It's not. When you really need power, it's there. In an emergency, you can switch down to a lower gear and rev up the engine very high. You'll get all the power you need, except if you're driving steeply uphill with an overloaded bike. In the cities, when you know how to use a Honda Blade, it will provide you with all the power you need, you just may have to switch gears a bit more often than with a 125 cc bike.
Hi Peter, I didn't know you were 2m tall too! I've been long-term renting a blade from your agency in Hanoi. I would say it's the ideal bike for Vietnam. 125cc bikes have different gears, so their torque and acceleration stays about the same , but the speed band per gear is a bit longer which makes for a slightly faster bike. However, this is completely useless in Vietnam, where you're much safer at lower speeds. If you're very experienced, it may indeed be safer to drive a little faster than the rest ( It's better to have some dangerous drivers behind you than in front of you), but ONLY after you've been riding a bike there on a daily basis for at least 2 years. Many rental agencies provide mainly 125 cc bikes, but the only thing they get is more users with broken bones. Blades are very economical with gas, they can be repaired anywhere ( IF they break down, but in 5 1/2 years, i actually never had one that broke down. The ones who do are usually cheap Chinese copies from extremely cheap rental agencies who will always try to make customers pay for repairs or maintenance). My advice if you're new to Vietnam is: get yourself a real Honda blade or a wave (as they used to be called). Even an older one will be ok. Just make sure you don't get a Chinese copy. If you plan to buy a second hand one, than demand a test ride, and take it straight to 1 or more local mechanics to have it checked out. In rural areas, Vietnamese mechanics tend to be good, cheap and honest, but in the cities, where you are likely to spend a lot of time, they are not always that nice. If you rent a bike from a reliable agency, you'll always have a new, safe and reliable bike, with maintenance, oil changes, new tires etc free off charge. I think it's your best option (provided you have a reliable rental agency, but tigit is). Most of all: never forget to get good insurance. Vietnamese traffic is so different from western traffic that you'll need to learn all over how to drive again. During that learning phase, you're very vulnerable. Vietnamese drivers don't stop when you expect them to. Get good insurance, and equally important, get a Vietnamese driver's licence, so insurance companies won't have an excuse to refuse assistance. Your visa agent will usually know how to get you a Vietnamese driver's licence. Good luck!
Another great video, I've learnt a lot about the bikes availables in Vietnam from your videos. I must say I seem to see a lot more Honda Waves than Blades, even taking into account the many copies around, at least here in the provinces. The placement of the luggage is a real issue though with inexperienced riders. I've pulled over riders on 3 separate occasions after seeing them wobbling about with their luggage placed far back on the racks, a recipe for disaster. As I tell them it's just a question of when they will come off because they will come off at some point.
When I am talking about Blades, I am talking about "Honda Semi-automatics" in general. Wave, Blade, Dream, Future.... they are all basically the same thing, or at least the same idea. The Wave is the most common, but Tigit deals with the Blade so I have to generalize to this particular model. There are also a fair few models of "Waves" as well, Wave Alpha, Wave RSX, Wave S etc etc. The luggage point is infuriating for us as a company. Renting bikes out for $250 usually somewhere between 2-5,000km journeys. Clients often have no common sense and take no responsibility for the obvious limitations of the rack.
Tigit motorbikes Yes I guessed that must be the case. I often look at all the different models and wonder why there are so many and what differentiates them. It's guess it's all about marketing. I spend way too much time looking at the bikes in the Vietnam :)
I was between motorcycle and a scooter.. I dont rly like scooters... but this... is like a hybrid of motorcycle and scooter.. I ordered a 125 CC one.. my first motorbike. Ill upgrade to a motorcycle later on, for now my 125cc will do. :)
Thanks John for the very helpful & informative videos. I actually subscribed this channel recently, not cause I live or will travel to Vietnam very soon (probably in 2024) but, because I love motorcycles (currently have 4) but Never owned or ridden a Cub (semi automatic) before...but always fancied 1...I live in Bangladesh & you only find rubbish Indian & Chinese bikes here...Also there is a displacement Regulation (165 cc max) (???!) Anyway, recently I found a Honda Wave 100 for sale in great condition (imported...as I have also imported 2 bikes, a Suzuki GSX-S 150 Indonesia & a Yamaha TW 200 Japan) Your Blade Review & How to Ride videos helped me big time ! Have you ridden a Wave Alpha 100 ? I'm planning to buy this on Sept 10th. All the best..Cheers !
