Honda Navi review, road test

Throw a leg over the saddle and you'll realise that the riding-position geometry also remains the same as the Activa. But the sensation in the saddle is incredibly different; having a tank to hug with your legs just changes the whole experience. The confusing part is having foot-pegs under your feet instead of a footboard; so, a conscious effort may be required to avoid the fumbling involved while searching for a gear and brake foot lever. Brake levers remain on the handle much like conventional non-geared scooters. Squeeze those levers and the 130mm drum brakes at the front and rear do feel responsive but stopping power is mediocre. Hopefully, Honda decides to offer a disc brake option soon. What’s also rather surprising is the fact that the Navi does not even come with Honda’s Combi-Brake technology; that’s even available on the Activa. However, the grip levels on offer are confidence inspiring. So, braking with the motorcycle leaned over will not create any drama. Yes, you are likely to do that as the Navi infuses you with an air of playfulness. After a while, you’ll figure out how much fun it is locking up the rear tyre and sliding around a bit; unless you aren’t too keen on changing the rear tyre very often.

Once on the move, the Navi slowly discards its scooter-ish characteristics and starts to behave much more like a motorcycle. The 12 and 10-inch rims give the Navi a nimble and manoeuvrable feel straight off the line, but at the same time, the 1286mm wheelbase gives it a more planted feel even when cranked over. The suspension of the Navi feels rather stiff; you can expect to get a bit unsettled at lower speeds over bumpy sections. The seat also felt a bit firm, however, its long and slim design helped keep things comfortable. So, even though it feels quite flickable and fun to ride, this could result in a sore bottom after longer periods in the saddle. Out on the highway though, the stiffer setup imparts a more confident feel when buzzing along highway speeds. Just keep in mind, even though the Navi looks and feels somewhat like a motorcycle, it isn’t.