Why 125cc Scooters Are the Best

These are my personal opinions.

This article contains product links.
The content is unbiased.

125cc is enough for a motorcycle.

After riding motorcycles for over 20 years, I've realized that the ideal form of a motorcycle is a scooter.

And 125cc is plenty.

Motorcycles are vehicles of image.

The vague image of a motorcycle.

It's all a lie.That's it.

I took a long detour before realizing this.

Motorcycles are extremely dangerous. There is almost nothing to protect your whole body. Other than a helmet, there is very little that protects you.

Gloves, jackets, protectors, and so on—don't those exist? You might say, but especially for commuters like scooters, not many people are fully geared up, right?

A few years ago, when I asked the manager of a motorcycle apparel shop famous for leather goods which protector he recommended, he said something scary: 'Well, even if you survive an accident halfway, you know...' That manager has experienced many accidents, so it's a story about how motorcycles are truly scary.

By the way, for those who want to ride a motorcycle: Motorcycle lovers won't stop riding no matter how much you try to stop them. So I don't stop them. I'm on that side too. But if there's someone who is hesitant and can't make up their mind, it's better not to ride a motorcycle. If you really must, a car is better. Because you're protected by a body and airbags. Even a Prius has airbags for the people it hits. If you have the money and a parking space, a Roadster is the best.

Do you become the wind when riding a motorcycle?
Do you become one with the wind?
That's a headwind.
It's surprisingly tough to keep taking the wind.
It's incredibly tiring. I want a windshield regardless of how it looks.

Does it look cool being blown by the wind?
It's hot. Or rather, it's seriously scorching.
Riding under the blazing sun means your whole body is bathed in ultraviolet rays.
Furthermore, with large motorcycles, the heat from the engine located below your waist is carried by the wind and attacks you. When waiting at a traffic light, it's so hot you could seriously get burned by the engine heat.

Motorcycles are cool.
Supersport models look like the crystallization of cutting-edge technology. Cafe racer styles are great too; they have a vintage feel, as if you're in 1960s Britain. Cruiser types are also nice; they make you want to ride endlessly down a straight highway.

But, at the end of the day, it's still a motorcycle. There's no air conditioning and no shade.

So, once you're on one, it's hot and sweltering in the summer. Conversely, it's cold in the winter. You freeze. You get soaked on rainy days, and if you go to higher altitudes and get caught in the snow, you'll feel like you're barely clinging to life.

In Japan, aren't there only about two weeks a year when it's super comfortable to ride a motorcycle? Even on those perfect touring days, you still have to adjust your temperature by adding or removing gear depending on the time of day or location.

The riding position is cramped, too. Just sitting there makes my knees ache, and I feel like I'm going to get economy class syndrome.

You can't carry much luggage either. Even if you add a rear carrier, you can only fit about 50 liters at most.

Yes, that's why motorcycles aren't really meant to be enjoyed by riding them.

A motorcycle is a concept. A symbol of freedom.

That feeling of freedom. That coolness.

Motorcycles are meant to be enjoyed for their atmosphere and concept.

No, no, there is the joy of handling one.
This is super fun even on a moped.

Scooters are in a league of their own.

Motorcycling is tough.

Or so I thought, but I was wrong.

I have finally encountered a vehicle that covers all the shortcomings of motorcycles I've experienced until now.

That is the 125cc scooter.

This is truly amazing.

First of all, since they come with bodywork, the lower body in particular isn't affected much by the wind. The natural design blends in well even if you add a windscreen. It makes it even more comfortable by blocking more wind. In light rain, you can stay almost completely dry.

The storage capacity is also incredible. You have a 50L rear carrier plus space at your feet. If you're riding solo, you can even put things on the tandem seat. With a scooter, you can carry toilet paper, a whole pizza, muffins, and bananas all at once when you go to Costco. It's the perfect bike for Costco runs!

The riding position is also divine. You can stretch out your legs, which used to feel so cramped, in the wide foot space. You can even stretch your legs out and ride in a relaxed, albeit slightly improper, posture. You don't have to worry about economy class syndrome. This might be the best thing about a scooter.

They are light. Nimble. If you want to cross to the other side, you can just turn off the engine and easily push it across the crosswalk.

The 125cc scooter engine is modest. Plus, the engine is located slightly behind your seat. You feel zero hot air even in midsummer. The engine heat is non-existent, which is almost a shame in the middle of winter.

It's just so comfortable. Too comfortable. What is this? It's a vehicle that's so comfortable it spoils you. It's the best. Until I was in my 20s, I used to think like Kaneda from Akira—'How could anyone ride such a plastic-looking vehicle?!'

That's not the case.
Resin parts are the fruit of efforts to reduce weight and cut costs.

A 125cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine doesn't have much speed. That's why it's not great for busy national highways. Honestly, I do want a bit more displacement and power.

My ideal scooter is the Honda Freeway that you used to see a lot in the 90s.

