Honda Navi review, road test

At first glance, you are more likely to think of it as a motorcycle, not a scooter. The beauty of the Navi is that Honda has taken a rather humdrum concept and mashed it into a sparkling new experience that slots into the most basic of price categories. The Navi displays all the tell-tale signs of being a motorcycle. There are telescopic forks, chromed upright handlebars, a nice sculpted tank, a long and narrow saddle and side panels swooping to the tail. The tail-light has been borrowed from Honda’s CBF Stunner. But as you approach the Navi, you’ll soon notice its diminutive proportions and awkward stance give it a rather comical appeal. This sort of motorcycle was first envisioned by Honda in the 1960s and was called the "Monkey" back then. The Navi though, uses the Activa as its base for design. The seat height is the same as the Activa and Honda claims the handlebars are actually a bit higher. The new underbone chassis also gives the Navi just a bit more ground clearance and a slightly longer wheelbase. Now couple this with a kerb weight that’s 7kg lighter than the Activa and it seems like the perfect recipe for fun.

Honda has ensured that most of the design elements on the Navi retain a youthful appeal. The headlight looks solid and borrows its outer contours from that of the Grom. The fuel tank manages to hold a measly 3.8 litres but has been given rather muscular contours. The tank continues to flow into the side panels, which stretch all the way to the tail. But from the saddle, it looks like Honda has borrowed the concept of the central plastic tank pad from the Hornet; which is no bad thing as an idea. Except that the plastic quality, especially the lockable flap for the fuel tank, feels rather flimsy and non-durable. The paint on the plastic panels doesn’t seem as lustrous either. The speedometer console looks dated and lacklustre; the absence of a fuel gauge is unfathomable. And while the switches work well, they lack a premium feel. Surprisingly, the Navi doesn’t offer a combi-lock, with the handle lock mechanism tucked away at the bottom of the steering head. And don’t expect the same levels of storage as on a scooter; you won’t be able to hang bags in the front. Under-seat storage is on par with a motorcycle, which is almost non-existent.