Created in Milan in 1971, SWM has stood out for being an innovative and quality brand, and following this ideal, the Hoku 125 is another model manufactured entirely in Italy, breaking away from the trend of importing motorcycles to Europe.
The name of this model, Hoku, means star in Hawaiian, and so we tried to understand during this review if the name chosen by the brand is in line with what this motorcycle has to offer.
At an aesthetic level, the Hoku has a familiar appearance, and from certain angles it reminds us of the more aggressive lines of the Duke 125. At the front, we find a full LED headlight with very futuristic lines, and the turn signals, which are also LED, have an excellent detail: they fill up progressively as we find in some higher-end car models. Highlight for the plastics near the tank with very aggressive lines, while on the seat, the detail of the seams that run through it stands out. This seat is divided into two parts and the part that belongs to the rider is comfortable, making it easy to imagine taking a longer trip on this model. However, the passenger seat is slightly small and harder, suitable for short and medium distance trips. At the rear, we can see a long and raised exhaust, which blends quite well with the model’s aesthetics. Overall, we find a very aggressive and well-executed aesthetic, especially in this orange color that catches the eye!
ENGINE
The engine is a 125 cc single-cylinder that offers us 15 hp at 9,500 rpm, which is excellent considering it is the maximum power allowed for the A1 license. In the lower rev ranges it is calm, showing its strength from 5,000 rpm onwards. We do not feel many vibrations coming from the engine in the kilometers we have done with this model, except at the most extreme revs, although it is inevitable in these engines with only one cylinder. A very positive note for the combination of engine and exhaust system, as together they make a very attractive sound, especially when we push the single-cylinder engine harder. In terms of fuel consumption, it is around 2.7 liters per 100 kilometers traveled, which with the 13-liter capacity tank allows you to travel many roads without the need to refuel.
TECHNOLOGY
In terms of technology, the huge 7-inch TFT screen (which looks like a real tablet) stands out, where it is very easy to see all the information we need. It has two display modes and allows you to connect your smartphone to, for example, use the navigation system that works quite well and can be very useful for long trips. We also find a USB port next to the controls on the left side and tire pressure monitoring, which in a 125, especially not being top of the range, is excellent. A negative aspect is that we do not have an indication of the gear we have engaged (we only have the neutral indication), and this can be problematic especially for those who choose this model as their first motorcycle.
THE BEST Aesthetics, technology, engine
TO IMPROVE Braking, somewhat stiff suspensions, lack of gear indicator
DRIVING
In terms of chassis, we have an inverted front suspension with a 41 mm diameter and a rear adjustable monoshock. The suspension tends to be stiff, which is positive when riding more aggressively, but on degraded roads it can be somewhat uncomfortable.
Regarding braking, we have a 300 mm front disc with a conventional caliper, and a 220 mm rear disc. In this aspect, this SWM falls a bit short of what we would like, requiring a lot of force from our right hand for sudden stops. We have 17″ wheels, 110/70 tires at the front and 140/70 at the rear, and we would actually prefer a wider tire at the back, more for aesthetic reasons as this model seems to be of a higher displacement and therefore deserves something more visually appealing at the rear.
As the seat is at 790 mm from the ground, the Hoku fits well in various heights, and with a weight of only 136 Kg, it is a very agile and easy to maneuver motorcycle at low speeds. When riding, our position is inclined forward, showing its more sporty character and helping us devour curves on a winding road. Despite this sporty vein, it is a very intuitive motorcycle and quite easy for those starting in the world of two wheels. Without legalization expenses, the price of the SWM HOKU 125 starts at €3,990. This value makes this Italian model an interesting solution for those looking for a quality motorcycle with good performance, without spending extremely high amounts for a 125.
With this level of equipment and quality, we can say that it lives up to its name!
SWM HOKU 125
SINGLE-CYLINDER ENGINE 4T, liquid cooling
DISPLACEMENT 124.7 cc
POWER 15 hp (11 kw) @n.d.
TORQUE n.d.
GEARBOX 6 speeds
FRAME steel tubular
TANK 13 liters
FRONT SUSPENSION inverted suspension 41 mm, travel n.d.
REAR SUSPENSION adjustable mono-shock
FRONT BRAKE 300 mm disc, conventional caliper n.d., ABS
