Suzuki Access 125 vs Honda Grazia – Shootout

Performance – Since they’re both 125cc scooters, there isn’t much of a difference in terms of performance. To the layman’s eyes, both of these feel quite similar doing the daily city commute. It’s only when you find an empty stretch of road that you can finally tell the difference in terms of how the power is delivered. On one hand, you have the Honda, that with its sense of urgency low down makes you initially feel that the scooter is going much faster. It has good low-end punch but doesn’t manage to keep that punch past the mid-range. Though the power comes in smooth and gently builds up momentum, the Grazia eventually finds itself losing steam by the time it reaches 80 km/hr. The Honda Grazia feels more easy going in comparison, which doesn’t seem to suit it’s modern or youthful design language.

Both feel similar but it’s only out on the highway that you can tell the difference

The Suzuki Access, on the other hand, feels a lot more punchy. The power builds strong and feels consistent almost throughout the rev range. The Access pulls strongly all throughout the time you have your throttle twisted and even in the top-end, it doesn’t feel like its running out of breath even post 90 km/hr. The engine doesn’t cut back on refinement either, with it feeling butter smooth and being barely audible, putting even the Grazia to shame in terms of NVH which in itself is quite a commendable feat, given Honda’s reputation. This engine is such a gem, I have absolutely no complaints with it.

Riding Dynamics – Right off the back, I can tell you that the Honda is heavier. That slight increase in weight does dampen its agility. The Honda Grazia also gets telescopic front suspension, which is a lot bouncier and strips the rider of confidence. Each time you hit a straight patch, it’s a lot easier to feel the undulations of the road on the Grazia. At higher speeds and through corners, the Grazia never feels surefooted and always makes you second guess your speed or approach. The Honda Grazia gets a disc brake in the front and a drum brake at the rear, it also comes with Combi Braking System or CBS. What it essentially does is, it applies both the brakes with the use of just one lever, which not only ensures safer braking but also reduces the chances of rider error. The braking does feel good and helps feel slightly more surefooted, especially moving through traffic. Needless to say, the Grazia stands very little chance against the Access when it comes to agility.

The Suzuki Access steals the show with its lightweight body and handling

Coming to the Suzuki Access, from the moment you start riding this machine, it inspires confidence. It’s almost as if it wants you to push yourself and go faster. The Access is phenomenal when it comes to handling. The suspension is really well damped and soaks up bumps effortlessly. The Access is also lighter than the Grazia which makes it a lot more manoeuvrable, even while moving at slow city speeds. The Suzuki Access too gets a disc in the front and drum brakes in the rear, they bite much better than the brakes on the Honda and inspire more confidence. The Suzuki Access under the skin feels a lot like what the Honda should have been. It just goes, however you want it to, and stops as quick as you want it to, it’s a really fun scooter to ride and I almost couldn’t get enough of it.