- Designed and built in Italy, the SH range of scooters are an iconic staple of several major European cities, bringing stylish and joyful mobility to hundreds of thousands of riders
- The SH125i is a perennial presence on the list of best-selling European scooters, with over 20,000 SH125i’s sold every year since 2020
- Marking 25 years since its introduction, the 26YM updates see the SH125i and SH150i keep moving forward thanks to updated design lines, new technologies and increased use of sustainable materials
- Below, key Honda personnel responsible for the design, production and sales of SH talk about what the iconic name means to them
Since its inception in 1984, the Honda SH series has become a cornerstone of stylish urban mobility in cities across Europe. Renowned for its elegant design, reliability and practicality, the family of big wheel scooters has evolved into one of the most iconic two-wheeled model ranges in the world.
An unbroken chain of constant development and evolution has resulted in a silhouette that has sustained for decades, cutting a unique shape in the bustling traffic of the European continent. The SH125’s latest evolution introduces premium technologies for the SH125i and SH150i such as a 4.2” colour TFT screen and Honda RoadSync connectivity to complement its all-round LED lighting. The styling itself has been made even cleaner and refined thanks to the work of Giovanni Dovis at Honda’s R&D centre in Rome.
It isn’t just the tech spec and design that have moved on. The 2026 specification SH125i and SH150i builds on the pioneering groundwork of the SH125 ‘Vetro’ – a variant of the SH that reduces CO2 output during the manufacturing process at the Atessa factory due to the use of semi-transparent unpainted fairings. Taking this a step further, the 26YM SH125i and SH150i gain the application of sustainable materials for the rear plate carrier and exhaust muffler surround – symbolic of the model’s continuous refinement and development.
Origins and Model Development
The SH series began with the SH50 in 1984, a 49cc two-stroke moped produced in Belgium. It featured styling, compact size and flat footboard which made it ideal for urban commuting, and as a result it was instantly popular with riders.
In 1987, Honda Motor Co. Ltd. tasked its Spanish subsidiary Montesa Honda (then based in Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona) with producing the SH. The plant launched a new 75cc version that was tailored to Spain’s regulatory requirements, followed shortly afterward by a 50cc model designed for younger riders. It was during this era that the SH picked up its well‑known nickname: ‘Scoopy’.
Production at the Montesa Honda facility continued until 1996, where over this production period, the factory built more than 106,000 SH50’s and an additional 27,600 SH75 models.
In 1996, Honda announced that production was to move to its Atessa factory in Italy (HII), for the introduction of the second generation SH50; a move that strengthened Honda’s ties with riders in Europe’s biggest scooter market. Alongside the second-generation SH50, the larger capacity SH100 was also introduced, offering all the benefits of the SH50 with added power.
The iconic SH125 and SH150 were introduced in 2001, bringing with them a style that has endured to this day. The pair were able to respond to market demands: agile in traffic, high quality and attractive to look at. The signature 16” front wheel offered riders extra security on the cobbled and uneven road surfaces of many major European cities. Fuel consumption was record-breaking (close to 30 km/l) and dynamic performance was innovative with the introduction of CBS (combined braking system).
The models took significant strides forward in 2005 with the introduction of PGM-FI electronic fuel injection, which further reduced fuel consumption and emissions – with both the SH125i and SH150i hitting Euro 3 approval. Versions were also developed for the North American, Canadian and Australian markets.
As the decade continued, the SH family continued to grow. 2007 saw the addition of the SH300i. A large capacity scooter that was designed for both city and highway use, immediately increasing useability.
In 2012, a real step change in the model’s development occurred. The SH125i and SH150i, in addition to a completely revised design, received new eSP (enhance Smart Power) engines, an all-new frame, that allowed for more space under the seat, and the introduction of ABS braking and a fuel-efficient start-stop system.
The SH Mode 125 joined the line-up in 2014, bringing with it a fun aura and fuel efficiency in a new model aimed at younger riders through its simplified approach to urban mobility.
