Honda Updates PCX and Metropolitan Scooters

[wanna bECO]

doesn't almost every golf cart in the world have the idle/stop feature... I know it's not as developed as Mazda's and honda's but still its very common and not new technology at all.

[CaseyJones]

Originally Posted by wanna bECO

doesn't almost every golf cart in the world have the idle/stop feature... I know it's not as developed as Mazda's and honda's but still its very common and not new technology at all.

I don't know about golf carts today. Thirty-five years ago, I was a kid working on a golf course...the course used Harley-Davidson carts, and yeah, the so-called "alternator" doubled as a starter. Step on the gas, and the thing would crank the engine - through a vee-belt a little thicker than a rubber band. Supposedly, charged through the same motor.

Those things spent a lot of time on battery chargers when not in use. Harley-Davidson at that time was part of AMF, and quality was something the admen were required to insert in copy. And nothing else.

Anyway...it was the same principle but very, very crude and unworkable for a transportation device a user depends on.

[cbolling]

I really like the PCX. My main problem with it is that I just don't fit very well. From all accounts that I am aware of it is faster and gets better mileage than my Zuma 125.

But the Zuma has a long single seat that lets me stretch out my 34" inseam and basically sit in the back seat. The PCX has a stepped seat so I have to sit in one spot and that spot is just too damn close to the front for me to be comfortable. Not to mention, I look like a moron with my knees all bent like that.

[bbishoppcm]

Originally Posted by CaseyJones

Yes!

I'd seen it in very-small applications...the 50cc Ruckus.

I have seen it in very BIG applications...General Electric's diesel locomotives start that way.

Why isn't it universal? Since the alternator is mounted directly to the crankshaft, why not eliminate a few dozen parts and put the charger to double duty?

I would imagine a system like this requires a higher output battery, as there is no gear reduction involved, no?

[CaseyJones]

Originally Posted by bbishoppcm

I would imagine a system like this requires a higher output battery, as there is no gear reduction involved, no?

I'm a locomotive engineer, not an electrical engineer. But to the best of my knowledge, the GE Rail locomotive applications are direct-drive off the secondary alternator - which is connected by a shaft extension off the engine crankshaft. The battery on those things is actually a power-pack that provides 74 volts...a series of lead-acid batteries. Newer models may use different battery technologies; I haven't been on a new GE since 2007. (I work on a short line now, with ancient equipment).

The Harley-Davidson golf-cars, as I mentioned, used belt-driven alternator-starter motors, with a pulley stepdown that looked about 2:1 (when cranking; generator spun twice as fast as the engine). Battery was one twelve-volt car battery, IIRC.

I don't know how/what the Ruckus or PCX use or do.

[Hardguy]

Looks like the MSRP for the 2013 PCX 150 is set at $3449 which is only $50 more than the 2011 PCX 125!

[gogogordy]

Originally Posted by CaseyJones

Yes!

I'd seen it in very-small applications...the 50cc Ruckus.

I have seen it in very BIG applications...General Electric's diesel locomotives start that way.

Why isn't it universal? Since the alternator is mounted directly to the crankshaft, why not eliminate a few dozen parts and put the charger to double duty?

Originally Posted by wanna bECO

doesn't almost every golf cart in the world have the idle/stop feature... I know it's not as developed as Mazda's and honda's but still its very common and not new technology at all.

Only "pedal-start" gas carts use the starter-generator to make the engine stop when the accelerator is released. They dont require heavier duty batteries, but if they aren't kept in a good state of tune, they suck.

They also make "key-start" units , which work more like a traditional car, and are far less convenient when used for golf or any stop and go type use.

In California, golf courses no longer can use gas engined carts, so here in the Golden State, gas is going theway of the 8-track.

(I'm a golf-cart salesman....seriously. Our shop also handles Kymco and Genuine scooters)

[Forde]

as far as i have seen you can pretty easily de-limit a pcx 125 for more speed, lots of info on forums and vids on youtube

[haildamage]

Originally Posted by Forde

as far as i have seen you can pretty easily de-limit a pcx 125 for more speed, lots of info on forums and vids on youtube

cool, please show me which are snake oil and which give real performance gains!

what is the easy way to de-limit or derestrict a PCX125?

[LarryRickenbacker]

Howdy,

125cc, 150cc..either way one can't lose with the PCX. I figure that the PCX 125 will be marked down, given the slight price difference vs. the PCX 150. YMMV. Only downside to the PCX is those skinny tires; enough to give me pause for ownership here in my adopted home state of Louisiana-home of America's worst roads.