Independent Guide

Ride Chiang Mai helps you pick the right bike and the right road. Grounded notes from the saddle.

Scooter Class

City Scooters

Master the Nimman gridlock. Compare Honda Click 125i, Scoopy 110, Yamaha Fazzio, and Honda Giorno 125.

City Scooters
THE VERDICT

Light, Low, and Nimble

Choose a City scooter (110cc–125cc) if you are staying mostly within the 10km radius of Chiang Mai city, prioritize ease of parking, or have never ridden a scooter before. These are the most popular bikes in Thailand for a reason: they are essentially indestructible and incredibly easy to handle.

In the “City” class, weight is your friend. At roughly 95kg–112kg, these bikes are 30% lighter than the larger touring models. This makes “filtering” through Nimman traffic or squeezing into a tight temple parking spot feel effortless rather than a workout.

Field Note
If you are a solo traveler under 70kg, a 125cc City scooter can actually handle Doi Suthep and the Samoeng Loop perfectly well. The limitation isn’t the distance; it’s the steepness and payload.
DECISION FORK

Which 125cc bike is right for you?

While they all handle the city well, styling, seat height, and storage space vary greatly. The biggest technical differentiator is Air-Cooled vs. Liquid-Cooled engines—crucial if you plan to venture up the mountains.

FEATUREHonda Click 125iHonda Scoopy 110Yamaha Fazzio 125Honda Giorno 125
EngineLiquid Cooled ✅Air CooledAir CooledLiquid Cooled ✅
Seat Height769 mm746 mm (Lowest)750 mm780 mm ⚠️ (Tallest)
Weight112 kg95 kg (Lightest)95 kg118 kg
Storage18 L15.4 L17.8 L30 L (Largest)
Daily Rate฿250–฿300฿200–฿250฿250–฿300฿300–฿350
Safety FlagNo ABSNo ABSNo ABS

ABS Variant Exists

Best ForAll-Round City+Short Riders / BudgetAgility / StyleHuge Storage
PERFORMANCE

Class Breakdown

We rate the 110-125cc City class as the absolute best for navigating the dense traffic of the Old City moat and Nimman.

City Traffic Agility
5

Unmatched. Skinny profiles and light weight make lane filtering effortless.

Storage & Utility
3.5

Adequate. Fits a half-helmet and some groceries, except the Giorno which swallows a full-face helmet.

Two-up (Couples) Comfort
2.5

Cramped for Western adults. Suspension will bottom out on larger potholes when loaded.

Mountain/Hill Margin
2

Marginal. Solo riders can manage Doi Suthep, but two-up climbing is unsafe and stresses the belt/engine.

ENGINEERING

The “Showstopper” Features

AGILITY

Ultra-Lightweight Frame

At under 100kg (for Scoopy and Fazzio), these bikes have a nonexistent learning curve. They are easy to push backward out of a slanted parking spot and simple to keep upright at red lights.

ECONOMY

50+ km/L Fuel Efficiency

City scooters are incredibly cheap to run. A full tank of Gasohol 91 costs under 100 THB and will last most casual riders an entire week of exploring cafes and temples.

PARKING

Small Footprint

Parking in Nimmanhaemin is notoriously difficult. A narrow City scooter can slot into gaps between parked cars or other bikes that an ADV or PCX physically cannot fit into.

ACCESSIBILITY

Flat Floorboards

The step-through design means no swinging your leg over a high center tunnel. You can easily carry a tote bag or backpack between your feet—a huge plus for market shopping.

KM
Tip from the EditorKai Mercer / Ride Chiang Mai

For pure city riding, smaller is better. A Scoopy is basically a bicycle with an engine—perfect for first-timers. But if you think you might head out to the mountains even once, rent the liquid-cooled Click 125i. It won’t overheat on the climbs.

FINAL VERDICT

The Rankings

Honda Click 125i

#1
The All-Rounder

The undisputed king of the Chiang Mai rental fleet. It hits the perfect balance: light enough (112kg) for easy city filtering, but its liquid-cooled engine won’t overheat if you decide to ride up Doi Suthep solo.

Honda Scoopy 110

#2
Beginners & Short Legs

At just 95kg with a 746mm seat height, this is the most unintimidating scooter you can rent. If you are nervous about riding or want the cheapest daily rate, this is it.

Route Warning
Air-cooled 110cc engine is not suitable for two-up mountain climbing. It will struggle.

Honda Giorno 125

#3
Style & Storage

A stylish, retro-modern scooter that packs a punch. It features a liquid-cooled 4-valve engine and a massive 30L under-seat storage that beats everything else in this class. Watch out for the surprisingly tall 780mm seat.

"Specs help, but condition matters more. Before you head to the hills, check the tires, squeeze the brakes, and make sure the bike feels manageable at a stop. Safety in Chiang Mai isn't found in a brochure."

By Kai Mercer · Updated April 26, 2026