It was compact, had enough power, and could handle highways properly.

I'm fine with a modest 125cc.

But now, I think I'm fine with it staying at 125cc.
Personally, I think the best way to enjoy a bike is to ride leisurely along country roads at 40 km/h.

My very first experience riding a bike was on New Year's Eve when I was 15, when a friend let me ride on the back of their scooter, and I experienced that sense of freedom and speed.

So, it might have been natural for me to return to scooters.

Bikes I've owned in the past:

My first bike, the Honda Gold Monkey
Honda CRM250RR
Thai Kawasaki KRR150ZX
Yamaha SR400 Custom
BMW F650GS Dakar
DUCATI Hypermotard 1100S
and so on.

The final bike will be a Cub.

When I was in my 20s, I rode my bike all around Tohoku and Hokkaido and met many different riders.

From that experience, I thought that if I were to choose the very last bike of my life in the future, it would probably be a Super Cub.

For example, if I lived in Shikoku, I feel like I could have a lot of fun with just one Cub. I want to putt-putt along the ups and downs around the Shimanto River on a Cub.

However, in my current living area, riding a 50cc bike at 30 km/h on a main road is quite terrifying. I want at least the power of a 125cc class and the ability to reach 60 km/h.

That is why I am riding a 125cc bike now.
Even though I usually only use it for trips around the neighborhood.

With a windshield, cold-weather hand guards, and a rear carrier attached, it looks like a quintessential 'old man's bike,' and I am out there putt-putting along this winter, too, complaining about how cold it is.

Lately, I have also become fond of mini-velos.

At home, I spend my time on the exercise bike watching Amazon Prime.
Burn, baby, burn, body fat, burn.

A quick tip for washing your bike.
Glass-based coatings are great.

Bonus 1

Items I'm glad I added to my 125cc scooter.

First, the rear box.
I mentioned it above, but it's incredibly sturdy.
The lock is a bit quirky. Overall, it's great value for money and I recommend it.

Bike seats often get slashed by vandals, don't they?
I Googled why that happens, and apparently, it's just for kicks.
They say that slicing through it with a box cutter or something gives a sense of satisfaction, like splitting a watermelon.
As a rider, it's unbearable to have your seat slashed like that.

So, I've equipped the following two items.
The mesh guard, in particular, keeps things cool and prevents sweating in the summer.
If you have this mesh installed, it can't be slashed easily.
It's been working as a deterrent against vandalism so far.

Looks? I don't care.
Once you install a windshield, you'll never want to go back.
With this, you can be invincible even in light winter rain.
In winter, I can ride with an open-face helmet, no goggles, and no mask.

Unfortunately, it wasn't a direct bolt-on installation.
I had to pick up some brackets and screws from a hardware store to attach it.
The included hardware tends to rust, so it's a good idea to replace them with stainless steel ones.

Helmet. I've been using the DAMMTRAX AKIRA helmet for years. It's classical yet new. I love it.

These are also essential for winter.
They protect both hands from the piercing cold that goes right through gloves.

With a scooter, you can easily fit a puncture repair kit under the seat just in case.
I keep one on hand as a safety charm.

Make sure to inflate your tires regularly.
It helps prevent punctures and improves fuel efficiency.
Get into the habit of checking them at the gas station whenever you refuel.
If the valve is hard to reach, carry an extension like the one below.

Is your motorcycle cover flapping around in strong winds? Use this to secure it around the tank and the handlebars. It prevents the flapping, keeps the cover from blowing away, and most importantly, protects the bike's body from minor scratches caused by the flapping.

Charge your battery frequently as well.
I actually have a charger that can be powered by a mobile battery, but it's been discontinued on Amazon.
Especially when you won't be riding for a while.
And make sure to charge it during the winter.

Bonus 2
A collection of my favorite motorcycle-related works.

Kaneda's bike is definitely something to aspire to.
Apparently, the official name for Kaneda's bike is actually just "Kaneda's Bike."

Will the bike of my dreams become a reality in my lifetime?

Yanda rode a Cub on the day of the camping trip.
He might seem like a carefree person, but he's the type who takes good care of his things.
Reading Yotsuba&! makes you want to go out and ride something.

A used Cub just looks right.
The "toto-toto-toto" sound of a Cub used to have a pastoral image associated with delivery workers, but now that all bikes and cars have become quieter, the sound of the Cub's single-cylinder engine even feels brave and fierce.

A motorcycle travelogue of a young Che Guevara.
Motorcycle trips are best suited for recklessness with no plans and no money.
In the midst of a journey fueled by youth, you might even encounter events that shape your future.
Nowadays, you don't really need to ride a motorcycle, but there's something you can only experience on one.

Motorcycles, travel, a son, Zen, and philosophy.
It all starts with the motorcycle, and everything is connected.
The oil- and sweat-stained leather gloves at the beginning have a strangely great character to them.