Honda Activa 125 long term review

When turning into corners or negotiating your way through traffic, the 12-inch alloy front wheel makes life a lot easier, apart from adding to the scooter's up-market style. The upright riding position is comfortable. What does help here is a large, wide and roomy saddle which not only provides good space for the rider but for pillion riders as well. Good leg room up front ensures steering movement is unhampered by your knees and the footboard is spacious enough to accommodate larger feet also. Although few might choose an automatic scooter for highway hauls, the Activa 125 does the job quite well, providing a stress free, gear and clutch less experience as I found out on a quick shuttle trip from Pune to the Autocar India head office, in Mumbai. 

The Activa 125’s ride quality is plush, and a well set up suspension ensures the scooter doesn't bottom out even when riding over broken roads, so frequently encountered in India. This new Honda makes quite a predictable and forgiving scooter. Likewise, the Honda Activa 125's braking abilities deserve a pat on the back too. Its Combined Braking System (CBS) works brilliantly, ensuring a precise, quick and reassuring halt each time you pull in at the levers. Also, the individually operated front disc brake responds with feisty bite when called upon.

An automatic scooter like the Honda Activa 125 offers so much more flexibility compared to geared motorbikes in the city, thanks to its twist-and-go operation. Ample storage room on its flat floorboard means you can even carry your daily groceries or a hand bag without any hassle. And the under-seat storage bay allows you to fit in a small helmet too.

The Activa 125 has successfully made my life easier in these past few months, making travelling in the city quite effortless and comfortable. Thanks to the new HET technology that aims to increase efficiency and enhance power, the new Activa 125 feels peppier yet dishes out just as good mileage figures as the conventional 109.2cc Activa, of around an impressive overall 45kpl. 

Living with the Honda Activa 125 over the past few months has us convinced this is a perfect example of a good, upmarket automatic scooter that makes good sense if looking for urban commuting, which is simple, reliable and thoroughly hassle free.  

Odometer 

1,400km

Price 

Rs 60,588 (ex-showroom, Pune)

Faults 

None

Maintenance costs 

None

Rayomand Darius