The Honda SH125i celebrates 25 years of production

The Honda SH125i celebrates 25 years of continuous production as one of Europe’s most revered urban scooters.

Decades of continuous evolution have shaped a distinctive silhouette that remains instantly identifiable on Europe’s city streets.

Designed and manufactured in Italy, the SH125i has become a symbol of stylish, practical city mobility, regularly appearing among Europe’s best-selling scooters with over 20,000 units sold annually since 2020. This landmark highlights Honda’s commitment to blending Italian design flair with Japanese engineering excellence, making the SH125i a favourite among daily commuters and style-conscious riders alike.

The latest generation of the SH125i and SH150i builds on this legacy with the introduction of premium technologies, including a 4.2-inch colour TFT display, Honda RoadSync connectivity, and full LED lighting throughout. Design refinement has also progressed further, with cleaner, more sophisticated lines developed under the direction of Giovanni Dovis at Honda’s R&D centre in Rome.

History & Evolution of Honda’s SH Range

Honda’s SH range began in 1984 with the introduction of the SH50, establishing a practical, easy-to-ride scooter designed for urban life.

The concept evolved in 1996 with updated SH50 models and the addition of the SH100, expanding the range’s versatility and appeal.

A defining milestone came in 2001 with the launch of the SH125, introducing the large-wheel design that would become a signature of the SH family.

The model evolved in 2005 into the SH125i, adopting fuel injection to improve efficiency and everyday usability.

Further refinements followed in 2012 with the 2012 SH125i, delivering updated styling and improved comfort.

The 2020 generation modernised the scooter with sharper design and enhanced technology, ensuring continued relevance in the competitive 125cc class. The 2024 SH125i introduced further refinements and sustainable materials, leading to the latest 2026 SH125i, which continues to blend modern technology with the timeless SH design philosophy developed over more than four decades.

Honda SH125i

Performance & Features

The SH125i’s performance has always focused on efficiency, agility and comfort, making it ideal for urban riders:

  • Fuel efficiency: Early models achieved near-record fuel consumption close to 30 km/l (combined braking system enhanced safety).
  • Modern tech: The latest 2026 model (26YM) includes a 4.2-inch colour TFT display, Honda RoadSync connectivity and full LED lighting, blending functionality with contemporary rider expectations.

View the SH125i

Production and Design

Speaking on the SH range's production, Sebastiano Cerrone, Head of Production Innovation, commented:

“For me, the SH is not just a scooter, but a true icon that combines Italian design with Japanese engineering. Producing it at every stage conveys a sense of pride and belonging, like feeling part of a genuine success story!”

To further add to the SH range's impactful design, Giovanni Dovis, Lead Designer at Honda R&D Roma, said:

“To me, the SH125 represents a design that is confident in its clarity and restraint. The SH family has always been defined by its instantly recognisable proportions, the purity of a single, continuous line running from front to rear, and a deliberate avoidance of overdesign - values that give the scooter a timeless, functional elegance.”


Identity and Innovation

Managing Director, Marcello Vinciguerra, stated:

“For me, the SH is the king of the market. It is the passionate identity of our Atessa plant, and its origins confirm Honda's innovative spirit, having given birth to the “high-wheel scooter. The SH, with its focus on agility and sustainability, elegantly embodies the inclusiveness of every customer.”

Honda SH125i

Upgrade your commute

William Armuzzi, Head of Motorcycles for Honda Motor Italia (HME-IT), mentioned:

“The SH is part of the urban landscape in all Italian cities: it is like the Colosseum in Rome or the Duomo in Milan. SH is part of our lives, enabling us to commute in the most efficient and fashionable way, and is part of our enjoyment in transforming every day-to-day journey into a traffic-busting fun ride.”

This evolution maintains the SH125i’s reputation for smooth urban performance, rider-friendly power delivery and everyday practicality.

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