Second thoughts. Review on Hero Honda Pleasure

Well, when I first wrote this review, I said "not recommended". And of course, people get upset if you don't recommend what they just purchased. But in light of what is available, there isn't a lot of big, 'different' choices in the market. So if someone is looking for a 100cc scooter, then this will be OK. Although the design is pretty boring with hardly any useful, new features.

For example, the scooter could use a lockable storage unit under the handlebars. How about a mobile phone charger. even as an option? A more comfortable, softer seat(I was forced to add padding after I purchased mine). A louder horn? And more importantly, why can't we get bigger wheels and tyres on these scooters for a better, safer ride?(Aviator went with a larger front tyre. but not a rear!?). For convenience, an extended luggage carrier in the rear? And for safety, why can't we get a headlight that doesn't practically go dead when the engine RPMs go down when decreasing speed down hills or on turns? And a'running light' to use in low light situations instead of using the full head beam(sorry, I don't know what you call that). Or how about a light in the storage area like the Nova?

My Pleasure now has 22, 000 kms. The big drawback is the horrible fuel economy which tends to average between 30 and 35 kmpl. That's really not acceptable.

It is definitely a low-speed city bike and is unfairly marketed just for women. Luckily the dealer had one silver colour model, otherwise as a guy, I would have felt a bit foolish riding a purple or pink 2-wheeler, or whatever pastels they offer.

The vehicle feels lightweight, because, well, it is. The tyres feel unstable even when driving over a raised paint line on the road.(I have since changed the tyres which feel more stable).

The footboard is very narrow, only enough room for your feet. If you want to carry a shopping bag, or small box of groceries, there is no room to put your feet, except for the heel of my shoe, and then my feet stick out into the road like a duck.

I am now experiencing some rear end noise, and the self-start oftentimes seems to have difficulty turning-over the engine.

On the upside, the scooter is very light weight, quick, and responsive. So it has good maneverability in heavy, city traffic.

For about the same price, however, the Honda Dio has a better flash factor. But still no features like I listed above. It is still subject to India's obsession with annual sticker changes rather than making any real substantial mechanical or feature changes that would benefit the consumer. But basically the Dio/Pleasure are very similar vehicles using traded technology between Hero Honda and Honda, even dating back to the Honda Marvel which, in India, was then marketed by Kinetic. It has the same engine, same transmission, same silencer, same shocks, same tyres, same switches. you get the drill. It's really unforunate that one company markets like this. And the Activa is basically the same thing as a Dio except for a different body shell. So here we have three vehicles made by Hero Honda that, basically, are not much different from one another. in real substance.

Except for Kinetic, with their new Syms Flyte 125, it is unfortunate that a 125 cc is not offered, which is another tragic marketing mistake with the Aviator, and Honda/Hero Honda could only come up with another, their fourth, 100 cc scooter? Couldn't the market use a little more powerful automatic scooter for carrying passengers, goods, or for just driving up hills?

If the auto-gear is what you want, then my recommendation still is no. Go for the flashier Dio instead. for about the same price. Or if you want a scooter with a little more guts, the Taiwan-engineered Flyte 125 would be a better option.