Scooters are, for the most part, a fairly tame affair. Made primarily for getting around the city, their twist-and-go nature makes them perfectly suited to your daily commute. There are people, however, who need a little more than a tame, daily commuter. The Click 150i is just that. If you’re the kind of rider who likes their rides to be practical but have a bit of a kick to it, this might just be what you need in your garage.
Design: 4/5
The Click 150i is easily one of the best-looking scooters you can get your hands on right now. It takes cues from it’s much larger siblings, but does so in a way that keeps it from looking like it’s trying too hard. Sharp lines, from the headlight, down to the stepboard, and all the way back to its pointed tail section give you the impression that it’s meant to go fast. Five-spoke wheels add to this look, and the cherry on top is a gorgeous matte red finish that I could not get enough of. It’s a scooter that’s as much fun to ride as it is to look at, easily setting it apart from all the other ones you will come across on the road.
Hardware: 4.5/5
The heart of this feisty little city rocket is Honda’s 150cc, liquid-cooled, PGM-FI engine that delivers 9.7 kW of power at 8500 RPM, and 13.4 Nm of torque at 5000 RPM. It’s got an automatic transmission for rider convenience, and a hydraulic disc brake at the front. A wheelbase of 1.28 meters makes it agile, and lets you fit it easily between traffic, and a comfortable seat height of about 30.3 inches makes flatfooting it easy, even for smaller riders. Fuel economy is rated at 53 km/l, thanks in part to the idling stop system that kills the engine when stopped, and brings it back to life with a twist of the throttle.
User Experience: 5/5
In terms of practicality, scooters are hard to beat. Traffic in Metro Manila needs no explanation, and one of the best ways to beat it is taking it on with two wheelers. The Click 150i knows what it was built to do, and includes many conveniences for rider comfort. Keyless ignition lets you start and go without having to fish for a key. This is particularly great since safety gear makes that one of the most frustrating tasks you’ll run into on a regular basis. As long as the key is on your person, you simply have to turn a large dial to wake the bike, hit the ignition and drive off. Should you forget where the scooter is in the first place, the fob has a handy button that makes the bike emit a loud beep, and a quick flash of its signal lights, so you can say goodbye to losing your bike in the mall parking.
Honda put a lot of thought into designing the Click 150i, and it shows. A wide, soft seat keeps saddle time comfortable, even through hours of terrible Manila traffic. Agility is way up there, and the bike feels smaller than it actually is. It feels like a combination of the rake angle, lower-set handlebars, and a generally sportier feel than scooters of late. Then, of course, there’s that engine. The engine on this little scooter is nothing to sneeze at, and like that little bit of hot sauce that makes ordinary dishes instantly more interesting, the extra zip is something I really appreciated.
Most scooters, while great for the daily commute, lack the power to put a smile on your face, particularly if you’re used to larger-displacement motorcycles. The Click 150i is not most motorcycles. With a 150cc engine pushing a curb weight of just 113 kg, it’s got more than enough zip to put a smile on your face. And it responds fast. Crack the throttle open, and in a quick beat, you’re pulling back on the handlebars as a smile creeps slowly across your face, with the wind whipping around your helmet. If you need to get yourself out of a tight spot, or have a little weekend fun, this scooter will happily oblige.
Cargo space is something I appreciate, and the Click 150i has plenty. With enough room under the seat to take in a half-face, enough groceries for a solo shopper, or a reasonably large office bag, it allows you to ride unencumbered, further adding to the safety and convenience of this superb commuter.
Value: 3.5/5
The Click 150i can be yours for a sticker price of Php 96,900. It’s a little steep in absolute terms, but you do get a lot for your money. Conveniences such as keyless starting, plenty of storage, Idle Stop, and head-turning design, plus an engine that won’t leave you wanting more power, all make for a convincing value proposition. Should you want a daily ride that has a little extra fun in reserve, this is the bike for you.
What’s hot:
Great design
Plenty of useful power
Lots of rider conveniences
What’s not:
A little pricey
Bottomline:
If I didn’t already have a daily driver, I wouldn’t hesitate to get one myself.
Specs:
Engine Type4 Stroke, SOHC, Liquid-Cooled, eSP, fuel-injected
Displacement150 cc
Suspension (Front)Telescopic
Suspension (Rear)Unit Swing
Brake System (Front)Hydraulic Disc Brake
Brake System (Rear)Mechanical Leading Trailing
Wheelbase: 1,280 mm
Dry Weight / Curb Weight107 kg / 113 kg
Seat Height769 mm
Ground Clearance132 mm
Maximum Power9.7 kW @ 8,500 rpm
Maximum Torque13.4 N.m @ 5,000 rpm
Reviewed by REN ALCANTARA. Also published in GADGETS MAGAZINE May 2019 Issue