Unlisted Pros & Cons. Review on Kinetic Nova 135

Kinetic Nova 135 – An Excellent Scooter

I bought a Kinetic Nova 135 in September 2004. I have listed the major pros and cons which I find with the bike.

Pros:

1. Excellent pickup: No doubt that the 8.5 bhp/135cc engine offers better pickup than any other scooter in India.

2. Excellent Brakes (Kinetic is known for it’s brakes): After trying out about 4 Dios and 2 Activas, I realised the Dio/Activa don’t brake as well as the Nova

1. Excellent pillion rider comfort: I sit pillion on a Honda Dio regularly. I can’t sit for more than 10 minutes as the pillion footrest is high and is quite uncomfortable. I am 6 ft. tall. When riding pillion, my leg prevents the driver from turning the handlebar (The elbow of the driver hits the leg of the pillion) In the Nova, there are flip-open foot rests on both sides of the vehicle, which are relatively low and comfortable.

   
   




2. Huge under seat storage, which is illuminated by 2 white LEDs

   
   




3. The glove box in the Nova is designed in such a way that it doesn’t take up much leg room. In the Dio/Activa, adding a glove box takes away legroom. Often, I see Activa/Dio riders who are forced to “split” their legs apart to ride the vehicle (because of the glove box). Another very interesting thing in the Activa/Dio is that the key for the glove box is different from the ignition key. In the Nova, a single key ignites as well as opens the glove box/under seat storage

   
   




4. Extremely easy kick-start. The kick-start lever is positioned approximately near the centre of the vehicle. Due to this, one can hold the handlebar while kicking the lever. Another important point to be noted is that the kick lever in the Nova moves backward when kicked (Which is the natural direction of motion of our knees/calf). The kick lever of the Dio/Activa is positioned near the rear end of the vehicle. You can’t hold the handlebar for support while kicking. The kick lever in the Dio/Activa moves forward and it is extremely difficult to kick-start them.

   
   




5. Easy-to-use main stand: The main stand in the Nova is so easily usable. Just hold the handlebar for support and press the stand. That’s it! In the Dio/Activa, many times, you must pull the vehicle from behind to get the put the vehicle in main stand

   
   




6. Headlight better than Dio/Activa. The Nova’s headlight is more powerful than those of the Dio/Activa. Also, the headlight of the Nova is mounted on the handlebar. When you move the handlebar to turn, the light falling on the road also shifts accordingly, thus making turning easy. The Dio’s headlight is mounted on the body. In the turnings, the light falls on the road only after the entire body of the Dio is turned. This poses a problem

   
   

Added on 30 June 2005:

1. You can fit a spare tire on the rear end of the Nova. You cannot fit a spare tire on the rear side of a Dio. About Activa, I'm not sure...

Cons:

1. The under seat storage smells of petrol, if not properly maintained.

   
   




2. The seat is slightly higher than the Dio/Activa. It is difficult for short people to reach the ground with their legs, while they are seated (I am 6 ft. tall, so I face no problem)

   
   

So go ahead, become the proud owner of an AAHO !

Regards,

TD5M@PP3R (Arun.M)

Email address: arun_aaho@rediffmail.com