Honda Activa 6G Road Test Review: Likes And Dislikes

Are a bunch of Activa 125-derived features enough to keep this scooter relevant in today’s competitive market?

The Honda Activa has existed for over two decades now, and is the only two-wheeler that managed to challenge the supremacy of the Hero Splendor. Honda revolutionised the scooter segment in our country with this product, thanks to its bulletproof reliability and a gender neutral design. However, the market has picked up pace since then, but is the Activa still relevant? We have thoroughly tested the scooter and here’s what we liked and disliked about the new Actia 6G:

Likes

Refinement

It's a no-brainer, but the refinement levels of the Honda Activa 6G is one of the highlights of its riding experience. The 109.51cc single-cylinder is super refined all through its rev range. In fact, even when you are maintaining speeds above 70kmph, it doesn’t feel stressed. It is only above 80kmph that you’ll feel a mild buzz on the floorboard, but then again how often would you be doing that?

Fuel Efficiency

The Honda Activa 6G’s refinement is complemented by its impressive fuel efficiency. The frugal engine makes almost 60kmpl in the city, and even while doing highway speeds, the economy doesn’t drop much.

Ride Quality

The Honda Activa 6G shares its chassis with the Honda Activa 125. This has resulted in the 110cc scooter getting a telescopic fork and a 12-inch front wheel for the first time in two decades. The upgraded front suspension absorbs bumps and undulations easily, and only the sharp bumps need to be looked out for.

Now, with the bigger 12-inch wheel at the front, the handling has improved considerably over the Honda Activa 5G. You have more confidence when cornering, and the scooter has no problem holding its line even when leaned at (relatively) extreme angles.

Design

Another advantage of sharing the chassis with the Activa 125 is that it gets a new design. Even though there’s considerable differencein the aesthetics, the Activa 6G retains its familiar and iconic shape. It looks proportionate and still looks elegant.

Features

To supplement the supreme ride quality and great refinement levels, the Japanese brand has added a bunch of convenience-focused features to the Activa 6G. For starters, it now gets an ACG motor for one-touch silent starts, a multifunction key slot with access to open the seat and the external fuel filler cap. Even though these are welcome changes, there are still a few things missing.

Dislikes

Lacks Features

While most scooters these days come with a semi-digital or a full-digital instrument console, however, the Honda Activa 6G comes with an analog unit. This is surprising considering the fact that the Activa 5G had a digital inset. The analog console isn’t capable of showing some basic data like time, fuel consumption or even a tripmeter. Meanwhile, its competition, the TVS Jupiter now even features Bluetooth connectivity.

Another grouse with the Honda Activa 6G is the lack of disc brake up front even as an option. The scooter also doesn’t get alloy wheels. This is disappointing considering the fact that the Japanese bikemaker has launched a bunch of special edition models of the popular commuter.

Pricing

Though the Honda Activa 6G is priced competitively with its rival, the TVS Jupiter, it has very less to offer compared to the TVS scooter. The lack of modern features, including alloy wheels make it hard to justify the premium. In fact, even 125cc scooters are priced quite close to the Honda Activa.

Verdict

The Activa moniker is the breadwinner for Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), so it is important for the brand to keep this scooter relevant in the market. Have they succeeded? To an extent, yes. You see, the Honda Activa 125-derived updates have given the 110cc scooter its much-needed upgrade. However, the competition is luring customers by bringing more features to its products.

So, should you buy the Honda Activa 6G? Definitely. If you are looking for a sturdy, reliable scooter that offers comfort, practicality and decent performance, the Activa 6G ticks all the boxes. But if you need something with a bit more jazz, the Jupiter is worth considering.