Honda Activa

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd (HMSI) is known for its pathbreaking technology. Whatever product it starts producing, becomes the idle for the industry and customers. In the year 2000, Honda stepped into the scooter market with its flagship product, Honda Activa. Honda Activa is the first scooter introduced in India by any company. Right after the launch, customer's response was unexpected. A little changes made after its launch. But in 2009, the flagship model was re-launched with some modifications. Currently, two models of the vehicle are available- Honda Activa Standard and Honda Activa Deluxe. The price tag of these models are Rs 40,060 and Rs 41,164 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The scooter is powered by 4 stroke, single cylinder, air cooled, OHC engine with the displacement of 109cc. The mileage figures of the Honda Activa is more impressive now as it gives around 52 kmpl in city. The scooter is very popular among men and women. Honda Activa became popular due to its light weight, low height, ample storage capacity, load carrying capacity and automatic start option. Honda Activa Full Review

Honda is regarded a complete family two-wheeler. Apart from this, the scooter is best suited for all generations. From a college going student to older persons can drive it with ease and confidence. Now the scooter is loaded with 109cc engine which develops a maximum power of 8 bhp at 7500 rpm and churns 0.9 kg-m at 5500 rpm. Honda used a number of innovative technology in the product. These include tuff-up tube, CLIC mechanism, upgraded engine and so on. The new Honda Activa Deluxe boasts combi brakes which promises shorter braking distance. Tuff-up tyres do away stepney as it reduce the chances of puncture up to 70 per cent. CLIC mechanism helps to repair the vehicle faster and easier, this the class first technology. Honda Activa is available in Standard and Deluxe variant.

Honda Activa Models

Honda Activa Standard- This variant doesn't have combi brakes. This is powered by 102cc engine which develops less power and torque than Deluxe version. Honda Activa Deluxe- The Honda Activa Deluxe is powered by 109cc engine and the maximum power and torque figures are 8.0 bhp and 9 Nm respectively. Combi brakes make it a safer device.

Mileage/Average/ Fuel Economy

The mileage figures of the Honda Activa is competitive. Honda does good job to increase its mileage by 15 per cent. Now the New Honda Activa gives around 52kmpl of fuel economy. This is the claimed mileage by company but on practical ground, there is different story. Users reported 45 kmpl in city area and around 50 kmpl on highways. The fuel tank capacity of Activa Standard is 5.3 liters and 6 litres petrol tank is attached in Deluxe variant.

Colours

Honda Activa comes in stunning colours. The colours are wild purple metallic, black, candid lucid red, force silver metallic, Pearl sunbeam white and geny grey metallic. You would not see body colour on rear view mirrors and rear grab bars. Front fairing and body panels are painted in body colour. Body panels comes with ABS plastic panels.

Acceleration and Pick up

New Honda Activa is having more powerful engine and can generates more power and torque. The peak speed of the machine is 80 kmph.

Appearance

The best gearless scooter in India is Honda Activa. There are robust sales figures and customer feedback behind the fact. It is not only comfortable, light weighted, rider friendly but also stylish in looks. The Activa is a combination of bike and regular scooter. The difference between bike and scooter is storage space and gearless facility. And Honda Activa wins the race. As far as appearance is concerned, the new Activa comes with major changes from front to end. Front face of the machine is revamped and thus comes with a new skin. The doom is new and sporty. Headlamps are fitted in mask with turn indicators. The headlamp comes in rectangular size. The big mask of the scooter looks like a brave king's face. Rear view mirrors, not in body colour, are mounted on mask. The front face has stunning curves and flowing lines.
The instrument panel of the scooter houses speedometer, in a big shape, fuel gauge, low oil and low fuel indicators. Turn indicators and high beam indicator is also there. The console has black back ground.
Honda is used to paste minimum graphics on vehicles. This is also reflected in Honda Activa as only Activa label and Honda sticker is pasted at front and side body panels. As a result, scooter's clear finish and design dominate the appearance. Body colour is mainly used at front fairing, mudguard and side body panels. Interestingly, rear grab bars and turn indicators come in silver and white colour respectively in each body colour. The body parts are in metal which is claimed to be durable on Indian roads.
The USP of gearless scooter's is storage space that gives it upper hand. In Honda Activa, storage space is given at two sides-first under handlebars and second under seat. Both the storage spaces are wide and can keep a lot of office and general goods. Under seat storage space can be used to put your helmet, lunch box and bottles as its full storage capacity is 18 litres. For the rest of the items, you can use inner box under handlebars. Moreover, the legspace can be used to carry bags and tins. Young ones are seen to be standing at the legroom. A hanger is also fixed under the rider's seat. Rear grab rail bars and rear view mirrors are not painted in body colour. This time rear garb rails come uplifted.
Honda Activa is the most comfortable scooter too. The seating arrangement is superb. Rider and pillion rider can sit with ease and no pain will be felt even after a long drive. Footpegs are attached for pillion. At the rear part, turn indicators and brake light dominate it. A arrow shape rear fender looks sporty.

