Honda Wave 125 Alpha - All you need to know

The word cheap has come to develop a distinctly dirty connotation associated with it. Think of a Honda product and you will understand what we are talking about. Perhaps we need to look at it in relation to others to make the point completely clear.

One of Honda’s most famous workhorses in the Philippines is the Wave 125. At Php 60900, it is the cheapest 125cc in Honda’s stable. It is even cheaper than the XRM 125. But you wouldn’t have thought so during your first encounter with it. It is powered by a 4 stroke single cylinder producing 8.84 PS at 7000 rpm and 10.07 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. The bike itself weighs a lightweight 100 kg. The engine should be sufficient for anything that their potential rider might have in mind.

17-inch wheels are shod on some surprisingly classy cast alloy radials. No steel rims here. There are even twin-piston Nissin disc brakes on the front ensuring stopping on a dime when needed. The suspension setup is really meant for accommodating two riders. For a solo rider, it would feel it a bit firm. This is compensated by the seat which is comfortable even on long rides. It is wide and large enough to allow shifting forwards and backward to adjust the seating position. This allows even taller riders to adjust and find the most comfortable position for themselves. It’s a Honda engine so obviously, vibrations are hard to notice. The bar end weights also help in this. Gears shift easily thanks to the auto clutch and the 4-speed constant mesh transmission.

If you have paid attention to the passage above you will notice that the Wave 125 Alpha covers all the essentials quite thoroughly. It is safe to ride, easy to operate and comfortable to boot. But there are many options in the market that come close to the Honda In all these respects. The underbone market is truly saturated in the Philippines. So, what else does the Honda have to offer? Let’s have a look at the design and the aesthetics.

The front end is distinctly Honda with its large front fairing flanked by oval turn signals. The large front end is also wide to give better protection from the elements. The large multi-reflector headlamp is noticeable from afar and is very useful in the dark. Together it gives it an appearance which is closer to a scooter than any underbone. The tail light is similarly large and striking. There is a large muffler with a heat shield that covers it almost entirely. Underbones are not known for having enormous under seat storage space and it’s the same situation here. It will still fit a rain cover, tools, and other knick-knacks. The display is a tastefully done combination of analog and digital. Ground clearance is sufficient without being ungainly.

If this still does not seem impressive then you must consider the fact this is a Honda. Hondas are meant to last long. They will fight through the worst conditions you can throw at them. They may go wrong every once in a while but nothing will come close to this kind of build quality at this price. It will be also cheaper to repair and run.

In the end, it will also get you a better resale price. That is if you decide to sell it in the first place. Hondas in the Philippines turn into heirlooms. They are passed down to the next generation. And seeing how the Wave has been in the Philippines for close to 15 years now, it should be easy to find 10-year-old examples still running and owned by the original owner. For the budget conscious people of the country, the Wave 125 Alpha is truly the embodiment of value for money.