Jul 04, 2006 01:36 PM
25733 Views
My recommendation for a two-wheeler is the Honda Activa for its practical and conservative styling, ease of use, better ride quality and the excellent 102cc engine. The Activa is also built to be a "family" two-wheeler and features higher load carrying capacity than the other two scooterettes.
The Honda Activa also offers the kick- and self-start options and variomatic transmission. The Activa's 102cc, four-stroke engine is more powerful and pumps out about 7 bhp of peak power at 7,000 rpm. The chassis is high rigidity under bone type and the body panels are moulded steel sheet. The Activa's suspension is spring-loaded hydraulic damper both in the front and the rear. These are features that will go on to help the scooterette retain long-term value and also aid its excellent on-road performance.
The Activa also incorporates features that better rider comfort and includes the puncture-resistant "tuff-up" tyre and tube combination, the low riding height and the low noise 4-cycle Honda engine. The Activa is also clearly a notch higher in terms of fit and finish quality compared to the smaller scooterettes such as the Kinetic Zing 80 and the TVS Scooty Pep (though the Scooty Pep has done quite a bit of catching up with the Activa).
The Kinetic Zing 80 is as such not a very serious contender in the midst of the Honda scooterette and even the Scooty Pep. So, unless you are on a shoestring budget and are not too worried by the vehicle's potential resale value, the Zing 80 would not be the right choice.
The Honda Activa costs about Rs 40,000 on road and offers a mileage number of about 45 km per litre in the long run. In comparison, the TVS Scooty Pep will cost about Rs 34,500, on road and may be an option worth considering especially if you are looking for a more stylish two-wheeler or if the scooterette will also be used by a younger rider in your family.
Another suggestion: Don't go for the ACTIVA's sister scooterette - THE DIO - its seats are inclined at such an angle that your boyfriend will slide into your waist without blinking an eyelid at your next hard brake. Good for the boys with s_xy babes (my boyfriend would loveto take me for a ride on this Dio braking at every junction as I slide into his arms again and again!), but......
ACTIVA AT A GLANCE
Honda Technology
The Activa sports a super silent, low vibration engine which provides fatigue free riding even after long periods of extended use.
Tuffup Tube
The Tuffup tube prevents the sudden loss of air pressure by sealing holes or cuts made in the tube thus reducing the need for a stepney.
Easier Maintenance
The CLIC mechanism opens up the engine and is adopted for the first time in India and makes routine servicing faster and easier.
THUS, the Honda Activa is the undisputed leader of the variomatic scooter category thanks to a host of new features that they have offered.
