After renting a little beat up mo-ped for a week, it was time to start looking for a motorbike of our own. We had been on the prowl for a few days and had narrowed it down to two bikes – a Honda PCX (150cc scooter) and a Honda CBR (250cc motorcycle). Although we had several people recommend the PCX, we ended up surprising ourselves with the purchase of a 2013 Honda Forza (300cc maxi-scooter). We’ve had it for a week and are really happy with our decision to go with it.
We initially overlooked the Forza because it looked like such a monster parked next to the other bikes in the show room. But after doing some research, we realized that the Forza would make us both happy because it was a combination of what we liked between the 150cc PCX and the 250cc CBR. While I had wanted something that was passenger-comfortable and had a decent amount of storage room (under the seat or external storage rack), Chris wanted something that was more substantial in size and that had more get-up.
Forza Pros
- Smooth Ride: Between the power, the larger wheels, and the ultra wide seat, it is comfortable enough for longer rides.
- Extreme Storage Space: Includes enough room under the seat for two full faced helmets, has two small front compartments (one even has a plug-in spot for a phone charger), and can also be equipped with an external storage rack.
- 11.5 L (3 gal) Tank : This should take us about 350 km (220 miles) per tank.
Forza Cons
- Big: It’s heavier and significantly longer than the average scooter, making handling and parking a bit more challenging.
- Wide Turning Radius: Similar to a motorcycle’s, it’s not possible whip around a u-turn like a smaller scooter.
- Expensive: This bad boy cost $5800 USD, but still less than the supposed $7k price tag when released in Canada in 2014.
Before we purchased the bike, we had to provide a residence certificate, which we obtained from the Chaing Mai Immigration Office.
The bike came with a free helmet and backpack, three year warranty, as well as personal injury insurance. We also purchased additional insurance on the bike itself, a second helmet, and a wheel lock. We bought everything through credit and paid a 3% service fee, but we were able to take advantage of our credit card’s rewards program. Although the Forza was a bit outside of our budget, we have absolutely no regrets!
Oh, and we get a kick out of this ridiculous Honda Forza Commercial. Â Too many cheesy one liners to choose from!
Evidently, now that we own one, our Forza will allow us to do all things that are amazing in this world. Â Right…
For those of you in Chiang Mai, honk if you see us driving by on this big white monster!
Hello, I just came across this old post. I hope you are well in this troubled time. I have ridden Motorcycles most of my life. I just in Aug. Purcashed a used 2013 Forza Si. I am from the States but live in Japan. It took me 6 mos to pass the Japan Motorcycle test. Now I can finally ride my Forza. I have taken a couple of short rides it feels good. I am looking forward to a short tour in a couple of days. As I turned 70 and live in Japan this seems to be the perfect… Read more »
I know the Honda Forza is a great scooter buy I decided to buy a white 2015 SYM CityCom 300i. I have friends that ride them and they swear by them. Good chance this will be my last two wheel ride. It weights 406 dry and gets between 65 and 75 MPG, over 80 MPG if you take off slow. I’ll get it after winter passes here in Michigan and it warms up a bit. I can’t wait to get it. My wife loves riding with me and she is excited about it to. Ride safe my friends and ride… Read more »
We took a look at the specs and the SYM CityCom looks like a great alternative. It sells in Thailand, so we’ll keep our eye our for it in Chiang Mai. We hope you and your wife have a blast on your new ride when the snow melts. Cheers!
I love my PCX 150 but at every oil change at the dealer, I am lusting after the Forza. That’s next.
Everything about the Forza is amazing. Do it.
Warning to everyone buying a Forza 300. I bought mine this year in July and now the rear brakes are shot with less than 5,000 kms. There is a recall for these models too for the whole rear and now a recall for the fuel pump. If your registration starts with MLH it was made in Thailand and all the problems with this bike so far that I’ve read are from MLH. WARNING…..
Thanks Joe. Yes, we were informed of the rear wheel recall, duly took it into the shop, had the everything replaced in just a few hours for free. No harm done! We’ll check out the fuel pump issue though. Thanks for the heads up.
Chris, I see that you guys updated the commercial to the Thai version from the international version. Yes, the Thai version is more cheesy than a fondue.
