Shootout: Suzuki Access 125 vs Honda Grazia
Shootout No. 169
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 72,419/- (Suzuki Access 125), Rs. 74,142/- (Honda Grazia)
The 125cc scooter segment is all of a sudden seeing a lot of popularity in India
The scooter segment accounts for most of the sales most brands make, especially given the fact that we live in the second most populated country in the world, and business is booming! We Indians love scooters because they’re so easy to use and extremely practical. From a 16-year-old, all the way to a senior citizen, almost everyone rides a scooter and there is no age, gender or status restriction when it comes to buying and owning a scooter. These vehicles are so closely related that it all boils down to the little things and details that would truly matter to each individual buyer and their needs. Both these scooters are so alike, yet the little details set them quite visibly apart. Which one beats the other in this race to perfection? Let’s find out.
Motor Quest: The Suzuki Access was launched in 2007 and has been through subtle cosmetic changes and different color updates over the years. The Honda Grazia is a new scooter that came out just last year and v, uses the same engine as the Honda Activa 125
In terms of design, it’s the new kid on the block vs old school
Styling – In terms of styling, both these scooters are two different flavors that are directed towards two different kinds of audiences. The Suzuki Access feels more laid back and old school in terms of design with its retro look, choice of colour and all that extra chrome. Our test vehicle was the special edition and has a beautiful matte black finish. To help go with all that darkness, the scooter comes with a contrasting crimson coloured seat that looks rather premium. The rest of the scooter has slight hints of chrome in it, especially the mirrors that are completely covered in chrome and are circular in shape. Unlike the Honda Grazia, the Suzuki Access has a handle mounted headlamp and two extra parking lights and indicators located at the front.
The Honda Grazia looks a lot more modern and youthful than the Access
The design of the Suzuki Access is much calmer and more laid-back. It doesn’t scream for attention but manages to catch it nonetheless. The design leans more towards the curvy side, unlike the Grazia with its sharp edges and angled body panels. The overall design of the Suzuki Access 125 looks a lot more simplified than the Grazia, and thus, seeming a lot more appealing to a variety of audiences. Coming to the rear, the Access has a single piece grab rail, and gets the Access badging on both sides. The exhaust is much slimmer compared to the Grazia and gets a chrome shield. The Access also gets five-spoke wheels that look quite cool.
One goes for sharp and angular design, the other goes for a curvy and sutble look
The Honda Grazia is clearly a much more youthful looking scooter compared to the Suzuki Access. The Grazia gets much sharper looking body panels and manages to maintain great road presence with its modern design. Honda has decided not to add a single bit of chrome on this machine, instead, they chose to add a lot of black panels and faux carbon fibre to this scooter. The handlebar too has body coloured panels along with an aluminium finish around the speedo which adds to its modern appeal. Unlike the Suzuki Access, the Honda Grazia doesn’t get a contrasting coloured seat but instead gets a perforated leather seat and dual pillion grab rails. It also gets Honda stickering on each side under the footboard and gets Grazia badging on both sides.
Also, unlike the Suzuki’s curvy tail section, the Grazia has a much sharper looking tail which makes the scooter look more angled on each end. The Honda gets five-spoke wheels too, but in my opinion, I like the ones on the Access much more. Unlike the Suzuki Access 125, the Grazia has a body mounted headlamp which is full LED and grants it a rather handsome looking front end even though it resembles the Honda Dio quite a lot. I personally prefer the design found on both these scooters, but keeping personal preference aside, they’re both quite stylish in their own way and you wouldn’t be let down either way you go.
The Suzuki Access has a simple blend of retro with a hint of modern in its cluster
Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – Both these scooters have completely different approaches when it comes to the speedometer. On one hand, we have the Access with its rather simplistic design. The plain white instrument cluster houses a speedometer which is analogue while the fuel meter and the two trip meters are digital. The Grazia, on the other hand, has a complete digital speedometer, fuel meter, one trip meter, RPM and has a new feature called the 3 Step ECO mode indicator. It essentially is three bars of light that change based on the way you’re riding and tell you how much efficiency are you getting out of the engine.
The Honda Grazia goes in tech blazing with a full digital console
Three bars meaning best possible mileage and no bars meaning worst possible mileage. It’s not dim and is clear to look at even in broad daylight. The switchgear quality found on both these scooters are decent but I can’t help but mention how annoying I find the parking brake on the Grazia, the Access in comparison has such an easy to use and comfortable switch. While the Suzuki Access gets a key operated switch to access the under seat storage, the Grazia gets a button, but I somehow prefer the key.
In terms of comfort, both these scooters can hold their own and are quite comfortable
Ergonomics – Here is where both of these are quite similar. When it comes to comfort, both scooters are on par and you cannot go wrong with whichever one of these you choose. However, there are small factors here and there that might sway you from one to the other. The Suzuki Access has double hooks on the footboard, unlike the Grazia which only gets one. While Honda does give you a special closable compartment for your phone, Suzuki has one that’s big enough to fit a small bottle but sadly isn’t closeable for obvious reasons. The compartment found on the Access is much deeper and can hold more items. Both these scooters come with optional USB charging ports. When it comes to under seat storage, both these scooters offer decent space however, the Access has a deeper boot which allows it to even fit a full-size helmet.
Both these 125cc machines feel neck to neck in terms of performance, it’s only open roads that reveal the truth
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.
The Suzuki Access and Honda Grazia are poles apart in how the engine delivers its power
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.
The Honda being the heavier one here does suffer a liitle in the agility department
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.
Both these machines feel extremly agile in traffic but the Suzuki steals the show
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.
Both of these scooters will be worth your money, one’s just more value than the other
Verdict – Both these 125cc scooters are quite practical and will do almost everything you ask of them to. You can’t go wrong with either of these scooters but it’s the Suzuki Access that manages to do everything just slightly better and make your whole experience feel a lot more effortless. With its retro charm, smooth handling and punchy engine, it steals our hearts and attention. The Suzuki Access 125 is the one to buy and let’s not forget, it does all of this while still being a lot more affordable.
The Honda Grazia does have a really gorgous front-end thanks to those LEDs
Testers’ Note:
Further Reading –
Suzuki Access 125 Review
Honda Grazia Review
Honda Grazia Video Review
Honda Grazia vs Suzuki Access