Honda Activa 5G vs Honda Activa 125: Spec Comparison

Let’s see what Honda offers for the bigger Activa versus the smaller one

The Honda Activa single handedly popularised the scooter market in India. Its consistently high sales is a true testament to this fact, but this was primarily in the 110cc segment. Honda wanted to compete in the 125cc segment as well, and hence the Activa 125. The Japanese bikemaker launched the 2018 model in July, and here’s how it stacks up against the Activa 5G.

Design & Features:

Both the Activa 5G and the Activa 125 have a sober design, and is one of the reasons why they are sought-after by matured buyers. The latest generation models of both the scooters come with an LED headlamp. However, the tail light and the indicators are of bulb type only.

The Activa 125 has a rather fat chrome garnishing on the apron while the chrome on the Activa 5G is much more subtle. The exhaust features a chrome cover for the 125 which the 5G lacks. Apart from the wider bodywork, the Activa 125 also has a bigger grab rail than the one in the 5G. Both the scooters have metal body.

Both the scooters feature analogue instrument cluster with a digital inset. However, this combo is available only in the DLX variant of the Activa 5G whereas it is standard for the 125 across all the variants. The combo cluster comes with an Eco Speed Indicator which lets you know how aggressively or efficiently you’re riding. They both come with a service due indicator as well.

There’s a 4-in-1 seat opening lock switch in both the scooters but the fuel filler cap is under the seat only. They also get an optional underseat USB charging port.

Powertrain:

Both the scooters’ engines are properly refined in city speeds. Thanks to the bigger motor, the Activa 125 is marginally more powerful and torquey. It also fares relatively better at high speeds than the 5G.

In our tests, the Activa 5G returned 58.1kmpl in city and 55kmpl on the highway. The Activa 125 on the other hand has a claimed efficiency figure of 60kmpl. Expect the real world efficiency to be around 50kmpl. At a claimed top speed of 85kmph, the Activa 125 is 2kmph faster than the 5G.

Underpinnings & Dimensions:

The Activa 125 has a relatively superior ride quality thanks to the telescopic front forks as opposed to the dated bottom link unit in the 5G. It also rolls on bigger front wheel, and gets an optional front disc as well, which the Activa 5G doesn’t have, even as an option.

Combi Brake System is standard for both the scooters. This system automatically distributes some of the braking force to the front when the rear lever is pulled. Interestingly, the Activa 125 weighs a kilo less than the 5G, despite having a bigger engine.

Both the scooters feature tubeless tyres which can handle punctures much better than tubed ones.

Pricing & Rivals:

The Activa 5G starts from Rs 53,565 for the STD variant and the top-end DLX version costs Rs 55,430. The Activa 125 on the other hand is priced at Rs 59,621 for the drum brake, steel wheel version; Rs 61,558 for the drum brake, alloy wheels variant, and Rs 64,007 for the front disc, alloy wheels model.

When it comes to competitors, the Activa 5G locks horns with the TVS Jupiter (Rs 51,163) and Yamaha Alpha (Rs 51,872). The 5G’s bigger sibling goes head to head with Suzuki Access 125 (Rs 55,459), which currently rules the segment.

It also competes with the TVS NTorq which is in fact Rs 4,000 cheaper than the top-end version of the Activa 125, despite having a lot more features and better-specced underpinnings. All prices ex-showroom, Delhi.