You will find with any Honda bike
and especially the PCX & Forza there is no difference at most dealers. Its the way Honda does it. But it is the best touring/cruising bike in Thailand. As someone who is in the middle of a 10000km journey around Thailand on a Forza I can speak with experience.
An amazing bike.
Hey Chris! I am a fellow Chiang Mai resident as well, and have been following your blog for a while (I actually have been going to Baan Homemade Bakery quite a bit after your recommendation ;-) I have been renting a PCX 150 for a few months, but have decided that the Forza is the way to go. Also am tired of renting and throwing my money away. Had a couple questions for you… Was the $5800 price out the door after everything? Were there any other hidden costs or expenses? And I take it you shopped around a bit… Read more »
Hey Jason! Unfortunately I am not familiar with how financing works here. The price I paid was all said and done. We did pay 3000 THB for a year of insurance. As far as getting the best price, all the shops were selling the Forza for about the same price since it had just come out. The last I heard there was a short supply of them in the area. Let me know what you end up doing. Good luck with your purchase!
Hey Chris! Thanks for the reply here. I talked to one shop today, Nat Motors on Huay Keaw Rd. Here’s what they told me: 2014 Forza, 160,000 baht cash price. If you want to finance, you can do two options: 30,000 baht down, then 13,435 baht/month for one year. OR: same down payment and 8020 baht for 2 years. Not sure what interest rate that is (my girlfriend just talked to them on the phone, they close early at 5pm!), but I’m going to check around at some more dealers and compare. I will let you know what I end… Read more »
Hi guys
Not sure if you received my message, out on the Forza in Nong Khai at the moment. Heading to Chiang Mai next week..
James
New blog.
http://www.jamesadamtravelsthailand.com
I love your blog, thanks for sharing your story! Fuel economy question for you … They advertise the Forza fuel economy at 68 MPG. Smaller 50cc or 150cc scooters I have owned in the past (5+ years ago) have never delivered well on advertised fuel economy. I averaged about 30% less MPG than advertised, although I drove them flat out trying to keep up with traffic in the US. What fuel economy have you experienced with the Forza while in Thailand?
Hi! Thanks for the kind words. On the Highway I generally get about 65mpg while in the city I usually get around 55mpg. We have been pretty happy with the results after a year on the road :)
Strange, I looked around in Phuket for a while, there is nothing below 270k, how to get it for less than 200k? Or is this again the usual price fixing scam? Maybe it will go even below that since Yamaha brings a similar now.
That is way too expensive. I boughy mine almost a year ago so they should really be cheaper now.
I bought my Forza in Phuket, every dealer was the same 165k Baht.
Hi Guys
Great post, i have just purchased a Forza to go touring on.
Just finished a 5000km trip on my PCX which was fantastic. Phuket to Chiang Rai, Pai, Mae Sot to Bangkok and back to Phuket.
Regards
James
Sounds like a fantastic ride! Good choice on your new purchase. We hope you have a blast, James!
Thanks guys, loved Chiang Mai so looks like we will be moving there this year to look at business.
Great stuff. Let us know when you make it into town!
I am thinking about buying the Forza 300. I’ve owned a few motorcycles. I now have three. All are for sale. Soon I will be 70 years young. haha My wife loves to ride with me. Life is good. I left America 8 years when I met my wife in the Philippines. Best move I ever made. In America we just get buy with our money. Here I can live almost like a king and my wife does not work. I wish you the very best. I hope some time our paths cross. We would love to meet both of… Read more »
Hello Bud, thanks for the very kind words! Very happy to hear that you are enjoying your life abroad as well. We love SE Asia and all that is has to offer. As far as the Forza 300, we are still happy with our choice. It is smooth and easy on the back. Angela is comfortable as well, and has even learned to ride side saddle when I take her to and from work (as a teacher she wears full length skirts). Would love to cross paths with a fellow like-minded American expat. Ride safe :) We have a facebook… Read more »
Have you seen the new Elio Motors car/motorcycle? Three wheels. 84 MPG Hwy, 49 MPG city. 90 % American parts. American made. Cost $6,800.00. Comes with air con, heater, ect. They say it will be out this coming summer, 2014. Wish I could buy one right now.
