The Honda PCX / Forza / ADV150 / SH Forums

I have owned the same Honda bike (a little H100a) for thirty six years - I bought it new in 1980. After doing a full strip down rebuild on it I am going to put my old bike into the classic circuit. I want a new bike to take its place as a general workhorse/everyday hack. I've decided on the PCX. Before I jump in I'd like to ask a few questions.

How easy is the PCX to service? By this I mean do you have to remove all the panels to get at the engine to do an oil/filter/plug change? I will most likely go for a second hand example so will be doing the spanner work myself.

Are there any other obvious issues which is particular the the PCX I should look out for when looking at second hand ones (2013 onwards)? I'll most likely buy from a dealer but still I'd appreciate any advice.

Thanks in advance.

Hi and welcome.

Maintenance will not be anywhere near as simple as on your H100a two stroke.
There are better scooters for ease of maintenance, the PCX is not designed with the home mechanic in mind.
Access to the valve adjusters and the sparkplug is a royal p.i.t.a.

To add to the above, you won't have too much of a problem changing the spark plug or changing the oil. The biggest problem is with the valves, but after adjusting them one or two times you should have no problem with them. The first two adjustments are essential though. After that, forget it. Changing the belt and rollers is easy. As far as removal of the plastics, once you have done it a few times it becomes much easier. In the end, don't let the maintenance be the only reason you don't consider a PCX. They are great little bikes. I have two of them.
By the way, what is your location? Please take a few minutes to add that to your profile so that we can be more specific in our help.

Mel46 wrote:To add to the above, you won't have too much of a problem changing the spark plug or changing the oil. The biggest problem is with the valves, but after adjusting them one or two times you should have no problem with them. The first two adjustments are essential though. After that, forget it. Changing the belt and rollers is easy. As far as removal of the plastics, once you have done it a few times it becomes much easier. In the end, don't let the maintenance be the only reason you don't consider a PCX. They are great little bikes. I have two of them.
By the way, what is your location? Please take a few minutes to add that to your profile so that we can be more specific in our help.

I'm based in the UK. I've done quite a bit of net research & the only thing I'm concerned about the PCX is the apparent amount of 'faff' in order to work on the thing. I wouldn't mind stripping the bike to do major servicing but a don't fancy the idea of having to do so to just change/clean/reset a plug & change the oil. Just for clarifications sake can both those procedures be done with panels in situ or by just removing one or two? Id be going for a second hand example (2014 plus) so would be looking for a service history which includes having the valves adjusted. If they had been done at least twice how often thereafter would this be required. (I'd only expect to cover less than 1,000 miles a year).

hondaman wrote:

Mel46 wrote:To add to the above, you won't have too much of a problem changing the spark plug or changing the oil. The biggest problem is with the valves, but after adjusting them one or two times you should have no problem with them. The first two adjustments are essential though. After that, forget it. Changing the belt and rollers is easy. As far as removal of the plastics, once you have done it a few times it becomes much easier. In the end, don't let the maintenance be the only reason you don't consider a PCX. They are great little bikes. I have two of them.
By the way, what is your location? Please take a few minutes to add that to your profile so that we can be more specific in our help.

I'm based in the UK. I've done quite a bit of net research & the only thing I'm concerned about the PCX is the apparent amount of 'faff' in order to work on the thing. I wouldn't mind stripping the bike to do major servicing but a don't fancy the idea of having to do so to just change/clean/reset a plug & change the oil. Just for clarifications sake can both those procedures be done with panels in situ or by just removing one or two? Id be going for a second hand example (2014 plus) so would be looking for a service history which includes having the valves adjusted. If they had been done at least twice how often thereafter would this be required. (I'd only expect to cover less than 1,000 miles a year).

You don't need to remove the panels to change the oil and you'll probably never need to remove the plug in the next two decades given your mileage

hondaman wrote:I have owned the same Honda bike (a little H100a) for thirty six years - I bought it new in 1980. After doing a full strip down rebuild on it I am going to put my old bike into the classic circuit. I want a new bike to take its place as a general workhorse/everyday hack. I've decided on the PCX. Before I jump in I'd like to ask a few questions.

How easy is the PCX to service? By this I mean do you have to remove all the panels to get at the engine to do an oil/filter/plug change? I will most likely go for a second hand example so will be doing the spanner work myself.

Are there any other obvious issues which is particular the the PCX I should look out for when looking at second hand ones (2013 onwards)? I'll most likely buy from a dealer but still I'd appreciate any advice.

Thanks in advance.

Changing oil and drive oil, no panels need be removed. Changing belt and rollers requires some disassembly but nothing too bad. Working on the engine--major panel removal. The spark plug, in my experience, is not easy to access but can be done with patience,agility, and a self-fabricated tool or two. It is not that the plug is behind a lot of linked panels, but where it is does not allow a straight shot to an extended socket wrench. My feeling is this: If you want a bike that is easy to service, get a Big Ruckus or some other such naked machine.