Fault in the PCX bikes ?

[Odense]

I am renting a bike from http://kessayamotorbikerentals.com as many times before and I am pleased with the service and prices I get from Mark

 

This time it is a PCX150 and it is running very well - but the "Idling Stop" is not working. I asked Mark about it and said said he had disabled this on all the PCX he had since the function ruined the batteries.

 

I have never heard of this but think that my fellow boardies should be informed so they also can avoid ruining their batteries. I do miss the function a little and think it is pretty unlike Honda to keep a defect function on their bikes.

 

[Bek]

It's probably due to all the stop-and-go traffic in Pattaya. The battery doesn't get charged properly, when stopping all the time.

 

 

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[Navychief(SS)]

I have a PCX 150 that I bought new about a year ago. I have had no problems to date with it. I take it in for it regular maintenance and all is well. Knock on wood!

[Lok Jit]

Many owners of the PCX disconnect this auto stop..If you have to Move Fast keep it running..Batterys can also be a problem if driven only in town with the auto stop feature....Many just don't like it..

[hogstar]

I have been working in my local Honda dealership and these PCX are a very reliable bike, over here in the Uk they are 125 cc, which are Made in Thailand, these uk ones have a switch on the right hand handlebar to enable or disable the idle/stop. Maybe i think they are getting longer runs here to charge the battery more,  but in Thailand it is much hotter so should not be so bad on the battery, on the very odd bike we have had to change the bearing on the back wheel drive as this can get noisy, but most never give any probs. At first service time we also copper grease the exhaust mounting bolts and the right hand side swingarm bolts as the full exhaust has to be removed at a later date when you need a replacment tyre, good bike, best selling bike in the uk off any cc.

[Odense]

Many owners of the PCX disconnect this auto stop..If you have to Move Fast keep it running..Batterys can also be a problem if driven only in town with the auto stop feature....Many just don't like it..

 

All the feedback from actual PCX owners (some for many years) to this question is that it has not ruined their batteries.

I think that the fact some people do not like it is the reason Honda put a switch on the bike to engage/disengage "idling stop". That way people can choose. When you disable the switch people cannot choose anymore.

[paulyd2k]

yes I had a prob with mine, if you realise that when engine turns off the lights are still on so if battery aint in top condition, when stuck in traffic for ages it takes it`s toll on the battery,  most traffic lights are adjusted for fri,sat, sunday in pattaya so waiting ages some times, for green light, I know it`s a nice gimmick mind, quick off the mark at a touch of the throttle,lol

[striderman]

if you are renting out  PCX's fuel consumption is not an issue but replacing a batteries is.

[Hallmark]

All the feedback from actual PCX owners (some for many years) to this question is that it has not ruined their batteries.

I think that the fact some people do not like it is the reason Honda put a switch on the bike to engage/disengage "idling stop". That way people can choose. When you disable the switch people cannot choose anymore.

 

I tell you what Morten, if you're that keen on having the idle switch working then feel free to take it to a shop and reconnect it, it's only disconnected behind the switch, a 2 minute job, probably cost you more to have that done than the fuel you'd save.

 

But as you will have decided to reconnect it you will be responsible for sorting any problems and costs that may arise. I also won't be coming out to sort the problem if it did happen, it would be on you. Don't forget that there's no kick start to start it so you would be stuck.

 

The Clicks and PCX share the same battery, a Honda replacement battery costs about 800-900bt, hardly top quality at that price is it ? And you don't get any warning the battery is going to die either. 

[B-Man]

I have had mine for a year now, never any problems and i use the idle stop a lot. For an owner no need to disconnect it, just switch it off.

I think it is a bit over kill for those that rent bikes out to disconnect it. Just do regular maintenance on the bike and plan to replace the battery every two years and there should be no dramas

[Hallmark]

I have had mine for a year now, never any problems and i use the idle stop a lot. For an owner no need to disconnect it, just switch it off.

I think it is a bit over kill for those that rent bikes out to disconnect it. Just do regular maintenance on the bike and plan to replace the battery every two years and there should be no dramas

 

My bikes, my choice to disconnect. 

 

No dramas ? The calls at all hours of the day because the battery is flat and no kick start ? And at the end of the day for what ? To save a few satang on fuel ? If people are that concerned about saving that on fuel then I'd have no problem if they rented elsewhere as it'll save me hassle going out to sort the bike out.

[Bek]

I think it is a bit over kill for those that rent bikes out to disconnect it. Just do regular maintenance on the bike and plan to replace the battery every two years and there should be no dramas

The problem is not a worn out battery, it's not the fact that it can be difficult to maintain it properly charged. The cars with this feature have all kinds of sensors to determine whether the idle function will work or not - batteri voltage, driving pattern, temperature and what not... The PCX is most likely a bit more simple.