Whoa! That sounds pretty interesting. I love being able to zip through traffic in the city though. Are they going to sell in Thailand?
thats a beast!!! 300cc??? wow. must be a nice bike. hope you are enjoying it.
i think it was a great investment. nice thing about bikes out here is that they retain their value very well too.
We couldn’t ask for a better bike. The Forza has proved to be extremely comfortable and is perfect for long travel. We hear value retention is pretty good in Thailand, too. In some cases, a little too good – hopefully we can sell it at a good price when the time comes and not just passed up for a newer, slightly more expensive version!
Thanks, Chris, that’s very helpful. I don’t mind getting only a partial wind protection, but I wouldn’t want my head to “bask” in air turbulences from the screen. Where do you get the wind blast – your chest, head? How is the suspension? Michael
It isn’t bad at all. I have had it up to 130km an hour on the highway and the ride is fine. I would say the wind is displaced evenly across your chest, and doesn’t knock you around. The suspension is a dream compared to the smaller 150 cc bikes. We honestly feel like we are floating on air every time we go from a smaller bike to our Forza (my wife especially noticed being on the back). We couldn’t be much happier with our comfort levels.
Hi. This is certainly a beautiful bike. My only gripe with it is the low seat.
You, Chris, seem to be a tall guy, how do you find the seat comfort (I’m 6’2)? Are your knees way above your hips? How long can you sit on it in comfort? How’s the wind screen coverage? Thanks for the answers. Michael
Michael, I am 6’2 as well and it is very comfortable for me. I have plenty of room to stretch out my legs and the seat a good size for me as well. The windscreen coverage isn’t really there, but I have seen others with aftermarket screens that look to provide much more coverage. No regrets so far. Oh, and we did a 3 hour ride a few weeks ago and I my comfort level was fine throughout the trip.
That is one BEAUTIFUL bike! Great balance of features. And I can’t stop laughing after watching that commercial, fantastic! :D
Thanks! We love our bike. Thinking about taking some long road trips in the near future to really test it out. Everything has been awesome so far though. Oh, and the commercial…would you expect any less in Thailand? :-P
Hi Guys, I’m from Malaysia and own a PCX 150 that i bought early this year. Have put 8000KM on it and I’m fully satisfied with it. With bad traffic at KL, riding a bike is a right solution for me and my girlfriend to go to work every morning. Forza is not in the market yet in KL, still waiting for Honda to launch it here. This beast is definitely my next bike after i finish my credit loan for the PCX. I’m planning to ride from KL to Patong with my girlfriend once i own it and can’t… Read more »
How much are motorcycles in Thailand? Like a 650? Toyota Corolla? Just wondering if it’s crazy expensive there.
Hey Tom, motorcycles are around the same price as bikes in western countries, but cars are definitely priced higher here in Thailand. I would say a motorcycle would be the ideal choice.
I went looking for one of these around the Honda dealers in Chiang Mai and none of them have any in stock now, various stories from the salesmen as to why, some say Honda diverted production to the new Scoopy, but worryingly one Honda dealer said there are some problems to resolve before they are allowed to sell any more. Have you had any problems with yours? I’ve heard nothing but good reviews so far.
I have had nothing but good experiences so far. Have put about 2,500 km on it so far. I actually just took it up Doi Suthep this morning, and it did great as always. I had no idea they stopped selling them. Did they say what the issue was?
Love the bike! What dealership in Chiang Mai did you buy this beast? I live near Chiang Rai and did not even know this model existed. In fact, it is even rare to see a PCX over here. Am now seriously reconsidering my idea of getting a PCX after seeing this!
Thanks, Robert. The name of the dealership is something that I am not sure of, but here is a map to it’s exact location. It is on Mahidol Rd right before the Toyota dealership on the right (on your way to central plaza). They were very helpful, and had all the different colors in stock. Hope this helps! We have no regrets :)
View Honda Dealership in a larger map
How Did I miss this post. How I love this beast!
I have no idea! Angela did a pretty good job, huh? She was really getting into shopping around for bikes with me.