Honda Wave 125 Alpha: Buyer's guide

The extreme affordability of the Honda Wave 125 Alpha needs little introduction. Being quite simply the best undergone motorcycle in this range makes its appeal undeniable.

Faced with the challenge of living up to the legacy of the Honda Super Cub – the bestselling vehicle, period - the Wave seems to have done a decent enough job. The bike’s reliable nature, perky engine, compact dimensions, remarkable fuel economy, and dirt cheap price made it an instant and perennial favorite of the Pinoy population. After so many years of being on sale in the Philippine motorcycle market, the bike is ubiquitous on our roads. As are its many shameless copies.

No wonder then that this bike is always in demand. Being a Honda product, it rules the second-hand market much in the same way. Yet there are innumerable options when you want to go buy one for yourself. How do you pick out the best deal for your money? How do you separate the proverbial chaff from the nugget of brilliance that is the Wave 125 Alpha? What follows will hopefully let you do just that.

First an introduction. The Wave 125 Alpha‘s specs feature a 4 stroke single cylinder air cooled and carbureted engine that produces a peak power output of 8.84 PS and peak torque of 10.07 Nm. More importantly, the bike is capable of delivering up to 70 kmpl of fuel economy. Other features of the Wave’s spec sheet are 17-inch black alloy wheels, 4-speed transmission, disc brakes on the front, sporty chain cover to protect your trousers, and a muscular exhaust. The Honda Wave 125’s color options are black, red, orange and white, all of which are accentuated by sporty graphics and black engine components. There is even a small underseat storage space that can be used to store things like rain cover.

All of this can be yours for just Php 60900. While the Honda Wave 125 Alpha’s price is well within the reach of a lot of our populace, there is no reason why you shouldn’t have a look at the second-hand market. Hondas are known for their reliable nature and routinely outlive their owners. No surprise then that they fetch high asking prices in the second-hand markets.

So, how does one go about the task of finding one just right for the job? Here are a few handy tips.

• Get to know your purchase before you buy it. Read up as much as you can before you head out to the shop. Ask your friends and friendly neighborhood mechanics about their experiences with the Wave 125.
• Take a mechanic with you when you go to have a look at your prospective future purchase. Yes, the final decision is indeed yours but two heads are better than one.
• If possible, go for the KVB or the 4th generation model instead of the older KFL or version 3 model. This is because the KVB model comes with a few improvements in the engine. These include bigger camshaft needle bearings that perform better under stress. The cam shaft chain guide is also wheel based that removes the annoying metallic sound from the engine – a common problem of older Honda Wave 125s.
• Most Hondas will work perfectly as long as they get genuine Honda replacement parts. Keeping with Honda’s reputation, they have never been difficult to find in the first place.

• Give the bike a thorough inspection. Check the engine head for leakage due to bad seals. Check the drum brakes for the amount of adjustment that they have run through. Check how worn out the brake pads are. Check the front disc brake for scratches and damage. Give the wiring a once over by having a look at the insulation tape. Signs of fiddling could mean foul play. Wheels should be inspected for cracks and wobbling. Similarly tires and tread condition should be inspected for road worthiness. Also, find the manufacturing date on the side of the tire and check for cracks on old tires. Lastly, check that both the wheels fall in the same straight line.
• Special consideration should be given to rust. The Honda Wave often finds itself with a rusted swingarm where the chain protector connects to it. Then there are the usual spots like the underbelly, the fuel tank and all the covered places on the bike.
• Ride the bike to see how it feels. Does the engine sound harsh? Are the brakes noisy? Does the clutch feel heavy? Do the gears shift smoothly? Any of these could land you in a slightly expensive soup and a whole lot of inconvenience.
• Finally, check that the person selling you the bike is its real owner as it says in the papers. And for that they should have all the necessary papers to begin with.

The second-hand market can land you with a great purchase just as easily as it can land you with a clunker. Follow these guidelines and you should have a Honda Wave 125 Alpha that will last you a long time.