I have ridden new Wave Alpha's and unfortunately, it is Honda building a very cheap bike and cutting corners. It does not drive like a good motorbike, infact when I first got on one, I thought it was a Chinese copy. Was very surprised it was real. I advise saving a few extra dollars and getting the 110cc versions. It is not about the engine size, it is about the frame, plastics, and suspension. Everything is cut to a minimum on the alpha.
@@Tigitmotorbikes Thank you John. Actually there is only 1 more Honda underbone available..Wave- i RS..an EFI 110..But the price 4 Times Higher than the Wave Alpha100..I might just get the basic Wave Alpha 100, just for urban commute & try to upgrade few parts.
Greetings from Kenya! I have a similar type of under-bone motorcycle from China. A "Jincheng JC-110". It has been reliable generally for two (2+) years although it has recently developed a strange habit of what sounds and feels like clicking/skipping chain especially when going uphill. Kindly advise. Much love from Kenya.
Perfectly possible your clutch is needing replacing. But using clicking noises are related to the chain and sprocket. People often think it is the engine noise, but it isn't.
Thanks for the great video. I'm living here now, not a tourist and shopping for a first scooter. Never owned one. Not surprisingly I'm enamored with the old school looks of super Cubs and 67's. Practically speaking I'm probably better off with a blade. My wife drives a 2011 Air Blade. Do you think a Blade 110 is a good first bike to own? Read you also like the Exciter? Thanks.
Super cubs / 67's are Chinese motorbikes at this point. Look cool sure, but they are not for everyday driving. Blade / Airblade are Honda. Essentially if you have a problem, pop into any honda head shop and it will magically come out fixed again. Blade you can buy $450-$550 second hand. Super cheap to maintain and they will hold this $400 value for the rest of time.
@@Tigitmotorbikes Thank you for your reply. Your videos are very helpful and instructive. You mentioned in one video a website similar to ebay where locals buy and sell. My fiancee doesn't know of it. Can you tell me what that is? (I forget which video of yours you mentioned it by name. Also, your shop sells second hand motorcycles/scooters as well?
Review of Yamaha Serius?... Ok Review : Cheap crap. Yamaha semi's are small in size and lack power. Wobble around, feel and drive like cheap garbage. Only thing going for them, is that they probably are the cheapest "super reliable" motorbike in Vietnam. A Sirius can be picked up for around $350 which is in Chinese motorbike pricing territory. This is CHEAP, for what is mostly a reliable bike. Everything else about the bike from stability to power to looks = Garbage.
Hi John, Thanks for your great videos. I'm hesitating between a 150CC Winner 2018 /Exciter 2019, or a brand new 125 CC Future 2020. Actually, I'm very familiar with the Honda Wave family. Considering that I'm 1,73m and I spend 80% of the time in downtown Hanoi, and a friend can find a 10-12% discount for a new bike in her local dealer. I don't really know what to choose... I would love to get a 150CC manual like a tre trau, but I think it compromises the reliability of a Wave/Blade/Future... Any idea? Thanks for the advice, you help so many peoples to understand the local bike market ;)
Wave / Blade comes down to which style do you prefer. Just don't get the Wave Alpha. Future, really is an expensive bike for what it is. I think if you wanting the "extra power" of future that comes to 125cc, then you may as well go to the Winner / Exciter at 150cc. Winner / Exciter, personally I would still go with Exciter over Winner for a personal bike. Blade and Wave VS Exciter, this comes down to convenience VS enjoyment.
@@Tigitmotorbikes Thanks for your answer. I agree about Wave Alpha, what a shame to reduce an iconic name to this frugal thing... Actually I like the Future for its convenient trunk more than the engine upgrade. But I guess a Future is more costly to Fix than Blade/Wave. May I know what makes you choose the Exciter more than Winner X ? Thanks for your advice ;)
@@maxvin6320 there is a video review of the Winner where he says why he prefers the exciter over Winner. I recall him saying that the Winner is just a Wave on steroids 😂 which is quite true.
