So you got to ride it already, huh?
I sure did. I recently joined Suzuki Philippines on a quick ride around the city with the all-new Access and Access 125. Myself, several motovloggers, and fellow members of the media took turns riding the scooters and navigating the streets of Quezon City and Manila City.
Mind you, riding it around was quite fun.
Isn’t the small engine fuel-efficient yet underpowered, though?
The Access 125 has an advertised fuel economy of 57.3km/L, but of course, I wasn’t able to test that properly yet, as the limitations of the ride prevented me from doing so. I did notice at some point that even while we were gunning it down an open highway, my fuel-consumption meter read somewhere in the high-30s, which isn’t bad considering we were pushing the small 125cc single-cylinder engine quite hard.
Now, about that engine, I know it looks measly on paper, but it’s actually quite peppy once you get to ride it. I’m a heavy guy and weigh probably as much as two average-sized Filipinos, yet I didn’t feel like it was ‘underpowered’ at all, at least not for riding around the city. However, going uphill, say, through Marilaque’s winding roads, might prove a bit challenging. But still, for what it’s supposedly built for—which is city commutes—it’s more than enough.
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Okay, so is it comfortable to ride around the city, then?
Okay, you will still want to avoid the sizeable potholes and protruding manholes around the city to avoid damaging your bike (or your butt and your back), but for the minor road imperfections, it’s not bad. You’ll still feel vibrations on the grips, of course, but nothing a good pair of gloves can’t address (no pun intended). The seat is wide and provides good cushion, and that adds to the overall comfort as well.
It’s very beginner-friendly, too. It’s light and very easy to maneuver through heavy traffic or even fling around (responsibly) when the roads open up a bit. It doesn’t come with ABS, but since you’re not going to ride this at high speeds often, anyway, the combined braking system should be enough.
We only rode the Suzuki Access for a day, so its convenience still remains to be seen, but I have to say that I also like how Suzuki kept the fuel-tank opening at the rear. And unlike in the Avenis, this one’s cleverly hidden behind the panel just above the taillight. You’ll absolutely miss it if you don’t know. We didn’t get to refuel during our ride, but I’m sure the easy access will prove handy.
Very well, but time to address the elephant in the room: What’s with Suzuki and small rear wheels?
Honestly, what’s the deal, anyway? Having that small rear wheel helps with fuel efficiency and is easier on the budget when the time comes that you have to change your tires. Would-be buyers of the Access will be keen on affordability, and sticking with the smaller wheels will lessen overall expenses with this bike.
Now, if you think it looks hideous, does it, really? Are you really that bothered by the rear wheel that you fail to see how cute and quirky this bike is? It looks retro, and it comes in popping color options at that. It’s actually easy on the eyes.
Were you able to try out the Suzuki Ride Connect feature?
Yes, and I was genuinely surprised. I’ve tried turn-by-turn navigation features on other bikes before, and by far Suzuki’s Google Maps-powered system is one of the most accurate ones so far. It’s easy to pair your phone to your bike, and it’s easy to turn on navigation through the app. I didn’t need any extensive walkthroughs whatsoever.
I’m looking forward to when I get to borrow this for a proper full-week lendout—we’ll see how convenient the app truly is.
Is it worth the price tag?
The Suzuki access stickers for P84,900 for the base variant, while the Access 125 with Ride Connect goes for P93,900. If I’m being honest, it feels a bit too hefty for a bike this size. But then again, after I was able to try it out for a bit, it proved to be a pleasant surprise. While I can’t say definitively yet whether or not it’s worth all that money, I can confidently say that if it’s around the budget you have, it’s worth your consideration.
