IT’S hard not to love the simplicity and ease of use of scooters but at times they do make me feel a little apprehensive, simply because of the fact that both front and rear brake levers are on the handlebar. I own one and ride it extensively, but till today, I still have not gotten used to this arrangement.
Sometimes after getting on it after riding a motorcycle, I would grab the front brakes, while my left foot steps on the brake pedal that isn’t there!
The CBS, or Combi Brake System, on Honda’s latest scooter, the 108cc BeAT, takes away a lot of my apprehension about braking on a scooter.
What the CBS does is it ensures an even distribution of braking force between the front and the rear wheels, even when only one lever is engaged by the rider. The result is a shorter braking distance and reduced chances of the rear tyre skidding.
No wonder Honda describes the BeAT (or the CBS on the BeAT) as a “breakthrough” when it launched the scooter in November last year.
The all-new Honda BeAT is powered by a 108cc, four-stroke, OHC air-cooled engine and it produces 8.6hp at 7,500 rpm.
The Honda BeAT is also the first scooter in Malaysia that has an Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) certification. According to the Automotive Policy (NAP) definition, EEV certificates are granted to motorcycles that consume less than 2.2 litres of fuel per 100km.
The scooter is also equipped with Honda’s Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) and Enhanced Smart Power (ESP). Both improve the performance and fuel efficiency of the scooter.
The BeAT is equipped with a “sporty” digital meter with ECO indicator. The ECO indicator will light up when the scooter is ridden efficiently.
The Honda BeAT weighs 94kg, which means it’s very light and handling is rather easy. Seat height is only 742mm so riders need not feel overwhelmed with this scooter, as they will be able to flat foot without any hassle.
Riding this bike is simply enjoyable. It may look like a normal scooter but once you pull that throttle, you might be surprised as the power delivered is more than adequate but I wouldn’t recommend you to ride it on the highways. It takes corners well, but high-speed straight line stability isn’t exactly its forte.
The brake system uses a single hydraulic disc on the front wheel, while the rear utilises a leading-shoe drum brake.
The scooter is equipped with a four-litre fuel tank and also gets kick and electric starter systems with a V-Belt automatic transmission.
As for the suspension, a telescopic fork is used up front, while the rear end is equipped with an integrated swing arm suspension unit with non-adjustable single shock absorber. I must say that the 14-inch wheel does absorb uneven surfaces and small potholes quite well.
The sporty and trendy appearance suits the image of youths who seek simple but stylish transport that goes with their trend and is available in four colours.
They are Vital Metallic Blue, Pearl Magellanic Black, Viva City Red and Angel Pink. It retails at RM5,565 (GST included).
Boon Siew Honda, the official distributor of Honda motorcycles and scooters in Malaysia, unveiled the BeAT scooter just months after the launch of the facelifted Honda Spacy.