Mar 18, 2011 11:01 AM
10774 Views
(Updated Mar 18, 2011 11:20 AM)
I sold off my 2 year old Access and bought an Activa just couple of days back. Last month I sold off my Avenger and bought Honda Unicorn Dazzler. You can read my review at:
https://mouthshut.com/review/Honda-CB-Unicorn-Dazzler-qsmpompuln
The main reason I sold off my Access because of the height issue. My wife(even me) found the Access a bit too tall for us. And secondly after seeing their Quality ads, I wanted to experience the Honda quality. Let me tell you, I feel I like an absolute idiot now. After experiencing Dazzler quality, I still had 1month to decide whether to go for Activa or stick to my Access. However, I thought I might be the unlucky one(with my Dazzler) and the Activa might be different. But I was wrong.
Firstly, there was this wobbling issue. My immediate experience after taking the delivery was, what the hell is this. The scooter was not at all stable. Next day I took it to the service station and they fixed the problem. However, the handlebar appeared to be tight in the right side and some squeaking sound used to come(when turning to right side) after riding for some time. I again took it to the service station and they said everything is fine and it is because of the combi brakes. When I insisted on the squeaking sound, he told that there is two years warranty and the sound should only increase over the time, after which they'll find the issue.
Secondly, the suspension is horrible. I knew earlier that Access has far better suspension than Activa but still I took the chance thinking that the new vehicle will be good. The ride on an Access is any time better than Activa.
Thirdly, there are vibrations all over. It appears there are empty utensils hidden all over inside the vehicle. The service guy told that vibrations are from extra fittings and due to the metal body, the vibrations are prominent. The combi brakes also produce lot of rattling sound which he tried to rectify by applying grease all over, but in vain.
The instrument panel also does not have a clean fit with the body and there are gaps which are easily visible at night when headlights are switched on(you can see the light coming from the gaps). I wonder if it'll cause damage to the fittings inside when water will seep through the gaps.
The boot of the Access is also pretty large compared to the Activa.
Overall, the quality appears pathetic and it seems the Honda people just mass produce vehicles without doing any quality checks. Any problems, if present and if they seem to bother the customer, will be taken care in the first service.
On the positive side, the pickup is better than Access(but not the pulling). Brakes are also good. There's tuff-up tube in the rear. Seat is softer than Access(it better be or with the kind of suspension you have, you wouldn't dare to ride it on a hard seat). Mileage, I'm not sure as I have run only 100Kms. I'm just keeping my finger crossed as it better be over 55 or else really wouldn't have any substantial justification for buying this scooter(Access would give me 45) and would feel like an idiot every time I ride it.
The choke also works pretty well. In the Access, it never used to start with the choke on(when the engine was on and if choke was pulled, the engine used to stop). It was very strange and others also seem to complain about it, when I shared this with other people at the service station.
Moral of the story: Unless the shortcomings of your existing vehicle are absolutely unbearable, don't switch your vehicle. You'll most likely have to live with another set of problems. In an effort to solve the height issue, I now have to live with a bumpy ride and non-stop orchestra(with light effects in the night). Anyway, I have learn't my lesson. And I think this moral applies to other areas of one's life too. Be satisfied and happy with what you have.
