Honda Click 160 vs. Honda Scoopy: Which Chiang Mai Rental Scooter is Best for You?
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After 16+ years of riding the roads of northern Thailand, we’ve learned exactly what works and what doesn't. Here is our honest, real-world comparison of the Click 160 vs. the Scoopy.
The most noticeable difference between the Honda Click 160i and the Honda Scoopy is the engine. The Scoopy features a 110cc engine, whereas the Click 160 packs a much larger 160cc engine. This represents a massive leap in displacement, and you will immediately notice the drop in power if you switch from the Click to the Scoopy.
If your travel plans consist purely of zipping around the flat streets of the old city, hopping between cafes, and short commutes, the Scoopy’s 110cc engine is actually more than enough. It is fuel-efficient, and easy to handle in tight spaces.
However, the power deficit becomes a real issue the moment you face elevation or carry extra weight. If you plan to head up Doi Suthep or tackle the winding hills of the Samoeng Loop, the Scoopy will struggle significantly on the steep climbs, whereas the Click 160 cruises up those inclines effortlessly.
The main issue we see daily with our customers comes down to riding with a passenger. Most people who rent from us prefer to share a single bike, and the Scoopy's 110cc engine really feels the strain with two people on board, especially if those two people are tall or on the heavier side. If you are planning long-distance day trips into the mountains or riding two-up, the extra power of the Click 160 isn't just about speed. It is a matter of comfort and safety on the road.
Honda Click 160i has more power for mountain roads and is better for two passengers.
The next major difference is the braking system. The Click 160 ABS model comes equipped with disc brakes on both the front and the back wheels, alongside an Anti-lock Braking System on the front. In comparison, the Scoopy relies on a traditional disc brake in the front and an inferior drum brake on the rear wheel. Anyone who has ridden a bike with drum brakes will tell you how poor they are at stopping.
The rear drum brake on the Scoopy is very old tech, and you really feel the lack of stopping power when you are trying to slow down on steep hills, especially with a passenger. While the Scoopy's setup gets the job done for simple, low-speed city cruising, the modern dual disc brakes and front ABS protection on the Click 160 give you a massive safety advantage and much more confidence on the road.
Another highly noticeable difference on the road comes down to the wheels and tyres. The Click 160 features significantly wider tyres and a larger 14-inch wheel size, whereas the Scoopy uses smaller 12-inch wheels with narrower tyres.
The roads in Chiang Mai, even in the city, are not great. Potholes are plenty and roads can be slippy, especially when it is raining. The smaller the wheel, the more dangerous potholes become, as a small wheel drops much deeper into road gaps and can easily throw you off balance. Having a larger 14-inch wheel on the Click 160 can make a huge difference if you hit a surprise pothole, allowing you to roll right over the impact with much more control.
Roads can also get incredibly slick after rainfall. Having the wider tyres of the Click 160 means you have a larger contact patch with the ground, providing significantly more grip and stability.
Some things that both bikes have.
They are both extremely agile for the city traffic. Whizzing around the old city sois or navigating the side streets of Nimmanhaeman Road are handles easily by both bikes.
Both scooters come with USB charging ports for your phones, which is an amazing quality of life addition. No need to worry about your phone running out of battery in the middle of the Samoeng Loop!
Underseat storage is found on both bikes, however, the Click 160 has a slightly larger space for a helmet or bags.
Both bikes, assuming the Scoopy is not an older model, come with the Honda Smart Key system, which helps protect against theft and essentially makes the bike keyless.
