Vroooooooooooooooommm. Review on Honda Activa

First of all, I would like to add the comment that Honda Activa doesnt come under ''hero motors'' ... I would like it if MouthShut gave Honda a Separate brand image, under the name HMSI (Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India).

Alright.. Ill come to the review now! Before I bought the Activa, I used to ride a puny little TVS moped, which had died down from desparation; from the pothole littered roads of Bangalore. So I decided its time to lay the TVS in peace. After a long dilemma to choose either Hero Honda Splendor or a Honda Activa (which was still new back then)... I finally decided to go in for the Japanese Honda! I had to wait for 6 months for the delivery... it was selling like HOT CAKES! Believe me...that was the best decision I took... and it was worth the wait!

Firstly, LOOKS...

This machine comes with decent styling and neat looks. Superbly designed crosscuts and cleverly placed air-vents make this a stunner to look at. Neat elegant curves make the Activa distinctly stylish. Infact, the best part I liked about it was the slim silencer, neatly tucked away under the body. It comes in a variety of colours, but I chose SILVER. The front looks very neat and elegant, without any unwanted 'extra' stuff jutting out! The headlight looks cool too! From the side, it looks damn sleek! Even from the back, it looks very symmetrical and ''neat''. In one word, I would say it looks ''neat''.

Second, Engine....

The activa comes with a 102 cc engine..which is simply awesome. The damn thing is so smooth that one barely notices that it is switched on, when idling. It delivers decent power and acceleration...the perfect combination for city rides. Some might complain that it doesnt have enough acceleration. This is partly true as they are comparing a 2-Stroke Scooter (Usually Kinetic Honda) with a 4-Stroke (Activa). It is basic auto-mechanics...4 stroke engines have a slightly lower acceleration than 2 stroke ones...So that controversy is laid to rest! The engine is unbelievably smooth. Infact, on my drive back home, from the showroom, I constantly was in doubt whether the thing was actually running or not!!! I have driven my Activa @ speeds of upto 75 km/hr... I guess it doesnt go faster than that...If it does....pl lemme know! :D . Even at this speed, I didnt find the engine vibrating ! Amazing I tell u! Well..mileage... gives me 45-48 kmpl..depending on how I drive ;-)

Third... Handling!

The Activa is definitely heavier than its previous competition... Kinetic Honda. It is also a wee bit higher than the KH, which is advantageous. Ride comfort is brilliant!!! It handles pretty well, once we realise its a wee bit heavy and drive accordingly. Even @ 75km/hr...it doesnt show even the slightest hint of wobbling or any 'un-steadiness'. I used to get frequent back-aches when I used to drive my dad's kinetic..but the Activa ride position is simply brilliant. One literally feels (s)he is floating in air, when cruising at a speed of 40-50 km/hr. The suspension is pretty decent....perfect for city riding conditions. Even in Bangalore's pothole - littered roads, the Activa sails smoothly without any complaints. Handling is tricky when taking tight turns or when driving on slick wet roads. Obviously, one has to drive with greater attention during rains!!! (comes without saying...doesnt it!?)

Fourth..Ride comfort....

As I have already mentioned, Its smooth sailing with Activa. There are absolutely NO vibrations during the drive. It handles very well and has a higher seating position. The seating position is simply brilliant I must say... (though I am emphasizing this point a bitt too much...)

Finally... The extra features..

All Activas come with a technology called Tuff up Tubes which allow the tubes to release a sealant liquid, if and when any sharp foreign object punctures it. It becomes necessary to regularly check the tyres for any object stuck in them..coz one doesnt know if there has been a puncture or not!!! Brilliant..isnt it? The odd puncture occurs only when a very big / large puncture has been made in the tube. I have had only ONE puncture so far in 2.5 years... after riding almost 30000 km!!!! This is indeed a boon ....esp on Bangalore's roads! Verry innovative!

It also comes up with a lift up cover called CLIC (convenient lift-up independent cover). This allows us to easily lift the engine casing (body) like the bonnet of a car, for maintenance...simply superb and innovative..yet again! The accessories include side step for ladies, a side stand, stepney(althought not required), tweeters....all round guard (so that u dont get that ugly dent on the beautifully curved body when someone bumps into u )...etc etc etc. The service is absolutely amazing. I would like to add that the service centre (Silicon Honda) has been the best service centre in India!

The popularity of this amazing scooter can be seen all over Bangalore! Easily, its one out of every five 2-wheelers on Bangalore's roads!

I would finally end by saying that the ACTIVA is a superb piece of engineering. I have totally fallen in love with it and I take it everywhere...even to the shop on the next road!!! Vroooooooooooooooooooooooooooom.........