Firstly, I’d like to mention that this is NOT a COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW after owning the vehicle. This is just my TEST DRIVE EXPERIENCE where I drove the vehicle for about 3kms or so on a moderate traffic.
After going through various websites for 2 days I’ve decided to choose from:
1.Honda active-I.
2.Suzuki Swish.
3.Hero Maestro .
So, I visited, Suzuki Swish 125 first!
Test Ride Experience:
SUZUKI Swish: I drove for about 3 Kms. Tested the throttle(5/5), DESIGN/Style(3/5), Braking(4.5/5), Comfort(Suspension)(4.5/5) etc.
Mileage: Don’t know. DEALER, salesman, showroom mechanic STRONGLY assured 52 Kmpl on average.
Justification for my ratings:
Throttle: With a very little movement on throttle, I was able to feel a SUDDEN PULL in acceleration. Then I thought to test the full throttle VERY SUDDENLY. The vehicle zoomed within no time. Since there was more traffic at one point I slowed down releasing the throttle. I fell in love with its performance wrt throttle.
Braking: At one point when I approached a heavy crowd, I applied brakes releasing the full throttle, vehicle managed to stop comfortably BUT NOT VERY comfortably as there was little sand accumulated on the road so, 4.5/5.
Comfort(Suspension): I purposely, drove in bumps as I want to make sure how the vehicle manages in bumps. The handle was very stable and I could not much feel any shock on my back even when I drove in bumps so, (4.5/5).
DESIGN/Style: This is the area it is lagging behind. The design is monotonous/traditional design. It’s ALMOST same as Suzuki access, Honda active or any other previous scooters of same class released during last 5 yrs or so with same outlook and same speedometer, Fuel gauge, NO EXTRA STORAGE compartment below handle BUT definitely bigger room than Hero Maestro under seat so, (3/5).
Mileage: As said, this is a comprehensive review I’d no chance of gauging the mileage in short time and stretch too. DEALER, salesman, showroom mechanic(Met all three separately) STRONGLY assured 52 on average. Most reviews on websites say the same 50+. So, need to believe!
Andhra Pradesh PRICE: 60000/-(On Road+ Registration), Fittings EXTRA
Next visited, Hero Maestro… First they said there is NO Vehicle for test ride and I was about to walk away then they said they will arrange one and gave me one BRAND NEW WHITE MAESTRO by filling ½ liter of petrol.
HERO Maestro:
Since both the show rooms are very near to each I drove for about Same 3 Kms stretch. Tested the throttle(3.5/5), DESIGN/Style(5/5), Braking(3/5), Comfort(Suspension)(3/5) etc. Mileage: Don’t know. Salesman, Showroom Mechanic STRONGLY assured 42-43 on average.
DESIGN/Style: This is the area it beats every vehicle in its class. The design is AWESOME! Especially Blue colored one. The Speedometer, Fuel gauge, etc are meticulously designed; it has a front compartment below handle for Extra storage besides under seat storage so, (5/5). I could say anyone cannot complain wrt design that’s for sure!
Throttle: With a very little movement on throttle, I was NOT able to feel any SUDDEN PULL as I felt in Suzuki Swish. Then I thought to test the full throttle VERY SUDDENLY. The vehicle DID NOT zoom took very long time to achieve acceleration. I was ALMOST Disappointed! So, (3.5/5).
Braking: At one point an auto suddenly moved towards a junction I was approaching and I thought I was about to thrash it. I missed narrowly; I was riding with pillion(mechanic). If I was riding alone, I’d have trashed it due to less weight. I suppose that braking system is poor so, 3/5. I raised the point when I returned to salesman, he said that it was a BRAND NEW Vehicle and they have NOT fixed it properly and showed me other BRAND NEW vehicles by tightening the screws on front wheel.
Comfort(Suspension): I purposely, drove in bumps as I want to make sure how the vehicle manages in bumps. The handle was NOT stable and I could feel shocks and was worried to see the speedometer unit shaking. I think, in due course of time, since the unit is completely fiber, it may not withstand. The vehicle should be ridden with extreme care. CANNOT withstand ROUGH and TOUGH USE(3/5).
Mileage: As said, this is a comprehensive review I’d no chance of gauging the mileage in short time and stretch too. Salesman STRONGLY assured 42 to 43 on average. Most reviews on websites say the same approx. 40. So, need to believe!
When I said about Suzuki Swish’s 52 Kmpl, the salesman tried to downplay saying how can, a 125cc swish gives 52 Kmpl if his own 110cc Hero Maestro gives 42 – 43 Kmpl? I can attribute this to promote his brand Hero Maestro.
Andhra Pradesh PRICE: 57500/-(On Road)+750(Registration)+ 3000(Fittings)
Honda active-I:
It seemed to me same SIZE as Scooty Pep. Design was BAD. Price wise it’s on par with Suzuki Swish and Hero Maestro but NOT WORTH the money in any angle! NO GOOD colors too. Any way for namesake I’ve asked for a test drive the dealer said they don’t have one and said I need to wait for any costumer to approach them for servicing, where they could request from customer. What a practical joke! Anyway, I’m already dissatisfied with its price and appearance. So, with NO qualms I left the place!
Final Touch:
Suzuki Swish: After I left the vehicle near parking area, Mechanic took over the vehicle and drove the vehicle almost 60 degrees up to the display area VERY COMFORTABLY. I was shocked for the power performance in contrast, after I left the HERO Maestro at parking area, Mechanic took over the vehicle and drove the vehicle almost or less than 30 degrees up to the display area with EXTREME DISCOMFORT!
Verdict:
POWER+Mileage= SUZUKI Swish
STYLE+ Little Compromise in Mileage= HERO Maestro.
Now it’s up to you to decide!
