Most motorbikes (scooters) in Thailand are just practical and functional “stools” for daily trips. What if you sometimes want to ride more spectacular motorbikes? To do this in Thailand you need to rent a large and fashionable Honda Forza scooter .
Currently, the Honda Forza is the largest motorbike in Thailand. This is something intermediate between a scooter and a full-fledged motorcycle. Basically, these motorbikes “live” in Europe and Japan. Nevertheless, in Thailand, Forza scooters are becoming more and more common on the roads.
In the photo: Honda “Forza” in Thailand – a very foppish scooter
Test drive HondaForza X
Little by little, scooter riders, whose ultimate dreams were previously only a nimble “fifty kopeck,” grow out of “size thirty pants.” Speeds of 60-70 km/h already seem almost pedestrian, and the body persistently demands something more powerful, fast and comfortable. This is true for the vast majority of scooter riders I know, and I've been through it myself too. The thirst to improve their status pushes scooter owners either to install tuning components to the detriment of engine life, or to change equipment. And if we change, what should we take: a maxi-scooter or a motorcycle? Both of these require obtaining a category “A” driver’s license and driving “on license plates”, with all the ensuing consequences. But why bother yourself with changing gears if you're used to an automatic transmission? Why deprive yourself of good protection from wind, dirt and rain? Naturally, there is no need, which means that middle-class scooters fall into the buyer’s field of interest. The Honda Forza 250 is just one of these, but with a caveat: the configuration of this “quarter” would be the envy of other “maxi” cars!
What other 250cc scooter can offer an integral braking system with ABS, a heated seat, an automatic shutdown and engine start function in traffic jams, as well as many other nice little things like a parking brake, a cigarette lighter socket or a mobile phone charger? And the 2001 model has all this. Due to the abundant “stuffing” and the great rarity of this scooter model in Ukraine, it was doubly interesting for us to test it and find out what this “miracle of technology” is.
As for a 250, the scooter is quite large, but it is “built” well, so there is no feeling of “communication” with the sofa. The device can even be safely classified as a tourist class, because it has a high windshield, a seat with a comfortable backrest, and a standard mount for a trunk. The exterior also works in unison with the practical essence of the scooter: it is calm, solid and “timeless”.
The day, or rather the evening of the test, turned out to be cloudy and rainy. Wet asphalt combined with fallen leaves promised “a sea of sensations,” so the ABS installed on the scooter instilled a sense of confidence for the near future. After a quick inspection of the “experimental” equipment, I wanted to quickly “fall” onto the huge seat, start the engine and drive along the deserted streets of the outskirts in order to have time to make friends with the equipment before leaving for the city filled with cars. Sitting behind the wheel, you feel like a hand in a glove: your lower back rests comfortably on the high back of the seat, the driver is in a semi-relaxed position. There is plenty of room for your legs. It will be easy and comfortable to cover significant distances outside the city on this Honda, and the care of the designers has extended to the passenger.
You can start the engine only with the side stand folded. I put the key in the ignition, turn it, squeeze the rear brake until it clicks, press the starter button, and... nothing happens! It turns out that according to the designers' idea, you need to squeeze the brake until the second click, applying a little more force to the handle. On the one hand, reinsurance is clearly unnecessary, on the other hand, the scooter is guaranteed not to move away from under you if the gas handle “accidentally” ends up in the turned position.
Well, here we go. The single-cylinder engine murmurs quietly at idle, but if you slightly touch the throttle, a pleasant bass note can be heard from the exhaust pipe. This sound is not at all similar to the sound of the usual 250 cc “single-barrel”: it seems that under you there is at least a “four hundred”. However, it doesn’t go further than impressions: the character of the engine is calm and balanced. And was it worth expecting anything else from 22 “horses” forced to drag as much as 180 kg of mass? The scooter takes off smoothly and majestically, like an ocean liner. If you are in no hurry, then Forza 250 will become a faithful companion on your leisurely journey. If it suddenly occurs to you to “be funny,” then you won’t be able to do it any other way than by turning the gas “all the way.”
In the city crowd, large dimensions will not allow you to squeeze between the rows, forcing you to accept the rules of the car game. In the traffic jams we got into along the way, we had to work hard with the steering wheel and muscles to squeeze through right next to the curb, or attack the pedestrian zone, jumping onto low edges and jumping off them. The scooter's clearance allowed us to do this without worrying too much about the danger of scratching the bottom.
When driving in “traffic light” mode, you can easily save a little gasoline, and at the same time please the “green” gentlemen. Even if you just stand still and don’t touch anyone, the all-seeing eye of the electronics tirelessly monitors the engine, and after just five seconds of inactivity it will helpfully turn it off. To start again, you just need to turn the throttle a little and the computer will turn on the engine itself. Interestingly, this function is only available on the Forza modification with a pre-installed ABS system.