 

Anyway, it's all up to the guy who owns the motorbike. I for one would appreciate it to be disconnected, if it increases the risk of not being able to start the bike - and I can certainly sympathize with the owner not liking to have to deal with his bikes not starting, due to one of his customers want to save a few baht on fuel.

 

 

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[Odense]

I tell you what Morten, if you're that keen on having the idle switch working then feel free to take it to a shop and reconnect it, it's only disconnected behind the switch, a 2 minute job, probably cost you more to have that done than the fuel you'd save.

 

But as you will have decided to reconnect it you will be responsible for sorting any problems and costs that may arise. I also won't be coming out to sort the problem if it did happen, it would be on you. Don't forget that there's no kick start to start it so you would be stuck.

 

Hi Mark,

That is a nice offer - but I think I will decline.

That I should assume responsibility for the maintenance of your bike because I brought one small function back to original condition - that would be rather stupid of me.

I don't care about the potential fuel savings (not very eco friendly I guess) but I do like not having engine vibrations when I don't need the engine.

[Odense]

Anyway, it's all up to the guy who owns the motorbike. I for one would appreciate it to be disconnected, if it increases the risk of not being able to start the bike - and I can certainly sympathize with the owner not liking to have to deal with his bikes not starting, due to one of his customers want to save a few baht on fuel.

 

Naturally - his bikes - his choice. He could perhaps mention it on the webpage and in the booking confirmation mail that he has disabled one of the functions of the bike.

 

Honda already put in a switch to engage/disengage the idling stop - why would you appreciate no longer to have the choice ?

 

Not about the gas - see previous answer.

[Bek]

Honda already put in a switch to engage/disengage the idling stop - why would you appreciate no longer to have the choice ?

 

Because then I wouldn't have to worry about if the battery's capacity is able to handle stop-and-go traffic like in Pattaya... Or have to deal with it, when I learn that the feature isn't compatible with my driving habits.

 

If you see it from Marks point of view, and maybe already have had some dissatisfied customers because of the battery not being able to cope with stop-and-go traffic, it's the only reasonable thing to do.

 

 

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[Hallmark]

 

I don't care about the potential fuel savings (not very eco friendly I guess) but I do like not having engine vibrations when I don't need the engine.

 

Then use the ignition to stop the vibration, that will also turn out the headlights which stay on when the idle stop is used, which in turn will hopefully increase the battery life.

[steamer]

Did some googling and it does seem to be an issue. Wouldn't want to have a dead battery esp since there is no kick start.

[Odense]

Then use the ignition to stop the vibration, that will also turn out the headlights which stay on when the idle stop is used, which in turn will hopefully increase the battery life.

 

It is not the quick and convenient way Honda built into the bikes - but I will do it like that and damn the impatient sods behind me at the lights :-D

[gimmesum]

What Mark is saying makes total sense.  He is doing you a favor disconnecting it. These bikes idle very smooth perhaps you have a vibrator phobia - not so common in Pattaya!

[filibuster]

I thought the new (2014) version had a better battery and a battery monitor system - if the battery is low, the idle stop function is deactivated.  As an aside, what colours does the current model come in?

[Hallmark]

I thought the new (2014) version had a better battery and a battery monitor system - if the battery is low, the idle stop function is deactivated.  As an aside, what colours does the current model come in?

 

The bike in question is the 2013 version of the PCX150, what you've said here says to me that Honda realised there was a problem with the system and maybe have rectified it on the new version ?

 

The new PCX comes in many colours. 

[Odense]

What Mark is saying makes total sense.  He is doing you a favor disconnecting it. These bikes idle very smooth perhaps you have a vibrator phobia - not so common in Pattaya!

 

Of course he is not - I always prefer to have the choice - the switch that Honda put on the bike gave me the option to switch it off I preferred that.

[bangna]

No kick start? Maybe Mr. Honda will come out when the bike doesn't start.

 

If there is now a battery monitor system built in it would be because of customer and dealer feedback.

[doug]

I agree that if you want Mark's bike to shut down you can just turn the ignition off at the stop light.  I am sure Marks pcx problems (prior to disconnecting the switch) were at night which would be a complete hassle.   I would guess that if he could he would rather have less running hours on his bikes if it wasn't a hassle with batteries occasionally dying and the customer expecting him to come and remedy the situation.  The area that most people stay and party in Pattaya doesn't have many long stretches to charge a battery properly.   I am sure that many renters would not have a problem with the battery if the switch worked, but some would have a problem and Mark is entitled to avoid unnecessary calls by disconnecting it.  The more hassle it is for him to keep these bikes running the more we will have to pay when we rent, I am fine with a little vibration down there.

[filibuster]

I am sure Marks pcx problems (prior to disconnecting the switch) were at night which would be a complete hassle.   

 

Why would the "problems" be at night, rather than during the day?       If you put down the side stand on a PCX it also cuts out the engine without switching off the lights .... and drains your battery.