A couple of weeks ago, we compared the specifications of the new BS6-compliant Activa 125 and Fascino 125, which are two scooters that target a similar demographic. Now, Suzuki has brought in its bid for the win, with the updated Access 125. So we’ve added it to the mix to see which of these scooters has the most to offer on paper.
Powertrain
All three scooters produce output figures that are in the same ballpark, but the Access is the most powerful, with its 124cc fuel-injected engine producing a peak power output of 8.7hp at 6,750rpm. Its peak torque of 10Nm is marginally lower than the Activa’s 10.3Nm, which is the highest of the lot. The Yamaha Fascino, meanwhile, is powered by a new 125cc, fuel-injected, air-cooled engine that produces 8.2hp at 6,500rpm and 9.7Nm of torque at 5,000rpm. However, what helps the Yamaha is that, at 99kg, it weighs 5kg less than the Access and a whole 12kg less than the Activa 125. This means that its power-to-weight ratio of 82.82hp per tonne isn’t very far off from the 83.65hp per tonne of the Access and is significantly higher than the 74.77hp per tonne of the Activa 125.
That said, only a proper comparison will reveal which performs better out in the real world.
| Powertrain | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Activa 125 | Suzuki Access 125 | Yamaha Fascino 125 | |
| Engine | 124cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected | 124cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected | 125cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected |
| Power | 8.3hp at 6500rpm | 8.7hp at 6750rpm | 8.2hp at 6500rpm |
| Torque | 10.3Nm at 5000rpm | 10Nm at 5500rpm | 9.7Nm at 5000rpm |
Underpinnings
The Activa 125, Fascino and Access, all run a 12-inch wheel up front and a 10-incher at the rear. The tyres sizes, though, are slightly different. While the front tyre remains the same at 90/90, the Fascino gets a wider 110/90 section rear tyre, as compared to the 90/100 one on the Activa and Access. The scooters are also offered with the option of a front disc or drum brake, but a rear drum brake is standard on all three. The Fascino also has the longest wheelbase and this, coupled with the wider rear tyre, should also result in better high-speed stability.
As for suspension, a telescopic fork up front and a single shock absorber at the rear is common across the three models.
| Specifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Activa 125 | Suzuki Access 125 | Yamaha Fascino 125 | |
| Weight | 111kg | 104kg | 99kg |
| Seat height | 712mm | 773 mm | 780mm |
| Wheelbase | 1260mm | 1265mm | 1280mm |
| Brakes (f) | Drum / 190mm disc | Drum / disc | Drum / 190mm disc |
| Brakes (r) | 130mm drum | Drum | Drum |
| Suspension (f) | Telescopic fork | Telescopic fork | Telescopic fork |
| Suspension (r) | Monoshock | Monoshock | Monoshock |
| Tyres (f) | 90/90-12 | 90/90-12 | 90/90-12 |
| Tyres (r) | 90/100-10 | 90/100-10 | 110/90-10 |
| Fuel capacity | 5.3 litres | 5 litres | 5.2 litres |
Features
Along with the new BS6 fuel-injected motor, Honda has also added many features to the Activa 125. It gets a ‘noiseless’ starter system, an idle start-stop system, an external fuel-filler cap, a pass-light switch and a front glove box. Another noteworthy feature is the addition of a side-stand-down indicator with an engine inhibitor – this prevents the motor from starting while the side stand is down.
The addition of the fuel-injection system sees the introduction of an ECU into the scooter, which, in turn, gives access to more information about the bike. Honda has made use of this and added a segment-first real-time fuel-efficiency and distance-to-empty display to the instrument cluster.
The Yamaha and Suzuki’s features list is not as impressive. While the Fascino does get silent-start, start-stop, and a side-stand-down engine inhibitor, its instrument cluster is completely analogue and displays only the speed, odo, and fuel level. Its instrumentation also misses out on basic features like a trip gauge. The Access, meanwhile, gets a new easy-start system, a redesigned analogue instrument cluster with a digital fuel gauge, but doesn’t offer features like a side stand indicator or engine cut-off.
Summing it up
Prices for the Fascino 125 begin at Rs 66,430 for the standard, drum brake version, and go up to Rs 68,930 for the top-spec, disc-brake-equipped Deluxe version. The Access will set you back between Rs 64,800 for the base variant and Rs 69,500 for the top-spec Special Edition. That’s a fair bit less than the Rs 74,490 price tag of the top-spec Honda Activa 125. That said, the Activa does offer a much longer features list, as well as a larger service network.
What we can tell you now is that if the Honda Activa's longer features list does impress you, it's worth the extra cash it demands. However, the specifications suggest that the Access and Fascino will be the better performing scooters. We suggest you stay tuned to Autocar India for a proper on-road comparison, before making your choice.