Honda Giorno vs Yamaha Grand Filano vs Honda Click 125 for Chiang Mai

Best choice for most travelers

Verdict	Choice
Old City / Nimman errands, light and nimble	Click 125i
Style-focused solo rider, maximum under-seat storage	Giorno 125
Two-up city riding, passenger comfort	Grand Filano 125
Any mountain route	Upgrade to 160cc class

Specifications

Spec	Honda Click 125i	Honda Giorno 125	Yamaha Grand Filano 125
Engine	125cc, liquid-cooled, eSP	125cc, liquid-cooled, eSP+	125cc, air-cooled, Blue Core Hybrid
Power	~11 hp	~11.4 hp	~8.1 hp
Torque	10.8 Nm	11.6 Nm	10.4 Nm
Kerb weight	111 kg	115–116 kg	~101 kg
Seat height	769mm	780mm	790mm
Ground clearance	132mm	~130mm	~125mm
Fuel tank	5.5L	5.4L	4.4L
Under-seat storage	~18L	~30L	~18–21L
Front brake	Hydraulic Disc	Hydraulic Disc	Disc
Rear brake	Drum (CBS)	Drum (CBS)	Drum
ABS	No	Optional (single-channel)	No (standard)
Hybrid assist	No	No	Yes
Keyless ignition	No	Yes (Giorno+)	Yes
Rental/day (Chiang Mai)	฿250–฿350	฿350–฿450	฿300–฿400

Side-by-side comparison

Factor	Honda Click 125i	Honda Giorno 125	Yamaha Grand Filano 125
City nimble feel	Lightest, narrowest — king of moat filtering	Comfortable, slightly heavier	Good — hybrid torque helps at lights
Mountain / hill margin	Struggles solo on steep climbs	Better solo than Click — 11.4hp	Marginal at best — hybrid assist runs out
Two-up riding	Limited — cramped seat	Limited — passenger perches on rear	Best in class — wide flat seat, footrests
Storage	Adequate — half-helmet + small bag	Best in class — 30L fits full-face helmet	Adequate — confirm with rental shop
Passenger comfort	Poor — short sloping seat	Poor — rider close, seat perches forward	Excellent — wide seat, good footrests
Beginner feel	Easiest — light, predictable	Good — low-speed balance	Moderate — higher seat, lighter front end
Style	Sporty, utilitarian	Retro Italian-inspired	Modern, functional

What the bikes actually feel like on the road

Giorno 125 — on Chiang Mai roads

The Giorno 125 carries its weight well in Nimman gridlock. It feels approachable with its 12-inch wheels and 780mm seat height. Taking off from the traffic light at Maya Mall is smooth — the 4-valve eSP+ engine (11.4 hp) is arguably the peppiest of these three off the line.

The single rear shock, however, is a budget unit. On a smooth stretch of Nimman road it glides, but hit a recessed manhole cover, and the Giorno’s suspension will send a sharp jolt through the seat, particularly if you have a passenger. The front single-channel ABS (when equipped) offers peace of mind on dusty city turns, stopping firmly without drama.

It’s completely out of its element on Doi Suthep; the small wheels and lack of suspension travel make descending mountain switchbacks nervous work, and the engine labors noticeably when climbing two-up.

Grand Filano 125 — on Chiang Mai roads

At 790mm, the Filano’s wide, plush seat feels surprisingly tall — shorter riders may find themselves on their tiptoes at the Tha Phae Gate light. Despite its height, it’s very light (101 kg) and easy to balance.

The Blue Core hybrid assist defines the Filano’s low-speed feel. The electric motor gives you a seamless, silent nudge from a standstill, smoothing out stop-and-go traffic perfectly without a harsh throttle snap. The wide seat and ample floorboard space make it an incredibly relaxed place to sit for both rider and passenger during 30-minute cross-town hops.

Like the Giorno, it suffers on mountain roads. The hybrid assist runs out of breath quickly on sustained grades, leaving you holding the throttle wide open to maintain 40 km/h up Doi Suthep. The suspension also wallows over mid-corner bumps when loaded.

Click 125i — on Chiang Mai roads

The Click 125i feels like an appliance, but a highly effective one. It’s incredibly narrow and, at 111 kg, remarkably easy to flick through stationary traffic. The low center of gravity and 14-inch wheels give it more gyroscopic stability over small potholes than the Giorno’s 12-inch setup.

Power delivery from the 11 hp eSP engine is linear and gentle, making it the most forgiving option here for absolute beginners learning throttle control. You won’t accidentally surge forward.

The trade-off is stopping power. The rear drum brake equipped with CBS (Combined Braking System) requires frequent pulling pressure and can feel spongy. Unlike the Giorno’s ABS or the NMAX’s dual-channel setup, hard braking on a wet Chiang Mai road requires a delicate, practiced touch to prevent a front-wheel tuck.

Source: ASEAN Now owner discussions (2024–2025); ZigWheels Thailand owner reviews.

The real difference

All three are 125cc-class scooters — none are right for Doi Suthep climbs under load, Samoeng Loop, or any serious mountain route. If your itinerary includes hills, stop reading this and go straight to the Click 160 or ADV 160.

Click 125i is the lightest and most common rental. At 111 kg it feels nimble in slow traffic, easy to park, and straightforward to handle. The 5.5L tank gives adequate range for a full day of Old City and Nimman errands. The trade-off is minimal storage, a spongy rear drum brake that requires frequent adjustment, and a single rear shock that bottoms out on drain covers. It is the default rental for a reason — if in doubt, this is the safe choice.

Giorno 125 stands out for its 30L under-seat storage — one of the largest in the 125cc class. It fits a full-face helmet and a small bag simultaneously, which matters for full-day errands or rainy weather gear. The retro Italian-inspired design is a deliberate style statement — it attracts attention in Nimman in a way the utilitarian Click does not. The trade-off is a slightly taller seat (780mm) and a firm single rear shock. The Giorno+ keyless system is standard on current models. It costs more per day than the Click but delivers meaningfully more practicality.

Grand Filano 125 is the passenger comfort winner. The wide flat seat and proper passenger footrests make it the most comfortable 125cc for two-up city riding — significant for travelers who plan to ride with a partner around town. The Filano’s Blue Core hybrid system provides electric torque assist at startup and under load. At a busy Nimman intersection or Tha Phae Gate traffic light, this means the Filano pulls away more smoothly than the Click — meaningful for heavy stop-and-go city riding. The trade-off is the smallest fuel tank (4.4L) and the highest seat (790mm), which can intimidate shorter riders. Storage is adequate but not class-leading.

Rental notes

• Click 125i: ฿250–฿350/day — the most universally available, backbone of most rental fleets
• Giorno 125: ฿350–฿450/day — available at Cat Motors, Mango, Bikago; keyless Smart Key standard
• Grand Filano 125: ฿300–฿400/day — confirm exact storage capacity with rental shop before booking
• All three require a standard driving license; IDP recommended
• Deposit typically 2,000–3,000 THB for all three bikes
• All three are available at: Cat Motors, Mango, Bikago, Big Dog, Zippy, POP Big Bike

Research from Ride Chiang Mai 2026 bike dossiers.