Love the PCX but HATE the new plastic covered handlebars!

[ReganRides]

I have always loved the design & features of the Honda PCX. Every year Honda slightly tweaks the design for the better, but this year they messed up big time. WHY did they cover the chrome handlebars with plastic?!! One of the things that made the PCX unique were those exposed chrome handlebars. Not only were they aesthetically pleasing, they also provided plenty of places to attach cameras or smartphones. Who at Honda thought it was a good idea to cover them up with an ugly piece of plastic? Now it looks like any other maxi scooter with no place to attach cameras or smartphones! Please Honda. For fans of the PCX return to the chrome handlebars with the 2027 PCX!

[ReganRides]

Before and After

B1BA2B0D-45C2-4A18-BCA9-4CEFCD551689.jpeg (134.59 KiB) Viewed 1828 times

[airhead83]

The 2025 PCX is my first venture away from 55 years of touring and sport bikes, so I can't speak of previous Honda PCX models.
But having already removed and reinstalled the plastics covering the handlebars while running and hiding wiring for the heated grips I added...
I can say without a doubt, those plastic pieces look a heck of a lot better than the bare and ugly bends of welded metal underneath.
There's no smooth, sleek, or pretty handlebar assembly to uncover.
So, permanently removing those plastic covers to go 'retro' will require some imagination and ingenuity.

[ReganRides]

And what’s up with the color choices for the PCX in the US? I know scooter sales aren’t huge here in the States… but is Honda purposely trying to make it worse? The last couple of years the only color choice was Brown! BROWN?? And this year’s only choice of grey isn’t much better. Come on Honda. Do better. We used to get TWO choices every year. With classics like Pearl White & Candy Apple Red or Black. All great looking on the PCX. But the last few years Honda has really dropped the ball. And now the plastic cover on the handlebars? Argh.

These are my only two complaints. Aside from that, the PCX is a great scooter! I wonder if you can remove the plastic handlebar cover? Anyone try that yet?

[ReganRides]

My 2025 PCX is my first venture away from 55 years of touring and sport bikes, so I can't speak of Honda's previous models.
But having already removed and reinstalled the plastics covering the handlebars while running and hiding wiring for the heated grips I added...
Those plastic pieces look a heck of a lot better than the bare bends of welded metal underneath. There's no smooth, sleek, or pretty bars underneath.

That’s unfortunate to hear. The previous year’s models had some beautiful chrome handlebars. Oh well. Still a great scooter. Just sad Honda made this design choice. Not only for the looks, but more importantly the exposed chrome handlebars gave you many choices to attach cameras, iphones or gps.

[airhead83]

I agree on all counts and complaints. The color choices are take -it-or-leave-it. And the beautiful chrome handlebar used previously are no more.
But on a good note, the bare and ugly handlebars under the plastics on the 2025 PCX are no uglier than optional and pricy 'hang-on ape bars' that are factory-available on a $20K+ Harley Davidson. Maybe Honda's making a fashion statement here.

[ReganRides]

I agree on all counts and complaints. The color choices are take -it-or-leave-it. And the beautiful chrome handlebar used previously are no more.
But on a good note, the bare and ugly handlebars under the plastics on the 2025 PCX are no uglier than optional and pricy 'hang-on ape bars' that are factory-available on a $20K+ Harley Davidson. Maybe Honda's making a fashion statement here.

I just watched a video on youtube of a guy in Thailand removing the plastic handlebar cover...and yeah, you're right... it is gnarly. All covered in messy welds and really ugly compared to the polished chrome of previous years model. Bummer.

The funny thing is I have been lusting after a new pearl white honda pcx for nearly a decade now. But I was traveling so much and then the last few years I really hated colors offered. I am finally ready to buy, and although I prefer the white, i could live with the grey of the current model...

BUT I just can't get past those damn plastic covered handlebars! And removing it isn't an option cause what's underneath is a welded mess and I don't feel like reconstructing them by ordering parts.

So looks like my only option is to buy used. Looking for a Pearl White preferably 2022 model with low miles. Wish me luck

[airhead83]

I agree on all counts and complaints. The color choices are take -it-or-leave-it. And the beautiful chrome handlebar used previously are no more.
But on a good note, the bare and ugly handlebars under the plastics on the 2025 PCX are no uglier than optional and pricy 'hang-on ape bars' that are factory-available on a $20K+ Harley Davidson. Maybe Honda's making a fashion statement here.

BUT I just can't get past those damn plastic covered handlebars! And removing it isn't an option cause what's underneath is a welded mess and I don't feel like reconstructing them by ordering parts.

So looks like my only option is to buy used. Looking for a Pearl White preferably 2022 model with low miles. Wish me luck

My son rides a cruiser, so I normally pay little attention to him or his kind. But in this case, he may actually have a point.
While I was showing off my scoot to him and pointing out all the neat things it had that his cruiser didn't... he matter-of-factly told me 'At least my cruiser doesn't have that ugly and useless air bag on the handlebars'. I had to laugh.