Apr 19, 2009 07:21 PM
35993 Views
(Updated Oct 08, 2010 07:53 AM)
My Honda Activa, 100 cc, model SCV100CM is 3.5 year old. It cost me Rs. 33, 200(Ex. Show room price)+ 4, 150(12.5% tax)+ 3, 421(Life time Regn)+ 887(insurance)+ 100(hypothecation charges)+2, 505(Accessories). The total amount was Rs. 44, 246. I replaced the battery at 2 yrs and the rear tire in the 3rd year. It has clocked only 15, 000 Kms so far. It has never given any major problem so far.
This is an Auto geared scooter. There is no clutch to be operated or gears to be shifted. The left lever on handlebar controls rear brake while the right one controls the front brake. Both brakes are internal expanding drum brakes. There is a brake lock(parking brake) on the rear brake lever to lock the rear wheel, which prevents vehicle from rolling on inclined surfaces, especially when resting on the side stand.
Activa is provided with an ignition-cum-steering lock, a self-starter, fuel gauge, Catalytic converter at the exhaust and a small kick-start pedal, in case it does not start on battery. It is advisable to kick-start and use choke while starting in the mornings. Surprisingly even after adhering to this routine, my battery gave up in 2 yrs. A different school of thought say that batteries last longer if they are discharged and charged properly, so now I use the self-starter at all times.
Front suspension is twin while rear is single. The front brake does not give much confidence. You can feel a bit of nose diving tendency when you brake hard.
The Activa is mostly used by my wife to commute to work, visit her friends and do errands for the house. My daughter and son also use it regularly. I borrow it at times when I am lazy to ride my Pulsar or when I have to go shopping. Women just love it for its wide comfortable seat, self start and auto gear feature.
The seat is hinged at the front and opens upward at the rear. It is lockable using the ignition key. There is a little storage space under the seat, which can hold a mini helmet but not a large one. This space gets heated quite a bit if the vehicle is driven for long. If you were planning to carry ice cream, it would melt and flow by the time you reach home. There is some free space up front where you plant your legs, to hang shopping bags from the luggage hook. Since there is no foot brake pedal, this space can be used without hindrance. This is one big advantage of the Activa over a bike. If you plan to carry stuff like gas cylinders then the optional front storage box should not be fitted. Anyway I would never recommend this nor will I recommend carrying more than the legal number of passengers.
Headlight is not so bright even though it uses a 35 W lamp. Poor optics could be a likely reason. Activa is not provided with a parking lamp. However the turn indicators and stop light of 21 Watts are powerful and clearly visible, even in daytime.
Spare tire is optional. I did not opt for it as it would spoil the look and add extra weight. The manufacturer does not recommend it as the tire is supposed to withstand and self-repair minor punctures.
I had to buy necessary accessories like Foot rests, Side stand, Turn indicator beeper, Front storage box, Floor mat, Front and back guards and Rear number plate. I could not understand why even floor mat and rear number plate are sold as accessories. There is no separate front number plate. I stuck the registration number sticker directly on the front faring. Fortunately the twin rear view mirrors are not sold as accessories
Helmet holders are provided on both sides of the seat near the hinge. This helps to secure helmet in combination with seat lock.
Activa’s tires originally come with puncture resistant inner tubes. Don’t confuse it with puncture resisting, tubeless tires. The tube is double layered and contains a self-sealing gel, which seals the tube in event of minor punctures, like the ones caused by nails. In the 3rd year the rear tire got punctured beyond repair and both the tube and tire set was changed with a standard variety.
Engine compartment is accessible by opening 3 bolts located under the seat, inside the storage compartment and then tilting the front upwards. The rear of the engine cover pivots on an internal hinge. There is a stay rod to keep the metal hood in lifted position. The body is fully sheet metal, including front mudguard.
A small tool kit is provided which is stored in a small cavity under the seat. The kit contains spanners for spark plug and wheel removal, a screwdriver, adjustable pliers, etc.
Petrol tank can be filled only by lifting seat. I get a mileage of approximately 40 Kms to a litre.
Specification:
Overall length: 1768 mm
Overall width: 710 mm
Overall height=1120 mm
Wheelbase: 1235 mm
Dry wt of Scooter=107 kg
Engine oil volume= 0.7L to 0.8 L
Fuel tank cap=6.0 L
Transmission oil volume= 0.12 L
Passenger cap=172 kgs
Engine bore x stroke: 50 x 52 mm
Engine Compression ratio= 9.0:1
Spark plug= P-RZ9HC(CHAMPION), Air Gap= .7 TO .8 mm
Idling Speed= 1700 RPM ±100
Front / Rear Tyre size= 90/100-10 53J
Battery= 1 2V-5AH
Alternator cap= 0.11kw @ 5000 rpm
Headlight= 12V-35/35W