Getting around the metro is getting difficult. The increasing number of vehicles on the road, plus terrible driving habits, and ceaseless construction projects make the prospect of leaving the house less and less attractive. In this kind of environment, a small, handy two-wheeler just can’t be beat. Suzuki steps up to the plate with the Address, a nice little fuel-injected scoot that checks all the right boxes.
Design: 3.5/5
The Address is standard fare for the current scooter market. It doesn’t try anything radical, but delivers a solid ride in so doing. The bike doesn’t have quite the same aggressive stance as some scoots out there, which suits its position well. Our test bike came in a fetching shade of blue, and subdued styling. It doesn’t try to look like anything it’s not. It’s a nice change from all the little bikes that try to look meaner than they really are.
This allows the Address to be designed in such a way that makes it comfortable for the rider. A wide, deep seat with more than enough space for a passenger, coupled with a very relaxed seating position and a high, easy-to-reach handlebar make for a bike that’s a lot of fun to take around the city. It’s not so wide as to be a hindrance getting in and out of tight spots, and looks every bit the part of an efficient people mover.
Hardware: 4/5
The Address is pushed along by a 4-stroke, single-cylinder 133 cc, fuel-injected engine. Continuously variable transmission delivers twist-and-go power to the wheels, with front disc brakes providing the stopping power. Bumps are smoothed out by telescopic, oil-damped suspension in the front and the rear swingarm, and the overall package has a wheelbase of 1,260 mm. Shorter riders should have no problem with the seat, which is just 755mm off the ground; easily low enough for even my own 5’4 frame.
User Experience: 4/5
If you’ve spent any time on the road over the last year and a half, you’ll know that the prospect of getting stuck in Metro Manila traffic is enough to call for a solid staycation. Things always look a little different on the ground when you’re on two wheels, and the experience is made all that much better if your ride is actually a solid performer.
From the moment I parked my butt on the Address, I knew I was going to have a nice time. The Address has a wide, comfortable seat that has plenty of room for the rider and a passenger. A lot of the scooters I have been on do give you that level of comfort, but make putting two feet down a little difficult, because the bench is a little too wide. Even with my small frame, and correspondingly short legs, I manage to be able to put both feet down without having to scooch forward on the seat. The distance between the seat and handlebars, an important consideration for fighting fatigue on long rides, is also perfect, so is the height on the same. I could sit on the scooter the whole day, and you wouldn’t hear a word of complaint.
Being an uncomplicated daily driver, a quick squeeze of the brake lever and a single press on the electronic starter brings the little two-wheeler to life. Fuel injection makes sure the engine sparks to life on the first click, and keeps it running optimally throughout your trip. I had no problems getting the bike started at all, and once I did, a little twist of the throttle moves it along with no hesitation.
While a single-cylinder, 113 cc engine might not be the largest power plant out there, it’s plenty for city driving with such a small, light, nimble scooter. The bike responds to throttle inputs with only the slightest delay, and spools up quickly. This is of great benefit when you’re trying to escape being pinched between a bus and a large SUV (take it from my experience). The Address is also surprisingly agile, and more than happy to flit in and out of tight spaces with ease. Both the zippy engine and handy size are a little offset by the brakes. While the bike does have front disc brakes, the feedback from the brake levers was mushy and hard to feel. There is no doubt in my mind it’ll stop when you grab yourself two fistfuls of brake, but I would very much have appreciated a bit of feedback.
Fuel economy on the Address is also top notch, thanks to Suzuki’s excellent fuel injection system. According to the literature, this lets the bike run 100 km with 1.96 L of fuel, and although it didn’t quite match this in real-world conditions, actual performance wasn’t far off. I was barely able to see the needle move the whole time the bike was with me.
Value: 4/5
Getting around the city needn’t be expensive, and this is just the vehicle that proves it. With a price of just PHP 66,900, the Suzuki Address is a tough ride to beat. It’s a fun, comfortable ride, with great fuel economy, and the trusted Suzuki brand. What else could you want in a scooter?
What’s Hot:
– Tastefully edgy styling
– Comfortable ride
What’s Not:
– Brakes could use a bit more feedback
Bottomline:
It’s a great little city bike.
Also published in GADGETS MAGAZINE March 2016 issue
Words and photos by Ren Alcantara