Having escaped from the traffic jam, you can finally give the gas and... fly into a hole, of which there are quite a few on the streets. It is very problematic to go around one and not get into the other, so we paved the way right along them. Shallow, up to 3 cm, potholes were passed so quietly that it seemed as if they were not there at all. Slightly larger holes touched the suspension to the quick, but it still worked out them as well as possible. The 33 mm telescopic fork has a rigid structure and a soft ride. The rear shock absorbers have 7 degrees of hardness, and on the third of them, the rear suspension allows you to gently overcome small unevenness and even drive onto curbs, while even the passenger does not feel significant impacts on his “fifth point”.
We don’t often have the opportunity to test equipment in the evening, so it was all the more interesting to find out how things are with the “night vision” of the Honda Forza 250. There is almost always enough low beam in the city, the high beam is also good, and it also allows you to “drive away” your sweet soul. cars from the strip (in the dark it seems to them that at least a Honda VTR-SP2 is hanging on their tail). The brake light, in addition to traditional lamps, is equipped with an LED line located under the decorative “spoiler”. In daylight, as well as in its absence, LEDs shine much brighter than conventional headlights and light up instantly. The dashboard illumination is a pleasant red shade; it does not reduce the readability of the scales.
Darkness has another wonderful property: it teaches you the value of brakes. Fortunately, there is nothing to complain about here - the combined braking system with ABS provides extremely effective deceleration. In order to slow down quickly and safely, you just need to press the left lever, which will activate both the rear brake and one piston of the three-piston front brake. In an extreme situation, such as braking on sand or in the rain, ABS works out its value by “five”. With the brakes pressed all the way, a faint squeal of rubber was heard only for a split second, but the wheels continued to rotate and the scooter continued to slow down, without a single hint of skidding. "Bravo!" - I triumphed in my heart, glad that that evening I would not have to give my money for repainting such an expensive scooter.
Gradually the test was coming to an end, but I didn’t want to part with this Honda. The scooter left a very pleasant impression - beautiful, comfortable and incredibly friendly. On the road, you are taken into account, since the Honda gives the impression of a fairly expensive device, and you feel like a worthy road user.
The scooter, which has so many names: Honda Jazz in Europe, Honda Feflex in America, Honda Forza in Japan, has declared itself as a good mid-size scooter. Stylish, comfortable and economical, it competes equally with the Yamaha Majesty 250, and in some ways even surpasses it. It may not be as playful as the Majesty, but it is suitable for those people who know how to enjoy life slowly and, above all, prefer comfort when traveling on two wheels.
Text: Vladislav Sofonov
Photo: author
Reviews from tourists about trips on the Honda “Forza”
In the photo: the Honda Forza motorbike is becoming increasingly popular in Thailand.
Tourists have mixed opinions about this motorbike. Most tourists like scooters, but few rent them. Firstly, because of the price (on average 1,100 baht per day), and secondly, because of the unusual dimensions - the Honda “Forza” is still an indecently long motorbike, even by Thai standards.
In the photo: the Honda Forza scooter is even larger than the Honda PCX
The Honda Forza motorbike is very similar to the Honda PCX scooter. However, there are many differences in characteristics and design. Forza is much larger than PCX. The 300cc engine makes this unit ideal for long highway trips.
In the photo: Honda Forza scooter
The suspension holds the road well and absorbs all the bumps. However, the dimensions and large turning radius add inconvenience to an inexperienced driver when driving and parking.
In the photo: the Honda Forza motorbike looks especially impressive from the front
Another difference is that the luggage compartment under the Forza’s seat has become larger, and now two motorcycle helmets can easily fit there.
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MotoDrive magazineLittle by little, scooter riders, whose ultimate dreams were previously only a nimble “fifty kopeck,” grow out of “size thirty pants.” Speeds of 60-70 km/h already seem almost pedestrian, and the body persistently demands something more powerful, fast and comfortable. This is true for the vast majority of scooter riders I know, and I've been through it myself too. The thirst to improve their status pushes scooter owners either to install tuning components to the detriment of engine life, or to change equipment. And if we change, what should we take: a maxi-scooter or a motorcycle? Both of these require obtaining a category “A” driver’s license and driving “on license plates”, with all the ensuing consequences. But why bother yourself with changing gears if you're used to an automatic transmission? Why deprive yourself of good protection from wind, dirt and rain? Naturally, there is no need, which means that middle-class scooters fall into the buyer’s field of interest. The Honda Forza 250 is just one of these, but with a caveat: the configuration of this “quarter” would be the envy of other “maxi” cars!
What other 250cc scooter can offer an integral braking system with ABS, a heated seat, an automatic shutdown and engine start function in traffic jams, as well as many other nice little things like a parking brake, a cigarette lighter socket or a mobile phone charger? And the 2001 model has all this. Due to the abundant “stuffing” and the great rarity of this scooter model in Ukraine, it was doubly interesting for us to test it and find out what this “miracle of technology” is. As for a “250”, the scooter is quite large, but it is “built” well, so there is no feeling of “communication” with the sofa. The device can even be safely classified as a tourist class, because it has a high windshield, a seat with a comfortable backrest, and a standard mount for a trunk. The exterior also works in unison with the practical essence of the scooter: it is calm, solid and “timeless”.
