At 09:30 on the morning of 20 September, I set off from Istanbul for Bursa on my Honda SH125, which had only 1650 km on the clock. I was going to a wedding, but I also wanted to see for myself how this little scooter handled a long journey, the winding climbs to Uludağ and intercity roads.
Preparation and equipment
Luggage was my biggest concern. Limited space under the seat made a top box invaluable. I mounted a phone holder I had bought from Amazon on the windscreen support and used an old phone for navigation to avoid exposing my main phone to the vibration. A simple pencil case and a power bank solved the charging problem.
The Honda SH125 did not let me down. There were moments when I wished it were a 150cc, but the adventures I had with this scooter were unforgettable.
The ride and the reality of 125cc
The SH125’s large 16-inch wheels gave me a reassuring feeling in corners. PCX owners may disagree, but I particularly enjoy the SH’s handling. I do not expect the comfort of a 300cc machine; for someone who enjoys the journey, I can even imagine taking it on a European tour. That is my impression from riding it, rather than a universal comparison of safety or performance.
The wedding plan falls apart
When I reached Bursa, I learned that the car carrying my wedding clothes would not be arriving. My plans changed immediately. I tried to make the best of an unexpected situation, thinking that I could always stay in my tent if necessary.
Uludağ and the unexpected cold
The road to Uludağ was a wonderful ride, with exactly the kind of bends I enjoy. Near the top, however, the weather changed suddenly. My hands became painfully cold in summer gloves, and the hand guards were not enough. I was left wondering why I had not brought warmer equipment.
Camping trouble and the ride home
My plan to camp ended when I discovered that the ropes and poles of my old tent were unusable. After encounters with foxes and an unsuccessful attempt to pitch the tent, I decided to head home at 22:00. By the end I had covered 511 km: tired, but with a memorable experience behind me.