Comfort

Honda Activa can be called 'comfort scooter-Honda Activa'. This tag line proves its worth with a lot of features which add to the comfort. Tuff-up tube, Storage Space, seat arrangement and CLIC mechanism are among these features. Tuff-up tube do away the stepney in scooters due to its innovative puncture resistance technology. The tuff-up tube technology saves the tyre from being puncture and tube as well. It also makes puncture with its liquid already present in tube layers. Maintenance is very easier in Honda Activa as convenient Lift Up Independent Cover (CLIC) mechanism is loaded in the machine. One can easily lift up the cover under seat and repair the malfunction. As described earlier in the review, the scooter has ample storage space in it. Self start also helps, especially, ladies and older ones as they need not to use physical force to get it started. Honda Deluxe comes equipped with key shutter.

Dimensions

The overall length, height and width of the Honda Activa Standard is 1765mm, 1130mm and 715mm respectively. Saddle height is 760mm. On the other hand Deluxe variant is a compact one. The overall length, height and width of the Honda Activa Deluxe is 1761mm, 1147mm and 710mm respectively. The ground clearance is same, 145mm, in both models. The chassis is also same that is tubular under bone.

Engine Capacity and Performance

There are two models of Honda Activa in market now- Honda Activa Standard and Honda Activa Deluxe. The former is powered by a 102cc engine while the letter sports improved 4 stroke, single cylinder, air cooled, OHC power mill with the displacement of 109cc. This refreshed power mill develops peak power of 8 bhp at 7500 rpm and generates 0.9 kg-m at 5500 rpm. On the other hand, Hona Activa Standard's engine develops 7.0 bhp of peak power and 7.85 Nm of peak torque. Both the models of Honda has v-matic 4-speed transmission.
The Honda Activa Standard comes with ABS plastic panels while Deluxe version has metal panel. There is slight difference in weight between the scooters. There is an advantage of the weight. It helps the rider when cross winds come. It doesn't shake in any force of wind and be stable. The scooter comes with kick and self start options. Due to self start option, it is easy to ride for young riders and older people. This is also one of the reasons which make it a big hit initially.

Wheels and tyres

Honda Activa boasts pretty good tyres. The specifications of new Honda Activa are 90/100-10-53J with alloy wheels. The base model is also equipped with alloy wheels. Tuff-up tube is a must in Honda's two-wheelers that ensure lesser puncture.
Tuff-up tubes are double layer tubes which is having fluid in between. This fluid makes up the hole off the puncture. The wheelbase of Honda Activa is 1238mm. No doubt, 1238mm wheelbase is desirable in this scooterette. The more the size of wheelbase the more the safety. Large wheelbase ensure better grip on road and stability.

Suspension

Suspensions used in Honda Acitva are same in both the variants. The front tyre houses bottom link with spring loaded hydraulic damper while rear tyre boasts unit link with spring loaded hydraulic damper. These standard shock absorbers promise jerk and fatigue free riding.

Handling and Control

Standard braking system is used in both the variants of Honda Activa. Drum brakes are fitted for both at each end. The diameter is 130mm for both the brakes.
But new Honda Activa has an added feature that is combi brakes that ensure shorter braking distance. It comes in act when rear brake is activated. In other words, it applies front braking force when rear one is activated. Wheelbase of Honda Activa is 1238mm that is pretty good for the machine.

Honda Activa Pros

Honda Activa is the flagship model of the company and generates unexpected success. It has the best looking and style. Great value for money and durable machine. Mileage is increased in the new Honda Activa. Comfortable for ladies and gents.

Honda Activa Cons

Honda Activa's drum brakes do not impress at all as lacks required force. At hard braking, an unpleasant noise comes that irritates the rider.
Collapse