*the* kinetic honda. Review on Kinetic Honda DX

Hmmm... interesting. in about 9 years, I have owned two kinetic honda vehicles, and the second vehicle is still with me.

the first - it clocked around 47,500 km in just over 3 years, and I disposed of it as I was looking out for a manual transmission vehicle - bought the lml vespa select (but that's another story). three years into using the vespa, I wanted to get back to the good old trusty kinetic, and bought the second vehicle - identical to the first, except for year of manufacture.

both vehicles came with excellent world-class components - failure rate is very minimal, despite the clutch and variomatic transmission almost always overused. a major advantage is that you do not need to fiddle around with gears on a two-wheeler - driving is extremely effortless.

the one single disadvantage I see is that of its low chassis height - makes driving on speed bumps very 'gnashy'.

this is one scooter that needs almost no maintenance - just stick to the published service schedule, and you're set for years.

driving - you've got to be very careful - the only interface between man and machine is the throttle and needs to be very carefully nurtured. at 20kmph, it shifts gears (you feel the engine noise difference) and if you're doing all your driving at this speed, your economy goes for a toss.

i haven't had any problems with mileage - the first scooter gave me about 52kmpl city / 57kmpl highway; the second is about 48kmpl / 55.

a little problem, though - kinetic no longer has their technical tie-up with honda (and honda has anyway gotten into india in a big way with the activa / today), and all kh vehicles manufactured after 1998 do not carry the original honda japan stuff - everything is indigenous. these guys have changed the silencer design, the vehicle's a lot lighter, and it somehow just doesn't feel the same.

would not recommend it now, though - refer last paragraph.

imho.