Mar 27, 2017 08:59 PM
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Brand: Honda
Model: Activa(1st Gen)
Make: 2006
Kms done: 78000(as of Mar 2017)
Ownership: single
Decision
For some time, my commute to office was public transport using 3 buses to reach destination of 15kms. So tiresome and time consuming, I started to hunt for a two-wheeler.
During that time, even without much reviews, I see the Honda Activa was the only two-wheeler being close to heart/ practicality for many people. I see the sales chart and the number growing. There were very little options of gearless-scooter in those days(for a 100cc). I see only TVS and Suzuki access. I did not have a test-ride from the dealer(Honda Activa). For the simple reason - one of my friend already had the scooter and so I did a small ride and was satisfied with the ride quality and comfort.
Why I choose Activa - rather than its competitors:
I see some reviews, of how good is its ride quality and comfort.
There were no much competitors in that 100cc range during the time of my purchase.
Also top selling scooter at that time.(It's still top selling scooter as of 2016 that's even after 10+ years!)
I had a test-ride and was satisfied.
Design language if not great, but ok for me when compared to other brand/model.(This is subjective - so no offence to other non-Honda Activa users)
A multi purpose scooter that can be used by both genders so I don't have to buy another one for my spouse.
Practicality - daily commute(office), school trips, shopping, etc.to mention here - it can take all those groceries either in front box or under the seat or even near the foot rest.
Can accommodate a full size helmet under the seat.(Still enough space to keep windcheater or rain coat)
I saw/heared some bad reviews of TVS Jupiter after sales service stories.(suzuki access not in my list - did not like the design)
My decision finally came in early 2006 and booked. The cost of scooter then(Apprx 45000Rs) and opted for a Grey colour. Delivery was in less than 30days.
Accessories:
Front and back guard(brought after 6months or so)
handle grip for pillion
foot-step(pillion rider)
seat cover
front box to keep items
handle grip cover's for both sides
Body cover(bought later - outside)
The Ride/Perfomance:
My daily commute then was apprx 30kms and weekends apprx 20kms. I am not a travel-freak! Since this was a new scooter and I want to test its capability. We(along with my friend) did a 360km round trip on highway to go to my friend's farm house outside of bangalore. The ride was in range 50-70km when in high way and non-highway it was in economy range 40-50km. I have to mention here that the ride was comfortable on plain roads(but not great on poth-hole roads and bumps). My friend who was on pillion did not find any pain during or after our short trip. The ride and stability/comfort was good even at 60-70kmph range. I restricted to ride less than 70kmph.
I was satisfied for choosing one of the right-scooter at that point of time. The scooter though weigh close to 110kgs, it is comfortable to handle for both genders(male or female). When it come's to pick-up she is bit lacking. I can feel it when I stop/go at the traffic signals.
The activa's accessories - the box in the front is a boon for family people. It can hold as much it can. Cover's the content from rain and sun not to leave alone - the dust too to some extent. Easy to operate. But only one has to compromise on the leg space, because it snatches away the more space that the leg can rest when there is no box. This box has accommodated the grocery items, books, rain coat etc. Whatever it can take it.
The pillion handle grip - Again a boon for the pillion rider. This is strong enough to give confidence for the pillion rider to hold on.
The front/back guard - Does it's job. Can protect small bumps into the scooter. Iam sure, we should not expect that a force crash will protect the body though!
The Care-Taker/Service:
I did follow the service chart for 1year regularly. After which I went for a paid service once and I see that the labour cost was close to 500Rs. This was little too high for me. Also by the time, there were more honda customers, so turn-around time, early morning drop vehicle at service point, not so impeccable service(like washing/cleaning of vehicle etc), the service personnel attitude, also the service center was 2.5kms away from my home. All these inched me to search a local mechanic near my home who can also do a better job. So I started hunting a local mechanic and I did find one. I found this guy to be a genuine mechanic. No false promises, no exaggeration, no dilly-dallying.(Above and all giving reasonable ideas that fit's my budget to keep my vehicle in good condition - which I found from him after few services I had done) From mid 2007-till date I regularly service with this guy. His service charge is nominal and charges exactly for the parts. During our usual conversation, when I was asking about the new-activa he did tell me, new activa is not same as old activa(read 1st gen), because you don't get economy figure in mileage. I don't know, anyway I am not sure, if I would go for next gen activa. But he still say - either activa or jupiter is the one I should go for!
Maintenance:
Tube: Changed thrice after band-aid patches of 2-3 times due to puncture. Once I was given a fake tube(a roadside-wala) and I have to then replace with original after 20 days or so.
Tyre: changed twice(front and back) due to wear and tear
Rim - one wheel due to rust inside as it was affecting the tube(apprx at 65000km or so)
Bearings - Front wheel changed twice
Belt Drive - new belt(old belt worn out) replaced for old belt
Fuel cap - Broken - the cap inside the fuel pipe - replaced
Battery - new for autostart(after 50000kms)
Tail-light glass - changed once due to accident(rear end collision by some non-sense guy)
Left indicator glass - changed once due to accident(due to rear end collision)
Break light - changed once because of fuse
Left handle grip - did come out 20% once when I was riding. Was fixed with adhesive(sometime during 60000th km). Its fine now.