The day, or rather the evening of the test, turned out to be cloudy and rainy. Wet asphalt combined with fallen leaves promised “a sea of sensations,” so the ABS installed on the scooter instilled a sense of confidence for the near future. After a quick inspection of the “experimental” equipment, I wanted to quickly “fall” onto the huge seat, start the engine and drive along the deserted streets of the outskirts in order to have time to make friends with the equipment before leaving for the city filled with cars. Sitting behind the wheel, you feel like a hand in a glove: your lower back rests comfortably on the high back of the seat, the driver is in a semi-relaxed position. There is plenty of room for your legs. It will be easy and comfortable to cover significant distances outside the city on this Honda, and the care of the designers has extended to the passenger. You can start the engine only with the side stand folded. I put the key in the ignition, turn it, squeeze the rear brake until it clicks, press the starter button, and... nothing happens! It turns out that according to the designers' idea, you need to squeeze the brake until the second click, applying a little more force to the handle. On the one hand, reinsurance is clearly unnecessary, on the other hand, the scooter is guaranteed not to move away from under you if the gas handle “accidentally” ends up in the turned position. Well, here we go. The single-cylinder engine murmurs quietly at idle, but if you slightly touch the throttle, a pleasant bass note can be heard from the exhaust pipe. This sound is not at all similar to the sound of the usual 250 cc “single-barrel”: it seems that under you there is at least a “four hundred”. However, it doesn’t go further than impressions: the character of the engine is calm and balanced. And was it worth expecting anything else from 22 “horses” forced to drag as much as 180 kg of mass? The scooter takes off smoothly and majestically, like an ocean liner. If you are in no hurry, then Forza 250 will become a faithful companion on your leisurely journey. If it suddenly occurs to you to “be funny,” then you won’t be able to do it any other way than by turning the gas “to the full.”
In the city crowd, large dimensions will not allow you to squeeze between the rows, forcing you to accept the rules of the car game. In the traffic jams we got into along the way, we had to work hard with the steering wheel and muscles to squeeze through right next to the curb, or attack the pedestrian zone, jumping onto low edges and jumping off them. The scooter's clearance allowed us to do this without worrying too much about the danger of scratching the bottom. When driving in “traffic light” mode, you can easily save a little gasoline, and at the same time please the “green” gentlemen. Even if you just stand still and don’t touch anyone, the all-seeing eye of the electronics tirelessly monitors the engine, and after just five seconds of inactivity it will helpfully turn it off. To start again, you just need to turn the throttle a little and the computer will turn on the engine itself. Interestingly, this function is only available on the Forza modification with a pre-installed ABS system.
Having escaped from the traffic jam, you can finally give the gas and... fly into a hole, of which there are quite a few on the streets. It is very problematic to go around one and not get into the other, so we paved the way right along them. Shallow, up to 3 cm, potholes were passed so quietly that it seemed as if they were not there at all. Slightly larger holes touched the suspension to the quick, but it still worked out them as well as possible. The 33 mm telescopic fork has a rigid structure and a soft ride. The rear shock absorbers have 7 degrees of hardness, and on the third of them, the rear suspension allows you to gently overcome small unevenness and even drive onto curbs, while even the passenger does not feel significant impacts on his “fifth point”. We don’t often have the opportunity to test equipment in the evening, so it was all the more interesting to find out how things are with the “night vision” of the Honda Forza 250. There is almost always enough low beam in the city, the high beam is also good, and it also allows you to “drive away” your sweet soul. cars from the strip (in the dark it seems to them that at least a Honda VTR-SP2 is hanging on their tail). The brake light, in addition to traditional lamps, is equipped with an LED line located under the decorative “spoiler”. In daylight, as well as in its absence, LEDs shine much brighter than conventional headlights and light up instantly. The dashboard illumination is a pleasant red shade; it does not reduce the readability of the scales. Darkness has another wonderful property: it teaches you the value of brakes. Fortunately, there is nothing to complain about here - the combined braking system with ABS provides extremely effective deceleration. In order to slow down quickly and safely, you just need to press the left lever, which will activate both the rear brake and one piston of the three-piston front brake. In an extreme situation, such as braking on sand or in the rain, ABS works out its value by “five”. With the brakes pressed all the way, a faint squeal of rubber was heard only for a split second, but the wheels continued to rotate and the scooter continued to slow down, without a single hint of skidding. "Bravo!" - I triumphed in my heart, glad that that evening I would not have to give my money for repainting such an expensive scooter. Gradually the test was coming to an end, but I didn’t want to part with this Honda. The scooter left a very pleasant impression - beautiful, comfortable and incredibly friendly. On the road, you are taken into account, since the Honda gives the impression of a fairly expensive device, and you feel like a worthy road user. The scooter, which has so many names: Honda Jazz in Europe, Honda Feflex in America, Honda Forza in Japan, has declared itself as a good mid-size scooter. Stylish, comfortable and economical, it competes equally with the Yamaha Majesty 250, and in some ways even surpasses it. It may not be as playful as the Majesty, but it is suitable for those people who know how to enjoy life slowly and, above all, prefer comfort when traveling on two wheels.
Text: Vladislav Sofonov Photo: author
