If you live in the city and have ever stewed in gridlock, no doubt you’ve felt a tinge of envy at all the motorcycle riders filtering their way in traffic. For urban commuters who travel light, a motorcycle is an efficient and economical way to get around. Among the various categories of motorcycles, scooters are the most practical. Their chair-like seating position is comfortable, the twist-and-go drivetrain is a no brainer, and they are light and nimble. In fact, while most scooters are primarily designed for city use, many riders use their scooters for out of town jaunts.
There are literally dozens of scooter models and variants to choose from, but you can choose the one that’s best for you based on three price points: entry-level, midrange, and premium. Note that for this article we’re limiting the choices to a maximum of 155cc; larger displacements such as 300-400cc “maxi-scooters” are for another time.
Entry-Level: P66,900-76,900
This category has the scooters like the Honda BeAT and Click 125, Suzuki Skydrive, Yamaha Mio Sporty, and Kymco Super 8. These scoots are rather basic with analogue instrument panels (except for the Click), 12-13” tires, and generally smaller displacement engines like the 110cc in the BeAT. Except for the 11ps-rated Honda Click 125cc, power is usually less than 9ps, and all use air-cooling to save on weight and costs. With the exception of the carbureted Mio Sporty, all other scooters in this category use fuel injection. ABS is not available in any model. This category is good for buyers who just want a basic, no-frills setup for short commutes and maximum fuel efficiency.
Mid-Range: P79,900 – 122,900
You get a lot of choices here, and arguably get the most bang-for-the-buck in this segment. There’s a scooter to suit the tastes of the sporty, the urbane, and the style-conscious. For example, the Kymco Like 125 features European-inspired styling (actually, it looks like a Vespa clone), and gets you going with a 124.6cc engine rated at 9.5ps and 9.5Nm of torque. You also get thoughtful details like a front compartment and a 12V power outlet. A similarly styled variant is the Like 150i ABS (P119,000), featuring more power and dual-channel ABS; a rarity in this segment where most ABS systems only work on the front disc brake.
Honda has two choices for you: the sporty Airblade (P109,000), or the popular Click 150i (P98,900). Both are propelled by a 150cc motor rated at 13ps and 13.4Nm, and feature nice details like LED lighting, digital instrumentation, and the SMART key system with “answer-back” function so it can chirp for you in a crowded parking lot. Honda is also proud of their standard Idling Stop System, which kills the engine at stoplights and quickly restarts when it’s time to go. The Airblade has ABS, while the Click does not.
Yamaha’s entries in this segment are the racy Mio Aerox S (P122,900 with ABS) and the more urbane NMax. The Aerox reminds you of Yamaha’s proud racing heritage, and it wears comparatively fat tires (110/80-14 front and 140/70-14 rear) for exciting handling. Its 155cc engine produces 15ps @ 8,000rpm and 13.8Nm @ 6,250rpm and is liquid-cooled to deal with the higher compression. With a relatively light 118kg curb weight, it’s no wonder the Aerox is a favorite of the sporty crowd. In contrast, the heavier NMax (127kg) uses chunkier bodywork for a more cosmopolitan aesthetic. It has the same engine as the Aerox, but tuned for more torque. At this price point, digital instrumentation, SMART keys, and engine start/stop are standard features.
Premium: P133,900-185,000
In this segment, some entries have features that entry-level cars don’t even have. The Shinkansen-styled Honda PCX150 (P133,900) features a huge 28-liter underseat box, LED lights, and SMART key. Its more “off-roady” sibling is the P149,000 ADV150. With knobbier tires, long travel suspension, and front and rear disc brakes with ABS, it’s not really designed for serious off-roading. However, if your commute involves plenty of potholes and bad roads (or you just like the look), then it’s quite a catch. Sort of like a two-wheel HR-V. Both the PCX150 and the ADV150 use a liquid-cooled, 150cc motor rated at 14.7ps and 13.6Nm of torque.
The Kymco Like 150i Noodoe (P139,900) brings smartphone integration to the table along with a TFT instrument panel and dual-channel ABS. Of course, if you crave retro style, want the real Italian deal, and are prepared to pay up, there’s none other than Vespa. On paper, the P145,000 Vespa S 125 I-GET isn’t a screaming value with its comparatively tiny 125cc motor rated at just 10hp and 10.2 Nm. You don’t even get ABS for the entry-level Vespa, but you do get the unmistakable style and cachet that is the envy of many commuters. Spend quite a bit more for the P185,000 Primavera and you get a more spirited 155cc engine with a more modern instrument panel, and ABS.
