made me laugh... you'll make a great 'cabbie'!
Anyhow, I did the same thing (C90 to Innova) on da Knowledge. The major advantage the Innova had was it's acceleration (keeping pace with traffic). I reckon Honda could have found away of fitting a bigger tank - a bit of a bind, as stopping for fuel is a pet hate !
All in all a great city bike, and one I would recommend to Knowledge Boys.
Ps. Emma d - Henry's Place, Garrett Lane, Earlswood does a lovely cup of tea !
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Brian
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Is there an oil filter on Innova? My mate has one and just can't find a filter,,,,,
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Tony
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MY ANF is a 2007. Im using it for the knowledge and it is currently on 35000 miles and still going. Its a little tatty but has not let me down apart from the dreaded punctures with the tubes...
Great little bike which does 65 mph at a stretch but its not enjoyable like that.
50-55 is alot more pleasant..
Great on petrol and £15 road tax for 1 year a bargain.
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john r
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enine is not a bored and updated c90. its a ompletely new unit that shares little with the earlier step thrus.
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Bill
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Hello, I went on the bus (national free bus pass!) to Birmingham to go to Leightons in Aston who recovered my year 2000 Royal Enfield 350cc pan saddle for me. This time it was the iron hard Innova seat's turn! They did a good job though the seat feels slightly higher. (not much) Now I can ride for ages without my hips paining me (1975 bike accident) and now the bike is even more better! Was looking on internet for that wire basket one see's on Far Eastern Innovas but nothing in England. One supplier in Far East BUT dodgy feelings as card fraud comes to mind!
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Bill (again!)
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I think some of you are having us on! Some of the speeds quoted here are a joke. I recently went down Rose Hill by the Lickey Hills in South Birmingham. This is a old Roman road and was used by the near-by Austin works to test the cars on. It was trying to rain so I wanted to get home QUICK! I did prolonged 40 mph and that was the fastest I could GO! 85 mph indeed! Come onnnn...(the bike at 40 mph was as smooth as a LE Velocette!)
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Neil
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Ahhhh Bill, all the posts were going so well until your last comment about only getting 40mph, - are you a big chap ? This can't be right.
I started off with a Vespa 'Sportique, Yamaha DT175, Honda CB400/4, then hit hard times with a C50, 4 different C90's and currently a C90 electric start.
I've done 50,200 miles, but it has a patent rear wheel, and the metal lining of the brake drum is soft and after fitting new shoes I only have a few millimetres adjustment.
I cannot get another patent any more except a crap Chinese job and a genuine Honda rear is £400+, SO I AM EYEING UP THE NEW INNOVA. A comment about rust put me off, but it is the seat which worries me the most as I do long trips of 35 miles each way almost daily and I don't like a sore bum.
How do you put in bigger padding whilst retaining the same seat cover ?
Honda windscreen cracking worries me (was the replacement OK ?) as does the engine fairing splitting, but no one has mentioned a top box being fitted behind the seat, can this be done as I bring back my weeks shopping in it and carry a large tool kit, plus waterproofs.
On my current C90MT I change the engine oil every 1,000miles without fail because I've ruined the previous 3 with the main bearings giving up each time because I'm told I don't allow the engine to cool down/not stopping on long journeys of 150 miles or more, but I do stop for half hour now every 35 miles.
Should I persevere with a replacement rear wheel or get a new Innova ?
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Neil
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By the way, it was the housing that the main bearing fits into on the left hand crank case which wore out, not the bearings itself and the shop said you cannot fit a sleeve or liner nor was it possible to insert anything to stop the whole bearing itself from turning round in the housing.
I also bought a Chinese made patent con rod with big end bearings for my old C90E - after 90 miles the big end failed ! (and the fastest I went was 40 mph)
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Bill (even more!)
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Hello Neil, I have a top box fitted from new and its most usefull. The cracked right engine fairing is still cracked but my local bike shop who does my MOT says the crack wont interfer with the passing of eeerrr...the MOT! While currently (July 2010) doing the 7000 service I notice other cracked bits! Maybe the 2006 plastic was a bit dodgy?? Take a look at the HONDA 90 message board/forum, most usefull and nice fellers.
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Bill (sob!)
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Neil, Oh yes...the seat! Leightons put a new cover on so no 'HONDA' on seat back....the seat is now comfortable for longer but maybe a gel cushion may be a additional purchase. But I still have to stop after around 20 miles (at 33mph) as my legs start acheing, anyway a little walk keeps you alert! I go slow by choice. some person claimed 80 mph off a Innova!? No way to trat a bike....
