2023 Honda Wave Alpha: First impression

First introduced in 2015, the Honda Wave Alpha is one of the highly-popular underbone scooters on sale in the Malaysian market. The credit for its popularity goes to its lightweight structure and sleek design making it a convenient commuter for busy roads and short commutes. Adding to that is the affordable price tag of the scooter. Well, the good news here is that Honda has given the major updates to the Wave Alpha for 2023, making it a more lucrative option in the segment.

Let's check out the first impression of the new, tiny two-wheeler in town -

2023 Honda Wave Alpha price

Boon Siew Honda Malaysia, the official distributor of Honda bikes in Malaysia, offers the 2023 Honda Wave Alpha at RM 5,179 (excluding road tax, insurance, and registration). The price includes a two-year/20,000 km (whichever comes earlier) manufacturer’s warranty.

2023 Honda Wave Alpha design 

In terms of aesthetics, the front fascia of the scooter continues to be the same with a pilot light and the headlight placed into the handlebars. Next to the headlights lie the same indicators. However, if we look at the rear profile, we can see some freshness in the form of a new tail light design, which offers the bike a sportier look. 

The under-storage area of the Honda Wave Alpha now measures 7.3 litres, which is almost twice bigger as the outgoing model. According to Honda, the space is adequate enough to carry a full-size helmet and other daily essentials.

Also new for 2023 is a new instrument cluster that displays all the information related to riding in a neat manner along with the FI indicator and a gear position indicator.

Other than that, the ergonomically-designed Honda scooter continues to feature a sporty exhaust system, neat curves and lines, and a sporty rear grab rail. The latter comes wrapped in rubber offering the pillion rider enhanced comfort.

2023 Honda Wave Alpha colours

New colour options for the 2023 Honda Wave Alpha are - Nightfall Blue, Vivacity Red, and Clipper Yellow. 

2023 Honda Wave Alpha dimensions

Length x Width x Height	1937 mm x 703 mm x 1086 mm
Seat height	768 mm
Fuel tank	4.1-litre (0.4-litre more than the predecessor)
Under-seat storage area	7.3-litres
Weight	98 kg
Wheels	17-inch cast alloy wheels wrapped in 70/90 front and 80/90 rear tyres

2023 Honda Wave Alpha engine specifications

What comes as the biggest change is the upgraded engine setup. The new Wave Alpha is powered by a re-tuned 109.2 cc single-cylinder SOHC mill which not only complies with the Euro4 emission standard but also gets the “Programmed Fuel Injection” technology. The said engine delivers a maximum power of 8.7 hp at 7,500 rpm and a peak torque of 8.67 Nm at 5,500 rpm. The power is sent to the ground via a four-speed gearbox paired with a centrifugal clutch.

When it comes to fuel efficiency, Honda claims the new Wave Alpha offers the best fuel consumption in its class with more than 70 kilometres run on one litre of fuel (1.41 litres per 100 km), as per the World Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC) standards. Compared to the 2019 model, it is increased by 12.3 kmpl.

2023 Honda Wave Alpha suspensions & braking

As for the suspension, the upgraded Honda Wave Alpha uses the same telescopic forks on the front and preload-adjustable twin shock absorbers on the rear. This setup ensures a comfortable ride while curbing all the jolts and jerks of the road.

The braking duties, on the contrary, are handled by a single hydraulic disc on the front axle and a mechanical drum brake on the rear.

Overall, the combination of style, practicality, and amazing mileage makes the new Wave Alpha a go-to choice for many new and experienced Malaysian riders.

To check out the 2023 Honda Wave Alpha in person, interested folks can visit their nearest authorised Honda dealerships where the upgraded scooter is now available for viewing and sale.

Also read: Honda RS-X updated for the model year 2023