The leadership of Honda Italia Industriale over the years has brought multiple innovations and firsts that have kept the SH moving forward. This trend was continued in 2023 with the introduction of the ‘Vetro’ editions of the SH125i and SH150i – two new variants within the line-up which utilise semi-transparent, unpainted fairings that reduce by 9.5% the amount of CO2 used in the Atessa factory compared with the processes for standard painted fairings. Revisions to the SH125i and SH150i range’s engines ensured EURO5+ compliance.
“For the 26YM evolution, the challenge was to respect the SH’s DNA while elevating its character,” explains Giovanni Dovis, Lead Designer at Honda R&D Roma (HRE). “The new front lighting architecture – headlight, winkers and signature light – together with the introduction of the TFT display, became the natural focal points around which the design was developed. By further simplifying volumes and reducing unnecessary character lines, the design feels cleaner and more minimal, allowing the technology to express itself with precision and honesty, without ever compromising the essential identity of the SH.”
Sales and Production Highlights
By 2017, Honda’s Atessa factory had produced over 1 million SH scooters. The models represent around one-third of total production at the Atessa plant, underscoring their significance in Honda’s European operations. And, naturally, the production has served a constant stream of demand: since 2012 more than 264,000 SH125i’s have been sold across Europe.
Sales for the entire SH family in 2025 are impressive, with almost 60,000 units sold across Europe in 2025:
- SH125i: 26,847 units
- SH150i: 11,369 units
- SH350i: 14,646 units
- SH Mode 125: 6,962 units
Cultural impact and personal reflections on the importance of the SH model range
In 2024, the SH series celebrated its 40th anniversary with events hosted by Honda Italy and Honda Motor Europe. Over those four decades of evolution, the SH family has been worked on by a dedicated workforce at the Atessa factory near Pescara, which now has over 600 employees.
The SH series continues to symbolize innovation, tradition, and urban excellence in European mobility – not just with customers, but with those Honda people who have nurtured its development over the decades.
Below are the reflections of several such members of ‘team SH’:
- Sebastiano Cerrone, Head of Product Innovation, Honda Italia Industriale (HII):
“For me, the SH is not just a scooter, but a true icon that combines Italian design with Japanese engineering. Producing it at every stage conveys a sense of pride and belonging, like feeling part of a genuine success story!”
- Marcello Vinciguerra, Managing Director, Honda Italia Industriale (HII):
“For me, the SH is the king of the market. It is the passionate identity of our Atessa plant, and its origins confirm Honda’s innovative spirit, having given birth to the “high-wheel scooter”.
The SH, with its focus on agility and sustainability, elegantly embodies the inclusiveness of every customer.”
- Fausto Giancristofaro, Senior Development Specialist, Honda Italia Industriale (HII):
“For me, the SH is much more than a scooter: it is a symbol of trust and everyday life.
It accompanies people’s lives with simplicity, elegance and reliability.
It has been a best seller for over twenty years, an icon that is difficult to imitate due to its uniqueness: low fuel consumption, great manoeuvrability, comfort and unmistakable style.
The SH is the essence of Honda!”
- William Armuzzi, Head of Motorcycles for Honda Motor Italia (HME-IT):
“The SH is part of the urban landscape in all Italian cities: it is like the Colosseum in Rome or the Duomo in Milan. SH is part of our lives, enabling us to commute in the most efficient and fashionable way, and is part of our enjoyment in transforming every day-to-day journey in to a traffic-busting fun ride.”
- Giovanni Dovis, Lead Designer, Honda R&D Roma (HRE):
“To me, the SH125 represents a design that is confident in its clarity and restraint. The SH family has always been defined by its instantly recognisable proportions, the purity of a single, continuous line running from front to rear, and a deliberate avoidance of overdesign – values that give the scooter a timeless, functional elegance.”
-ENDS-
