2013 Honda Activa Road Test Review: The Most Fuel Efficient Scooter in India

The pros: Massive looks and exhibits unisex character, ergonomically good and comfortable, refined engine and improved mileage and CBS effective braking.

The cons: Unstable at high speed. Suspension system, ride and handling are the areas where Honda need to work.

The crux: This scooter is one of the most durable two-wheelers available in India and now with its improved fuel economy that makes Activa a more value for money product.

Rating

With the end of the 20th century, the era of scooters seemed to be coming to an end, as bikes became the choice of India. But in 2001 a new manufacturer stepped into the Indian market with its first vehicle, which was actually a scooter that changed the fortunes of that company and the scooter segment on the whole. Yes, I am talking about the Honda Activa, an automatic scooter, which changed everything about scooters in India. Activa is the bread and butter product for Honda and the company has already sold millions of its units, and still counting.

Honda Activa full fills all commuting needs of an average Indian family, it suits every age group and its easy handling proves it handy to access the busy Indian streets. Its universal acceptance is the reason that even after 12 years the basic design of the scooter remains largely unchanged. But recently Honda gave a significant change to the scooter.

The new Activa now comes with the new HET (Honda Eco Technology) engine, which is claimed to return a mileage of 60kmpl. The earlier version of this scooter used to return 54kmpl of mileage, which means that there is an improvement of 6kmpl. That mileage figure makes this scooter even more desirable and when we recently got a chance to test ride the 2013 Honda Activa HET, I was curious in finding out the reality behind Honda's 60kmpl claim.

Styling:

The 2013 version of the scooter is all about the new HET technology and improved mileage; there is nothing new in terms of design and styling. Activa is already attractive and has a universal acceptance, so we weren't expecting any big update as such. The new Activa continues to feature its mature styling with almost no graphics. The front fascia has a bigger headlamp with integrated indicators that make it look simple alongside edgy apron.

Its mudguard is sleek and merges well with rest of the design. The side panels are simplistic too with no graphics apart from Activa sticker on it, though it looks good with scoops and a sharp crease throughout the panel. The rear also has a similar integrated indicator design, which looks massive and gives it a unisex character. However, there are few things, which now need to be upgraded like the old box shaped exhaust and the analog instrument cluster.

Switch Gear and Ergonomics:

Honda Activa uses very basic switch gear, comprising of light and ignition switch on right and horn, high/ low beam and indicator switch on left. Switch gear is easy to use and doesn’t take time getting used to it. The big analog instrument cluster comprises a speedometer, odometer and the fuel gauge.  The instrument cluster is easy to read, but we would prefer a digital one.

Apart from its basic switch gear and instrument cluster, Honda Activa comes with good ergonomics. The low but straight seating position suits both sexes and makes day to day commuting comfortable. The knee space is good and even tall people can find a lots of space for themselves. The storage space on a scooter is a very important aspect and Activa is good on that front.

For storage, there is a 18-litre underseat plus the optional front box that come in handy for storing things. For example, underseat storage space is good enough for a full face helmet, however the front space is only for hand bags. We also like the foot pags, which are easy to access and fits well in the body when not in use.

Engine and Transmission:

The only difference between the new and old Activa is its engine. On paper, the basic specifications remain the same such as power output and dimensions. With a 109cc 4 stroke air cooled engine on board, there are a couple of components that have been changed or improved which include things like a new spark plug and optimised inlet port to improve the combustion. It now uses lighter materials, a low tension piston ring and improved bearing oil seal and an offset crank to reduce the friction. Honda has also optimised the ratios and mechanicals of the V-matic drive.

These changes result into improved economy, however the power output figures remain the same at 9bhp @ 7500rpm and 8.77Nm @ 5500rpm. The ride quality is also the same though the engine feels smoother, thanks to the revised pulley converter ratio. To test its ride quality and fuel economy we rode it on highways and in city traffic.

The power delivery is quite linera but it pulls a bit late. However, after getting into action, it goes cleanly till the top-speed of 90kmph. Activa performs well in the traffic as well, however some time it feel sluggish in stop and go traffic. First we ride it on the highway, where we ride it on different speeds and when we calculate the mileage the results were pretty impressive the scooter returned a mileage of 62 kmpl.

On the way back to home I ride it through the walled city of Jaipur, where it returned 54kmpl, despite the fact that the roads are in pretty bad conditions now a days. All in all, this 109cc engine is one of the most refined engines available at the moment and it never fails to satisfy you, as it is reliable, durable and now the most fuel efficient too.
 
Ride and Handling:

Honda Activa is a family scooter and that is why the ride and handling has been kept very basic. The scooter is optimised to suit the day to day commuting and it performs exceptionally well in this particular task. It rides well on roads in the speed range of 20 to 60kmph, but when you ride it enthusiastically, it starts to become unstable.

Activa uses the 10-inch steel wheels with 90/100-10 53J MRF tubeless tyres, coupled with obsolete linked suspension up front and a stressed engine with a single shock absorber at rear. The small tyres and absence of telescopic suspension at front makes you feel bumps, and long rides on the bumpy roads can be hectic. When it comes to braking, the Activa uses 130mm drum brakes at both front and rear, backed by Honda's proven Combined Braking System (CBS). The braking is good enough and with the CBS you can halt the scooter more efficiently then what it used to be before. When it comes to ride and handling, there are better options available like the TVS Wego. So, this is the one field, where Honda need to work.

Verdict:

After riding the Honda Activa for some 250 kms, I realised that why this scooter is selling like hot cakes. This scooter is one of the most durable two-wheelers available in India and now with its improved fuel economy that makes Activa a more value for money product.