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IMG 20250211 WA0008Words: Bill Hunter.

If you’ve read our previous report you’ll have noticed we’re compiling a long-tern review on this attractive and entertaining scooter. It’s now covered 421km since new and the running-in process has been slightly ignored, my fault. The ‘book’ says – “For the first 800km you must not exceed half-throttle”. Err, ok.

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Anyway let’s ignore that, because this review is going to focus on fuel consumption from the frugal 125cc, fuel-injected engine. In the beginning I saw around 43km/litre +/- and as the kilometers rolled on it magically started to improve. So much so that I went off in a quest to see if I could achieve a remarkable 50km per litre. Well slap me with a wet haddock I did it, hurrah! The proof is in the picture for all to see, however I did have to ‘nurse’ the scoot’ a little to pull off this feat. Riding along with the green light showing in ‘ECO’ mode for a while was more tedious than an Elon Musk speech, to say the least, but rewarding all the same. Oh yes, you can cover around 100km for only R50 on an Avenis, superb figures or what? Realistically it’s more in the high 40s, but we’ll keep checking. Maybe it’ll get even better?

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Then to add a bit of spice I decided to colour in the MRF letters on the tyre with a white tyre pen to add a MotoGP touch. Comically the tyre has one of the best names I’ve come across in my many years of journalism, the NyloGrip Zapper, a bit slippy in the rain though, but they are still relatively new and fine in the dry. You’ll also notice the application of rim-tape (nothing to do with hemorrhoid relief), also framing the LED headlight, to give the Avenis a slight GSX-R1000 appeal, maybe, oh, and some Yoshimura stickers to make it go even faster.

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Either way it looks magnificent, don’t ya think? Well I do and that’s all that matters. Tune in next time to see what we get up to on the Avenis 125; I’m thinking carrying capacity tomfoolery.

Go to www.suzukimotorcycle.co.za for dealer locations – then go and buy one, today!

Thank you to www.trickbitz.co.za for their sticky ‘day-glo yellow’ rim tape (no giggling please).


IMG 2383During the weekend of 25th-26th January we saw the second edition of the AMID motorcycle show, held at Redstar.

Last year saw a few of the brands in SA not present, this year however there were more ‘big names’ in attendance, which was great to see. Still, we were a little disappointed to see a few ‘big names’ not showing off their bikes – Ducati was one and seeing as they’re going into new ownership for 2025 it was slightly annoying, right?IMG 2362

BMW Motorrad SA did not represent BMW either; instead BMW Sandton made the effort, again a disappointing effort from the official main importers.

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Still, Suzuki, Honda, KTM, Gas Gas, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, Yamaha, CFMOTO, to name a few were proudly showing off their range of bikes. Not to mention a wealth of accessory importers and distributors were in attendance, like HJC helmets to name one.IMG 2357

There weren’t too many new models on display, but Honda stole the show with their new 2025 CB1000 Hornet SP, and we can’t wait to get a ride on that for sure. Brembo and Ohlins and 157hp sound fantastic!IMG 2366

Hopefully 2026 will attract the ‘ones’ missing, if not shame on you. Over the two days many riders and inquisitive motorcycle fans made their way to the show, which was superb to see, and it was free to attend. So keep your eye on social media and our platform for the forthcoming 2026 show, and we’ll most certainly see you there.

04/02/25

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suz 1Ok, we’ve reviewed this scooter before, so quickly go back to our New Rides section for the article. However, that was just a plain white version, this one here is in the new, and ‘old’, Suzuki MotoGP colours. Making it, without doubt, the best looking 125 on the market, don’t you agree, well you jolly well should? And it matches my authentic GSX-RR jacket perfectly – so there.

Now I’ve ridden more scooters than a Vietnamese granddad, maybe, but this is the best 125cc variant I’ve ridden to date. It’s fuel-injected, which makes the long-stroke (52.5mm x 57.4mm), air-cooled, SOHC, two-valve engine, deliver perfect fueling. An absolute pleasure compared to some of the rough running ‘things’ I’ve ridden in the past. It’s also the smoothest 125 engine I’ve come across, for a single-cylinder, and the all-round build quality is exemplary to say the least.

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So, we’re going to report on the ‘MotoGP’ Avenis over the forthcoming months regarding fuel consumption, practicality, etc, and adding a few cosmetic touches, which I’m already preparing. The scooter is brand-new, so it’s just breaking in at the moment and we’re already seeing ridiculous consumption figures relayed off the LCD display. We’ll have confirmed figures for you in the next review. Meanwhile, you could own one, and I couldn’t recommend that more, for a mere R32,850. Now that’s one hell of a bargain in our expensive world for such a cool looking scoot’.

Visit: www.suzukimotorcycle.co.za to see the other colour options available and for more technical information and dealer locations within South Africa.

Images: Ant and Fiddle.

Words: Bill Hunter

23/01/25

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