Honda Click 160 vs. Honda forza: different bikes for different rides
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We've been living and riding in Chiang Mai for decades. We break down pros and cons of the Honda Click 160 and the Honda Forza 350!
Obviously, the glaring difference
between these two amazing machines is the engine size. The Honda
Click has a punchy 160cc engine but the Honda Forza has a massive
350cc power plant. This makes the Forza faster, both in acceleration
and in top-speed. To utilize this larger engine you would have to be
primarily riding on highways or going on long road trips like the
famous Mae Hong Song Loop or just an excursion out to Pai.
The Overtaking Gap
With roughly 29 hp, double that of the Click 160, the Forza 350 can easily overtake slow-moving pickup trucks on Highway 1095 (the Mae Hong Son loop) without needing a massive run-up. The Click’s 15 hp is punchy, but overtaking at 80 km/h requires more planning and a prayer that the oncoming lane stays clear.
This difference in power dictates not just how fast you go, but how you feel while getting there. On the Forza, those 350cc's deliver a relaxed, low-revving 31.5 Nm of torque that devours roads, making a 6-hour ride to Pai feel like a gentle cruise. On the Click, the 160cc engine is a high-revving workhorse; it’s eager and nimble for darting through Chiang Mai's traffic jams, and is a world of fun to ride on the Samoeng Loop, but it would not be my first choice to take on a ride to Mae Hong Song!
Ultimately, you aren't choosing between two engine sizes, you're choosing between two experiences: the frantic, fun sprint of the city , or the effortless, mile-munching stride of the highway tourer.
The Samoeng Loop (The Click's Sweet Spot): At 100 km or so with tight, twisty corners and varying elevations, the Click's 160cc is perfect. You're rarely exceeding 80-90 km/h, so the engine stays comfortably in its power band, and the lighter chassis makes flicking through the bends an absolute joy. It's the ideal bike for that ride. Check out our Samoeng Loop Guide!
City Riding & Doi Suthep (The Click Shines): This is where the Click 160 truly comes into its own. Navigating Chiang Mai's congested old city streets, the Click's light weight makes filtering through traffic a breeze, you'll weave between Songthaews and tuk-tuks with the confidence that a heavier scooter simply can't match. And for the winding road leading up to the top of Doi suthep the Click 160 is a great choice. It's a slow road full of tight bends and steep climbs perfect for the little Click!
To be fair, the Forza can handle city riding, but its extra bulk and weight make tight U-turns and the general chaos of the streets here intimidating. It's doable, but the Click is simply more at home in the city.
The Mae Hong Son Loop (The Forza's Territory): At over 600 km with multiple days of riding, long highway stretches between towns, and steep, sustained climbs, the Forza's extra grunt is perfect. The Click 160 can do it (we have many times!), but you'll be ringing its neck on every overtake and feeling every vibration by day two. The Forza transforms this epic journey from a test of endurance into a relaxed cruise.
These two bikes are in entirely different leagues with regards to rental prices. Renting a Click 160 for a week might only cost you 2,000 thb but taking a Forza out for a week tour around Northern Thailand would most likely cost you 6,000 thb or more. So, if you are planning on a long road trip, the extra cost is probably worth it, but if you are primarily staying in Chiang Mai it is hard to justify paying so much more for the Forza.
If you are planning to stay mostly in the city or plan to ride the Samoeng Loop or visit the temple at the top of Doi Suthep, the Click 160 is the best bike for the job. It is simply the very best all-rounder and will not feel restrictive in the mountains or in the city streets.
If you are looking to ride the Mae Hong Song Loop or ride out to Pai, Chiang Rai or further, we strongly recommend the Forza. It's the champion of highway cruising and long distance touring. But be warned, it is not a great bike to get around the tight city streets of Chiang Mai!
Choose the Click for the city and nearby mountains; choose the Forza for the open road. Neither is "better"—they're just built for completely different adventures.
