Suzuki Access 125 [2020-2024]

The Suzuki Access 125 has been a dominant contender in the 125cc space ever since it entered the India market way back in 2007. Being the only 125cc scooter in the market for quite some time, its reign remained unquestioned for almost a decade. Then came along the updated Access 125 which went on to become an absolute dominant force in the 125cc scooter space, outdoing many 110cc scooters in the process.

What worked in favour of the Access is the fact that it was the first 125 automatic scooter in the Indian market, plugging the gap between 100cc offerings (now 110cc) and 150cc geared scooters. The significant performance improvement over smaller scooters without much of a drop in efficiency or practicality had customers hooked, and how! So much so that the Access 125 didn't have a worthy adversary for a long, long time.

But now, a decade later, the market has transitioned from simple utilitarian scooters to more modern, powerful and tech-laden ones thanks to the introduction of new safety and emission standards. It all boils down to who offers more for the money’s worth. Yes, the Access 125 still sits at the top of the food chain, but can it hold onto the position with its most recent update?

We’ve always had mixed feelings about the scooter’s design. I personally feel Suzuki could have given the Access a complete makeover for 2020. Something on the lines of say.. the Suzuki Saluto 125cc that was recently unveiled in Taiwan would surely do the trick! But for now, we have to make do with what we have, which isn’t all that bad. The scooter looks identical to the previous-gen model, with a curvy design language, a handlebar-mounted headlamp, apron-mounted turn indicators, contrasting seat, chrome trims to accentuate its premiumness and an exhaust with a slightly odd-looking, tapered chrome heat shield. 

In the same vein, it maintains its build quality, which is among the best in the segment, with consistent panel gaps and solid feeling plastics.

So what’s new in the tech and features department? To keep in line with the BS6 emission norms, the Access gets a tweaked 125cc motor with fuel injection. Besides this, the scooter features a full LED headlight compared to the conventional halogen unit on the BS4 model. While it has good throw and spread which is fine within city limits, it lacks intensity and which becomes quite evident on pitch dark roads.  

Next up is the new Eco assist illumination which, unlike conventional eco indicators, forms an arch around the speedometer. It stays green when you’re easy on the throttle but gradually turns blue when you begin to accelerate harder. However, we’d like to point out that the Eco assist is merely an indicator and doesn’t really guide the rider with throttle inputs. Another stumbling block is the analogue-digital instrument console with conventional readouts like a fuel gauge, odometer and two trip meters. Sure, it’s legible and easy to read even in the dark, but a full-digital console would surely give the scooter a couple of extra brownie points.  

Other creature comforts come in the form of a USB charging socket placed on the front apron right beside a nifty cubby hole which could be used to store knick-knacks like your phone or wallet. However, we’d advise you to be careful in such situations as it's quite easy for your phone or wallet to fall out of the open storage when you go through crater-sized potholes or over large speed breakers.  

For ease of use, Suzuki has equipped the BS6 Access with an external fuel filler cap placed at the back. But unlike other scooters which have the facility to remotely open the lid, the one on the Access requires you to get off the scooter and physically open the cover with a key. An unlock switch right next to the ignition fob, like the Activa 125 BS6, would have been ideal here.

The updated Suzuki Access 125's suspension setup is one of the best in the market. Be it potholes or huge speed breakers, the setup is configured to soak them up with ease, consequently offering excellent ride quality. The Access SE we tested came equipped with a front disc brake and a rear drum brake which offer good progression and feedback. And though it works better than the previous-gen model while shedding speed, it still lacks bite compared to other front disc brake-equipped scooters. 

Despite the weight gain, the Access 125 still feels nimble on its feet and manages to weave through traffic with utmost ease. Factor in the 12-inch front wheel and you have a scooter that’s as steady as a rock, be it in corners or simply gunning it in a straight line.