- Reviews on the Honda Lead 100 -

       Honda Lead 100

I wanted to save cash on petrol, purchase a business item for depreciating the cost and claiming mileage, and also have a little fun.

I have ridden motorcycles for over thirty years, going from 100cc up to1,000cc, and now back to 100cc. I had only once been on a scooter, a 1960s Vespa with a vague gearshift and slightly wobbly gait (or was it me?). 
 Anyway, I had sold my last 400cc bike last year, got the itch again, but thought a different approach was in order.  Health problems make long open road distances impractical, and I was determined to get good economy.  It was beginning to look like petrol was going to be a rare luxury in the future, so a scooter would make getting groceries at least possible.

I tried out a Yamaha 100cc two stroke, but went straight back to the bike shop, as I just hate two strokes.  I didn’t like them in the seventies, and I like them even less now. I then tried a Honda Lead – whole ‘nother thing.  Four stroke heartbeat, nice weight to the steering, good balance.

It took a while getting used to the high perch and low bar – a bit like a motorized bar stool.  Handling was quick and it turned RIGHT NOW, so you had to be sure you wanted to go where you were pointing it.  I took it over some speed bumps (not bad), then up some familiar steepish streets.  I was able to maintain 50 kph up some fairly impressive slopes.  This was some advantage over an underpowered 50cc.

The demo bike only had 40 kms on it, and it wouldn’t hit more than 65 kph into the wind on a slight upslope.  Fair enough, it was getting a bit breezy anyway.  I have read elsewhere that they’ll do from 80 kph to 100(!!)kph.  I would hope the steering speed wouldn’t be too much at that pace.

Brakes might also be a worry, though they were fine around town, provided you anticipate traffic well in advance, roll right off the throttle, and squeeze both levers as hard as necessary.  How hard depends on how much you value your skin. I didn’t find it a problem.

What I really liked about it is that I could ride down some favourite roads at the same (legal) speed as I used to go on my previous bikes, and get pretty much the same kicks from doing so.  Bumpy roads didn’t throw it off line, it was acceptably comfortable, and best of all, when braking hard there was a genuine BMW – style anti-dive effect.

The only thing I couldn’t really handle was that it was red.  After a long process of studying every photograph I could find on the net, I ended up buying a blue one.  I got it two days ago, and have just done 50kms.  I have a small top box, and I’ve bought a cheap HJC open face helmet, so I don’t have to risk dropping my glasses while donning the lid. The motor’s still tight and I’m taking it VERY easy during the first 500 km (this is the best way to guarantee no problems down the line).  I’ve used it for dropping off rented DVDs, shopping, posting mail, and sundry errands.  I’m saving wear and tear on my car (Peugeot 406), getting some fresh air, and having a ball.  I even wore shorts when the temperature got above 16°C.

For local riding I think it’s damn near perfect.  Cheap, simple and easy to ride, very economical and with Honda reliability and dealer back up.

4 out of 5

- Review by Martin Buck - New Zealand -