Elite 125/150

HONDA ELITE 125 / 150 (CH125 / CH150)

Honda sold four significantly different versions of the Elite 125/150 scooter over it’s short four year run (’84 - ’87). In 1984, this scooter made its debut in the form of the Elite 125 (CH125) (at right). The Elite 125 is capable of 55mph and 65-70mpg. This scoot also featured a neat pop up headlight (watch it in action here). I believe this scooter was the first and only scooter to offer a pop up headlight. The mid-sized Elite also had a foot pedal for the rear brake which is rare in modern scooters. This pedal takes a bit used to but after a bit of use it’s fairly easy to use. However, braking in a panic is scary with this setup. If you find yourself having to make a panic stop on a wet road, you’ll impulsively want to lower your feet for stability but you can’t because if you also want to use your right foot to brake.

The ’84 Elite 125 also featured neat vents that flow hot air from the front mounted radiator to your feet. You can open and close these vents as needed. A halogen headlight was also standard. The dash was also a digital dash which was pretty fancy for it’s time.

For 1985, Honda bumped this scooter to 150cc and sold it in two versions. The ‘Deluxe’ version (CH150D) (shown below) featured the same popup headlight and digital dash found in the ’84 Elite 125. The regular version of the Elite 150 (CH150) (below in silver) received an arguably more stylish integrated headlight and analog instrumentation.

1986 saw Honda drop the regular Elite 150 and only offer the Deluxe version. Presumably, the Deluxe version was more popular. In 1987, Honda arrived with an all new Elite 150 (below in red) with more rounded and modern styling. This scooter doesn’t seem to have been offered to Canadians. For whatever reason, Honda dropped this new Elite 150 after one year and they didn’t offer another scooter in the 125-150cc class until 2010 with the SH150i.

If you are looking to buy an 125 - 150cc Elite, you’re probably going to find a lot more ’85-’86 scooters than ’84 or ’87. If you like the pop up headlight style, I’d recommend getting an Elite 150 deluxe over the Elite 125 because 65mph is quite a bit faster than the Elite 125’s top speed of 55mph.

It’s the difference between keeping up with traffic and creating a train of cars in a 55mph zone. I like the regular Elite 150 over the pop up headlight models because I like the styling better and because the front trunk is very handy. All versions of the Elite 125/150 have a nice sized glovebox. Another scooter you may want to consider is Yamaha’s Riva 125 which is perhaps more stylish but it’s slower and lacks liquid cooling.

All Elite 150’s have a door on the front of the scooter that swings upwards. Unlike the Elite 80, this door unfortunately does not lead to cavernous storage capacity. The door exists simply for access to the front mounted radiator and the fuses. In models without the headlight there is a small bit of extra space but this storage area is unfinished and thus not ideal for day to day use. At best, this area is handy for keeping a few tools that you might need in an emergency. All Elite 125/150 scooters do have an average sized glovebox. I don’t believe there is storage under the seat due to the location of the gas tank.

If you’re looking for parts for your Elite, one avenue to explore is the Spacy name, which the CH125/CH150 was commonly sold under in other countries. If you're looking to increase the performance of your Elite, there are some options for you. Aftermarket performance parts aren't available specifically for the Elite but some generic parts can be used and there are some modification you can make with basic skills. The most popular mods including swapping to a larger (26-28mm) flat slide carburator, opening up the exhaust and intake openings and tossing in a modified GY6 variator. It's also not that difficult to swap in the 250cc engine from the larger Elite 250. You can read more about these modifications here.

Pros:
* Super comfy seat
* Very reliable
* Liquid cooled
* 65mph top speed (150cc version)

Cons:
* Foot pedal brake takes getting used to

Links:
’84 Elite 125 Service Manual - Very useful for working on your Elite 125 and 150.
'85 - '86 Elite 150 Service Manual - Made possible by the great people at HondaSpree.net
MotorscooterGuide Forums - Visit the forum on this site to chat about your scoot.
Elite 125/150 Thread @ ScooterBBS: Good explanation of simple performance modifications for the CH125/150.
BikeBandit.com - Good for looking up OEM parts and finding out what’s still available
Owners Story - Brief owners story with pictures and quite a few specs.
Elite 150D Ad - Ad for Honda Scooters (showing the Elite 150 Deluxe) with Jim McMahon
Elite 150 Ad - Ad for Honda Scooters (showing the Elite 150) with Sandra Bernhard (Comedian)
Another Ad - Wierd ad for the ’84 Honda Scooter Lineup

If you have any info to add, email me at dandurston@hotmail.com

Colors:
1984: Candy Ruby Red, Light Copper Metallic (Elite 125)
1985: Candy Ruby Red, Pleiades Silver Metallic (CH150 only) and Nassau Blue Metallic (CH150 Deluxe only)
1986: Candy Ruby Red, Satellite Blue Metallic
1987: Pearl Gleam Red, Pearl Seashell White

Key Specs - 1984 Elite 125
* Engine: Liquid-cooled, OHC, four-stroke 124cc single
* Bore & Stroke: 56.5mm x 49.5mm
* Compression Ratio: 10.3:1
* Power: 9.6hp @ 7500 RPM, 7.0 lbs/ft torque @ 6500 RPM
* Transmission: Honda V-matic variable ratio with automatic clutch
* Ignition: Capacitor discharge
* Starter: Electric
* Final Drive: V-Belt
* Tires: 3.5 x 10 (front and rear)
* Length: 76.4” / 1940mm
* Width: 26.0” / 660mm
* Height: 42.3” / 1150mm
* Wheelbase: 47.2” / 1200mm
* Seat height: 29.9” / 760mm
* Ground Clearance: 4.5” / 115mm
* Dry weight: 102 kg (224.8 lbs)
* Fuel Capacity: 8.3 litres / 2.1 gallons
* Wheels: 10” cast aluminum
* Front Suspension: Bottom Link
* Rear Suspension: Swing unit, single shock
* Brakes: Drum / Drum
* Spark Plug: NGK DPR7EA-9
* Colors: Light Copper, Candy Ruby Red

Key Specs - 1985 - 1986 Elite 150 / 150 Deluxe
* Years: 1985, 1986
* Colors: Satellite Blue
* Engine: Water-cooled 4-stroke, OHC engine
* Compression Ratio: 10.1:1
* Bore and Stroke: 2.283 x 2.275 in.
* Cylinder Compression: 184 psi
* Engine Weight: 58 lbs.
* Overall Length: 75.8”
* Overall Width: 25.79”
* Overall Height: 45.79”
* Wheel Base: 47.2”
* Dry Weight: 236 lbs.
* Fuel Tank: 2.1 gallon (8 liter)
* Clutch Type: Automatic Centrifugal clutch, Dry Type
* Primary Reduction: 2.2-0.9
* Final Reduction: 7.318 : 1
* Spark Plug: NGK DPR7EA-9
* Maximum Load: 338 lbs

The following brochure scans are courtesy of gingerbeardman. Check out his whole collection:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emsef/sets/72157594288027610/