Review: The New Honda BeAT Street

The Honda BeAT is one of Honda’s most popular scooter models in the Philippines. This line continually gets upgraded with advanced features and technology with each new model. The 110 cc scooter aims to be stylish, modern, and accessible to everyone. With its low-seat height, distinct urban vibe and reliable performance, the Honda Beat will appeal mostly to the younger riding demographic as well as the business segment.

Aside from city use in Metro Manila, the Honda BeAT can also be used for leisure touring and weekend rides. It’s a good choice for small island provinces around the country. I’ve actually used Honda BeATs for motorcycle travel around smaller islands because they’re widely available as rental units in shops and hotels. On a solo trip to Siargao, I rented a BeAT straight from the airport and used it drive to the resort where I was booked, and used it to get around town from surf spots to mountain areas through the coconut tree-lined highways.

I also rented a Honda Beat from the resort we were staying to loop the island of Camiguin after hiking up Mt. Hibok-Hibok. It was an amazing feeling just enjoying the breeze and landscape at a leisurely pace. While this scooter can reach top speeds of over 100 kph if needed, it’s best to maintain cruising speeds of 40 or 50 kph when sightseeing so you don’t miss anything.

Design

The new Honda BeAT now comes in three new stripe designs: Street, Fashion Sport, and Premium design, making it more stylish than previous models.

The Street and Fashion models in the Philippines come in 9 different colors so customers can easily pick something that matches their personality.  Color options include: Matte Fiery Red (ISS), Matte Axis Gray Metallic (ISS), Sahara Blue Metallic, Fighting Red, Vibrant Orange, Black, Matte Axis Gray Metallic, Euro Gray Metallic, and Ross White.

The stripes design for the red is dynamic with elements of the Philippine flag (a sun and 3 stars in red blue and yellow) adding a patriotic touch. The blue scooter adds an element of speed, with racing inspired checkerboard flag details, while the black scooter has orange sticker decal details that add a bit of urban edginess.

But if those designs don’t appeal to you, it’s a minor detail that can easily be customized or changed with a repaint job or simple stickers/decals. Check out the retro design above of an Indonesian version of the Honda Beat Street, which has a custom bike vibe.

Features

I was issued a unit of the Honda BeAT Matte Fiery Red (ISS) variant. This model maintains the advanced features and technology as seen in previous models. Features include the Enhanced Smart Power (eSP), Combi Brake System (CBS), Informative Semi-Digital Meter Panel with Eco Indicator, tubeless tires, aggressive headlight and signal light combination cluster, sharp tail light brake and signal light cluster. It also has a side stand switch, a safety feature that automatically shuts the engine once put down, and a secured key shutter.

The BeAT Premium Fi features a combi brake system–where one brake lever activates both front and rear brakes and idling stop system–which helps save gas by turning off the engine when idle. The eco-indicator tells you if you’re riding speed and style is saving you gas.

Specifications

• Engine Type: 4-Stroke, SOHC, Air-Cooled, eSP
• Displacement: 100 cc
• Starting system: ACG Starter (Electric & Kick)
• Brake Type (Front): Hydraulic Ventilated Disc
• Brake Type (Rear): Mechanical Leading Trailing
• Tire Size (Front): 80/90 – 14 M/C 40P (Tubeless)
• Tire Size (Rear): 90/90 – 14 M/C 46P (Tubeless)
• Wheel Type: Cast
• Overall Dimensions: L x W x H: 1,856 x 666 x 1,068 (mm)
• Curb Weight: 93 Kg
• Seat Height: 740 mm
• Ground Clearance: 146 mm
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 4.0 liters
• Fuel System: PGM-Fi
• Battery Type: 12V – 3 Ah MF Type / 12V – 5 Ah MF Type

Field Test Notes

Leisure travel is still prohibited in Metro Manila because of the ongoing pandemic, so during this 2-week review period, I used the review unit mostly for quick errand rides and grocery runs, and one out-of-town ride to Art’s hometown of Binangonan in Rizal to visit the cemetery ahead of closures on All Saint’s Day, with a side trip to local restaurant in Angono.

City driving

• What I like about the Honda BeATs is that it’s very practical and easy to use. You’re good to go anywhere, making it convenient for quick trips to the market or grocery to pick up essential supplies and errands.
• You don’t have to think too much about dressing up or worrying about traffic when riding the Beat.
• This nimble scooter can weave through the tightest traffic in the city with ease and can be easily parked in tight spots.
• It’s extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver. You can easily back out from ramps with ease.
• The seat height of the Honda Beat is very low and easy to reach even for those who aren’t that tall. I’m 5″ and can reach the ground comfortably and drive this easily even if I’m just wearing slippers.
• It’s very practical. The spacious floorboard is convenient for stashing grocery bags, laundry, and other items you need to carry around. I was able to drive this in the rain while carrying a pizza box.

Longer rides

• With its 110cc displacement, the Honda Beat is ideal for city driving, but it can also be used for longer leisure rides or out-of-town rides to reach places that are hard to get to by public transportation.
• The ISS makes sure you don’t waste gas by automatically turning off during long traffic light stops.
• For a 110 cc scooter, it has fast acceleration and responsive braking. It can reach a top speed of over 100 kph if roads are clear. It feels lightweight though, so it’s best not to push it too fast. But the braking was very responsive.
• I enjoyed using this for a simple joyride to the lakeside in Binangonan after a visit to the cemetery. The area we passed had some uphills and steep downhills, but the Beat had no problem tackling the roads.
• Even if the scooter is low, the ground clearance is relatively high at 146 mm, so the bottom of the scooter does not scrape on humps.
• It’s very maneuverable, so it’s easy to bring and park in narrow spaces like congested one-way streets and a narrow the pier by the lakeside, which may be a problem for bigger and heavier motorcycles.
• Storage wise, the underseat compartment is not that large, but it’s enough to store essentials like motorcycle papers, gloves, face shields, and more.

Fuel Consumption

The Idling Stop System (ISS) variant makes the scooter fuel-efficient of up to 63 km/liter based on ECER40 Test Methods. I got the tank with 3 bars and used it around the city plus that ride from Quezon City to Angono and back within 2 weeks and didn’t even have to load any gas. The eco-indicator has been blinking now, but it stabilizes to 1 bar. Total km traveled is 114 km based on reading.

Price

The new BeAT variants and SRP are as follows:
• Premium (ISS/CBS) – SRP 70,400.00 pesos
• Fashion Sport (STD) – SRP 66,900.00 pesos
• The new Street (STD) – SRP 66,900.00 pesos

With its affordable price tag and using financing schemes, the Honda Beat is a practical choice for a family’s service vehicle for errands or for business use as motorcycle taxis and delivery service units like Grab, Angkas, Joyride and LalaMove.

Verdict

The Honda Beat is a no-nonsense, easy to use scooter that will get you where you need to go without a problem. The BeAT has a low seat height and is extremely lightweight, which makes it ideal for beginners, including female riders and those who aren’t so tall.

While this model tends to blend with the crowd, with minimal effort, you can also show your creativity by customizing it with decals and stickers so you can “Ride to your own Beat.” Overall, its a practical scooter for city driving that can be used for a business service and leisure rides.