A blend of Italian design and Japanese technology, the high-wheel scooters Honda Sh models “Sh125i” and “Sh150i” are today’s symbols of a vehicle born over 40 years ago as a “fifty,” which has dominated—and still dominates—the European market in its segment
- Production of the “Sh50” began at Honda’s plant in Aalst, Belgium, and later in Barcelona, Spain. It was a high-wheel scooter with a simple, angular design, conceived for young riders and, more generally, for anyone seeking a practical and agile means of urban transport—almost like a bicycle, but with the responsiveness of a true motor scooter. It was an immediate success, so much so that after 12 years Honda decided to move production to Italy, to Val di Sangro in Abruzzo, introducing alongside the entry-level model a version powered by a 100 cc two-stroke engine.
With updated styling and improved comfort, the “Sh” gained greater efficiency, positioning itself as an alternative to traditional low-wheel scooters, which were less stable and safe on uneven surfaces. In 2001, 25 years ago, a further evolution came with the replacement of two-stroke engines by two four-stroke units of 125 and 150 cc. This debut was accompanied by an almost complete redesign of the vehicle, aimed at transforming it into a faster means of transport capable of handling even intercity routes, while retaining the ease of use, agility, and affordability that had been key to its success.
Thanks to this strategy, the 2001 model year “Sh” scooters, continuously updated in features and performance, remained competitive until 2012, when the sixth generation was launched. Named “Sh125i” and “Sh150i,” the new scooters featured entirely new frames and engines, further modernized styling, and technical solutions inspired by the automotive world, such as ABS braking systems and stop&start technology to reduce fuel consumption at traffic lights.
These were decidedly modern and innovative vehicles that still preserved their core strengths, which the market continued to appreciate—so much so that Honda later introduced a model equipped with a 300 cc engine, increased to 350 cc in 2021. Over the past five years, the Honda “Sh” range has consisted of three models, selling in thousands of units across Europe every year. In 2025 alone, sales reached 60,000 units, once again making the “Sh” the best-selling scooter in the Old Continent.
A record Honda chose to celebrate, along with the 25th anniversary of the “Sh125i” and “Sh150i,” by introducing a new generation of vehicles featuring advanced technologies such as color TFT dashboards, “RoadSync” connectivity, and dual full-LED headlights. The design of the front shield and fairing has also been revised, and greater use of sustainable materials has been emphasized to make the scooters not only visually appealing and dynamic, but also more environmentally friendly starting from the production phase.
Honda Sh in brief
The Honda “Sh125i” and “Sh150i” models are powered by four-stroke engines with nominal displacements of 125 and 150 cc, achieved through bore sizes of 53.5 mm and 60 mm respectively, with a shared stroke of 55.4 mm. The engines feature single overhead camshaft distribution with four valves per cylinder, liquid cooling, and electronically controlled indirect fuel injection.
Although their thermodynamics and mapping are designed to ensure high elasticity and low fuel consumption—around 46 km/l for the “Sh125i” and nearly 45 km/l for the “Sh150i”—the power output remains noteworthy: 13 hp and nearly 17 hp respectively, delivered at 8,250 and 8,500 rpm, with maximum torque figures of 12 and nearly 15 Nm at 6,500 rpm. Both engines deliver traction starting from as low as 4,000 rpm and can rev up to 10,000 rpm.
Both engines are compact, and together with radiators mounted on the right side, contribute to mass centralization. Their internal structures employ low-friction technologies, starting with cylinder liners whose outer surfaces feature microscopic grooves to reduce oil consumption and improve cooling. The cylinders are also offset relative to the crankshaft to reduce friction losses between piston and cylinder wall during the expansion phase.
The engine management system can include a stop&start function, which shuts off the engine after three seconds of idling when the vehicle is stationary and restarts it instantly when the throttle is twisted. This system is complemented by a “reverse rotation” solution of the crankshaft, which returns the piston to bottom dead center, and a decompression mechanism that reduces resistance during starting caused by compression.
Another innovation is the “ACG” generator, which also functions as a starter motor, eliminating the need for a conventional starter motor and its associated gears. The transmission is mechanical and automatic, of the CVT type, while braking is handled by 240 mm diameter discs at both front and rear. The front caliper features two pistons, while the rear has a single piston, and ABS is provided on both wheels.
The scooters share identical telescopic front forks, with a diameter of 33 mm and 89 mm of travel, as well as similar rear suspension systems, consisting of dual shock absorbers adjustable in five positions. Notable features include the under-seat storage capacity of over 18 liters—one of the largest in the segment and capable of accommodating a full-face helmet—and a smart key system that also controls the indicators to help locate the scooter when parked among many others, as well as the steering lock.
New scotter Sh350I
The success of the “Sh125” and “Sh150” in 2021 led Honda to expand the “Sh” range with a higher-performance model, the “Sh350,” now renamed the “Sh350i” and equipped with a 350cc “eSp+” series “enhanced Smart Power+” engine. The cylinder features a 77mm bore and 70.8mm stroke for a displacement of 330cc, producing over 29 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and over 31 Newton-meters of torque at 5,250 rpm. The timing system is chain-driven with a hydraulic tensioner and a single overhead camshaft and roller rocker arms that act on four valves, with the intake valves measuring 28mm in diameter. The piston is cooled by a jet of oil sprayed under the crown, the lubrication integrates a recovery pump that helps reduce pumping losses and a countershaft reduces vibrations. Compressed approximately ten points to one, the engine features indirect injection that uses a 28 mm diameter throttle body, is silenced by a two-chamber muffler and interfaces with a “V-Matic” transmission.
Title: Honda Sh model Honda “Sh125i” and “Sh150i”: scooter by seven generations
Translation with ChatGPT