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chippy
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Hi Came across your site while looking around for some advice re starting problem on my 2006 anf, noticed only one ref to my grief but enjoyed the posts it seems to have Agood reputation with quite serious bike fans as well as the strictly when I have to user like me, great bike though, just one thing how the hell do you get the thing to do 65 and if its true what do you need to be on to have the balls to be onit at the time.? once again great site.
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Bill...
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O.K. I admit to being a 'bumbler' and usually, stick to 33 mph AND have a blob of paint on the speedo at 30 mph. The rust and splitting covers? Just slather on grease on the rust prone parts. The covers can be repaired with home made bits a nuts and bolts! Just found a marvelous site for proper Honda parts....Lings Honda. Exploded parts diagrams, etc. The speed 'claims' here and elsewhere I wont comment on (snigger!) but if you want to go fast buy a Honda Fireblade!! Why bugger up a pal just to go FAST? The bike is not for that market....well, its your money...your choice!
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Neil (Suffolk)
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Thanks all to replies to my previous posts.
Well I took the plunge and got myself a new Innova, besides, having had so many C90's I was getting chock-a-block with spares.
First impressions are the handling is much more responsive with just the slight unintentional twist of the throttle when using the front brake enough to make me slightly nervous, but you quickly get the hang of it.
I also found I had accelerated up to 40mph when I thought I was legally doing 30mph (great acceleration) !
Worries about the seat proved to be unfounded, it's harder but not really an issue.
What is an issue is the smaller fuel capacity compared to my C90, combined with an electronic fuel gauge which I find a problem to calculate. To make matters worse, if you use the side stand, when you next turn on the engine you appear to have lost a segment on the display, making me panic at first as I had no idea if I had enough in the tank to get to the next station, but after a few miles the display settled down, but for me, it's a real nuisance not being able to know how much further you dare go before finding a station.
This leads me to filling up when half empty to be safe, but on pumps it say's 'minimum 2 litres' and I can't get 2 litres in !
I've never been told off though.
Biggest concern is engine 'growling' under acceleration in third and forth gears. This may be a characteristic of the bike, but it sounds like engine knocking to me (but obviously it can't be) so I will be taking it back to dealer today for reassurance.
I have 750 miles on the clock, but soon I want to take it on a long journey and nobody can tell me when I should stop to let the engine/oil cool down. I wrecked previous C90's because of the small amount of oil capacity making the oil like water on long journeys causing the main bearings to wear out the recess in the left crankcase half so that the bearing itself was revolving in the housing, leading to crankshaft rattle (well, that's what my local dealer told me anyway)
Perhaps, that's the reason Honda has given the Innova a small tank, so that the bike cools down during petrol fill ups, if people wrongly use it for touring ?
I read somewhere of obtaining greater speeds if following a lorry, WELL DON'T, not only is it stupid, but it's annoying to the lorry driver and could even tempt him to 'dab' his brakes at speed to put the shites up you and serves you right.
Dan reckons a 'de-restricted' bike will do 70 mph and 80 mph down a steep hill, don't believe you ! After doing 600 miles I thought I'd see how fast it would go on a long straight with little wind ....... 65 mph was what I achieved, 80 mph yes, if thrown off a cliff.
RP mentions a trip to Spain and averaging 180 mpg with his camping gear even strapped to his back, he forgot to mention the caravan he was towing ....... sorry Dan, I find 180 mpg too improbable.
I've spotted some really rusty Innova's, but who wants to put WD40 or grease even on a nice new, shiny bike ?
I definitely will in winter when salt is put down, but there is so much plastic panelling I'm slightly worried of WD40 spray drift weakening these panels.
A lot of negatives in this post, sorry about that, so quickly summing up: GO AHEAD AND BUY ONE NOW WHILE THEY ARE STILL IN STOCK. (coz I'm a happy bunny now I have one)
Neil.
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andrew french
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i have owned honda 90's for nearly 30 years and bought an innova 3 years ago.
i think the handling is fantastic when dunlop tyres are fitted and inflated to maximum psi.
i have never got more than 150 mpg.
i have no problem with build quality mine is now 7 years old with the exhaust just starting to rot, everything else is fine.
the longest run i have done is to norway to the krystal rally.
my only complaint is the small fuel tank just over 3 ltrs which gives a range of approx 80 miles.
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