Plastic cover surrounding headlight - changed. In the early days(when I bought it new), my neighbour kids were playing and marked their symbols(scratching), which left lot of marks. I was disappointed. Whenever I see her, it left me pain in my heart. So I replaced it immediately.(Later years - there were few scratches though - not the neighbour kids this time - but I left it that way!)
fuel: Normal fuel usage. Twice I used premium, but my service mechanic informed, normal fuel is enough. Sometimes used shell brand.
Horn - I added a dual horn sometime around 45000km or so. The original single horn was getting weaker enough by then.
Others: Regular service is done, like oil change, air filter clean-up etc. Those are not mentioned here.
Stock - Headlights(no change), indicator light(no change) - probably will change soon - because it lost its brightness effect.
Stock - cables(break, accelerator etc) No change in cables until now.
Dents - no dents till now though some scratches which I suppose cannot be avoided.
Stalled - not even once. I suppose the engine is a beauty! It does it's job even now, but with slight sluggish. Great at this long run too!
Above 50000km - I had a time-table given by my mechanic that, say every 2000km she needs to be taken care. I diligently follow the service to keep my companion in her full strength to serve me better.
Incidents/Accident:
Accidents(if any). When it was less than a year old of my purchase of her, there was one dumb fellow rammed his bike onto my scooter tail-light glass. The tail-light glass broke along with left indicator-glass. Note- the lights were intact. A scratch on the left side of the scooter. Well no road rage at that point of time, because I had a very important work and was rushing to complete, and I was also not a road-rage person. This incident(or should I say accident) triggered me to have a guard to protect my companion. In the following weekend, I bought the front and back guard. On 2 occasions the scooter was saved of scratches due to its fall from standing(parked with the middle stand) position. Once when I parked behind a four wheeler - the driver of the vehicle reversed and hit my vehcile and it fell-down. He did not even bother to look at it but drove away.(Which I came to know through a shop-keeper who informed me, when I was back to take the scooter)
The Bad/Con: I see that the scooter tyre(CEAT) did not do well. On these many years of running 76500kms I had fallen thrice due to skidding. Each time I had minor injuries. Iam not a performance rider, but at speeds less than 10kmph during turning I had a fall. I always ride on the economy range(the green mark on the odometer 40-50kmph). Means 99% of my ride during these many years were on economy range. So only 1% of my ride was on above 50kmph range.
The regular maintenance(apprx every 2000kms) will steal your wallet by apprx 800-1000Rs and if any part changes that's etc. This is not through the authorized service center. Iam sure they would charge more.
Brake's are little weak, is what I experience. I may need to go for disc brake in my next purchase.
Current condition: For few years now, she run's like a dog(if not like a horse) for apprx 50kms daily. Her stamina is steady for the simple reason - I maintain the service cycle. She is regularly washed/cleaned almost every day. Due to the age(wear and tear) and occasional dumb-heads(in public parking space) scratch my vehicle - which I notice when I take her away from the parking lot. But it still at its new. The seat cover is torn out(stitches came out- but that's just the cover, so I leave it as it is! The front facia(the pastics that cover the odometer) is little faded. Oh! Why I say little faded - when I compare her with other vehicles(the same 1st gen Activa above 40000km), their vehicles are more than 80% faded. I make sure I park my vehicle under the shade from direct sunlight. Even if I find a proper parking position 100m away, I still do it.(A lesson I learnt from my father - who is very meticulous in maintaining his two-wheeler during my school days!). My mechanic himself was suprised to see the plastics not faded much even at these many kms run. He asked me if I changed the part! The headlights(both high and low-beam) has lost its sheen. Does not do its job. I am not sure if I can replace with a halogen or someother option into it. I remember my mechanic did tell me it's above 1000Rs or so. Stability at high-speeds - I don't do that. As informed I always run on economy range. I also see that, it refuses to cross 60kmph range(which I occasionally do), because I see the engine growl and I pull down knowing its' age taking it's toll. The pickup at it's old stance, not great enough to do as a horse! At this point of time, I think of 125cc or 150cc is what I should have. I very rarely use the kick-start. Probably very very few times in these many years. My auto-start work's most of the time. When it does not work, I know it's time for fluid fill-up. I have not felt or seen any rattle. When it's nearing the service cycle I see the brakes do not bite as expected.
I was getting apprx 40-45km/l until I ran it through for apprx 50000km. And now I can say, it gives apprx 35km/l. As expected due to age.
Final verdict:
With over 25+yrs of riding gearless-scooter I should I say, the gearless-scooter I own(honda-activa for 10+years) did its job well to my satisfaction. The maintenance, incidents/accidents are all part of any vehicle life history for some if not for all of them. But one point to note is - I suppose with regular maintenance any vehicle will do, what its suppose to do. I hope, I may still ride and enjoy it for few more years to come.
Next purchase: Even though iam satisfied with her for so long, I may probably not go for next gen activa for as a new purchase. I contemplate looking out for other options(now there are more in the 2-wheeler market to compare than, when I purchased then!) to choose one. Iam not a fan of HET, 3G,4G - these terminologies used by 2nd, 3rd or 4th gen Honda Activa's now. I see some two-wheelers offer body-balance and some other features. A full electric option is also on the cards! Its too early to decide on the brand/model for my next purchase in the garage.
