Honda Activa 125 Test Ride Review

• Jul 12, 2014
• |   Comments

Honda Activa has relished the taste of success for so many years in India, the brand itself become so popular that Honda forgot to update it's flagship scooter brand up-till now when the Indian Auto sector is flourishing at the never before pace, Honda had to update its Activa to keep up the pace and what a way to update it, the new Activa 125.

The new Activa looks very promising lets check it out whether Honda has done the much needed job or not.

Styling:

The new Activa looks very smart and fresh, although the design seems to be inspired by Honda Aviator from the front, the front chrome nose with integrated blinkers are prominent. The rear end of the Activa 125 is very similar to the old Activa with clear glass indicators, the new grab rail is massive and its silver color adds to the overall look of the scooter. Instrument Cluster and Switch Gears:

The new Activa 125 has all new instrument console with digital odometer. The console is pretty simple and easy to read, displaying almost all the important information, the fuel gauge, trip meter and the odometer are built-in digital. The chrome or silver factor also visible at the dash board in the form of silver color striping bearing the logo of Honda. The switch gears are taken directly from the old Activa and are doing their duty well, the plastic quality is also good but not to the topnotch. Ergonomics:

The height of the Activa 125 which I was riding is marginally increased due to the 12 inches front alloy wheel deployed to carry the 190mm front disc brake. I am 5 feet and 10 inches tall and my legs were accommodating quite well, thanks to the flat board and the contoured front panel of the Activa 125. The seat is broad and plush in nature but overall comfortable, however, how comfortable the seat is during the long journey that we will tell you when we do our long term review of Activa 125. There is ample of space under the seat, you can easyly fit a full face helmet into it. The height at which the handlebar is placed is perfect but had the handlebar is a little wider it would have been better. Performance and Gear Box:

The Activa 125 is equipped with new 125cc 4-stroke single cylinder engine, which is very torquey in nature and the power felt evenly distributed at all rev ranges. The initial pickup which was lagging in the 110cc Activa can be now enjoyed in Activa 125, now you can do the overtaking maneuver with utmost confidence at any speed. The engine seems more refined and also frugal in nature thanks to the HET technology of Honda. Riding Dynamics:

The new Activa 125 is more confident on road then ever, the front telescopic suspensions are very helpful and adds to the comfort while riding on bad roads, the suspensions are good and soaking all the pot holes with ease, what surprises me is the re-tuned rear suspension, which is now acting at par with the front telescopic suspension setup. The scooter I rode was the top end model featuring with the front disc brake, Honda has used the "Nissin" brand of disc brake, which gives a good bite and gives more confidence too while braking, however what Honda claims the "Combi Brake System" in my scooter I failed to experience any such thing, this may be because of the disc brake version which I used. The Activa 125 is featured with new MRF Zapper Tubeless tyres. Both front and rear suspensions setup, good brakes and the good quality of tyres give the extra bit in comfort and control, making the new Activa 125 a fun to ride scooter. Verdict:

Overall its a good package in 125cc auto-gear scooter segment. Pricing seems to be on a little higher side as compare to its competition but again the after sale service and the resale value of Honda justifies it all.


Photographs by Faraz