INTRODUCTION
Great Performance, Great Style & Look, Great Pickup, Great mileage, Great Storage, Great Service & so many Greats...!!! But WILL Nova135 remain Great in the LONG RUN ?. I have selected seven Nova135 (NV1, NV2,..., NV7) & This Test Report based on only those seven Novas. I think it will be enough to make right choice for gearless scooter, specially to overcome the Nova135 & Activa confusion.
All the seven Nova135 (NV1, NV2,..., NV7) belongs to different owners from different places & dealers of West Bengal.
NV 1
Completed 11156 km, Done 5 Service, mileage 45 to 52 kmpl.
CDI unit changed at 2840 km otherwise no problems except regular maintenance.
NV 2
Completed 9758 km, Done 4 Service, mileage 47 to 51 kmpl.
No Problems except regular maintenance.
NV 3
Completed 8925 km, Done 4 Service, mileage 48 to 50 kmpl.
Fuse blown twice, Defective Fuel Cock changed.
NV 4
Completed 6578 km, Done 3 Service, mileage 45 to 49 kmpl.
Two bulbs fused & changed, Carburetor Adjusted twice additional to regular maintenance.
NV 5
Completed 4580 km, Done 2 Service, mileage 44 to 48 kmpl.
No Problems except regular maintenance
NV 6
Completed 1904 km, Done 1 Service, mileage 42 to 46 kmpl.
No Problems except regular maintenance
NV 7
Completed 1221 km, Done 1 Service, mileage 40 to 42 kmpl.
Initial production had some problems with the CDI unit. The entire owner NV1 to NV6 are very much satisfied with their nova with very few complains on electrical units. Head light is not so powerful as compare to this 135cc scooter.
How Is Nova135 ?
- - - The Good - - -
> Great Power+Pickup+Look+Storage Space+Good mileage+Good Dealers Service Maintenance free.
> A World Class Power to Weight unit at 69.72 ps/ton with Bendex Clutch applied to ensure & maintain the fuel efficiency & machine performance at present & for the long run.
> Power & mileage is perfectly matched in Nova135 which is manufactured after oct 2004.
> Smooth free flow riding.
- - - The Bad - - -
> Engine Noise, Hot Under seat Storage Space, Unstable over 75 km speed, Low ground clearance (100mm), No side Protection. Weak Head Light.Front Suspension.
AAHO Utilities
(Advanced Acceleration & Horrible Output !)
Mobile Charging Point ::Very Innovative & modern but battery drains very quickly, Need more powerful battery & adopter.
mileage Expert ::Thank God ! A BUZZER is provided to stopped the BEEP sound, Just remember that U have to drive between 25 to 45 speed to get the maximum mileage.
Under Seat Light ::Good idea but light focus should be slightly down for better dark view.
Ladies Foot Rest ::Small & fixed, should be foldable. Good thing is that two pillion can set their foot very comfortably.
Puncture Resistant Tyre ::Good but this the present standard, Kinetic can't claim credit for this, unless, it is tube less.
TIPS
> Follow all the Points mention in your manual.
> Tune your NOVA135 @40 kmpl mileage for the first 1000 km. This will be good for the future performance & NEVER RUN NOVA135 ABOVE 45 KM SPEED FOR THE FIRST 1000 km; OR U MAY FIND GRADUALLY ''DECREASING mileage'' IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
> Change engine oil in every 1400-1600 km.
> Can go for new fitment ( OSRAM 35/35W HALOGEN) to improve Head Light Power.
> Keep Tyres Pressure always (front/rear) : 21/30.
> Give your machine a five min. rest after 1 hr. continuous drive / 50 km at a time.
> With careful driving, after three service u should get mileage 45-52 kmpl (city), 51-56 kmpl (high road). If not, contact your dealers.
> Buy Nova which is manufactured after oct 2004 to overcome the CDI problems.
> Never use self start in the morning (this will save your battery).
> Check & Charge your battery once in a month.
> Driving in the rain not perfect for this Scooter.
> Ensure that the CDI is made of Kinetic while u purchase Nova135.
> While u take a test drive, keep the speed @ 20 km, hold the handle with one hand & watch for the balance of the Scooter.
> If your Nova135 is not Tune properly, u will not get the best of it.
> Two Looking Glass can be unlike by many but this two glasses will protect the two side of your Nova135.
MILEAGE TEST
[ Calculated using 100ml Petrol, Payload 126 kg. Tyre Pressure 21/33. Test after Three Service on NV2. On Surface Dry]
> speed less than 10 km. Run 3.71 km i.e. mileage 37.1 kmpl.
> speed 10 to 20 km. Run 3.97 km i.e. mileage 39.7 kmpl.
> speed 15 to 25 km. Run 4.21 km i.e. mileage 42.1 kmpl.
> speed 20 to 30 km. Run 4.39 km i.e. mileage 43.9 kmpl.
> speed 25 to 35 km. Run 5.67 km i.e. mileage 56.7 kmpl.
> speed 30 to 40 km. Run 6.25 km i.e. mileage 62.5 kmpl.
> speed 40 to 50 km. Run 5.12 km i.e. mileage 51.2 kmpl.
> speed 45 to 55 km. Run 4.76 km i.e. mileage 47.6 kmpl.
> speed 60 to 70 km. Run 4.07 km i.e. mileage 40.7 kmpl.
> More than 70 km. Run 3.56 km i.e. mileage 35.6 kmpl.
So, it is clear that most mileage friendly speed is between 30 to 40 km & Nova135 is not made for the speed breakers. If U want speed more than 50 km, then it is better to go for any Motorcycle.
FAQs
Why Honda Activa see more in the road than NOVA135 ?
Activa is almost three years old model & has the Brand Name. We Indians has a typical Psycho on '' Brand Name '' than performance. AAHO did not projected to the mass & the AAHO advertisement stopped within a month. Activa is Rs 1000/- less than Nova135. From the last two years, most Honda dealers are cheating the Indians in the name of a world class brand but the TRUTH has unfolded, Activas are now getting gradually decreasing mileage (even astonishing 25 kmpl !!!).
Why Nova 135 engine is so Noisy?
I don't think so, after all 135cc engine should make a noise, Noise is a concern when U run it above 75 km speed.
What kind of Petrol should I use?
Manual suggest at least octane 87 petrol, U can use up to 91 octane petrol for better mileage & performance.
VERDICT
All the owners of Nova ( NV1 ... NV7 ) are very much satisfied (with minor problems) with their scooter performance & service of their respective kinetic dealers. About the mileage, at least they don't LIE like Honda. Please DON'T GO FOR BRAND NAME, just go through the reviews of Honda Activa, Your confusion will gone.
If U want Pickup Power, Gearless Comfort, Drive Within 50 km speed & ready to spend Rs.100/- more (compare to any 100cc motorcycle) monthly for Petrol, then I think, NOVA135 is the '' BEST JUSTIFIED CHOICE''.
If u r still confuse about Nova135 or still have question, please feel free to write/request.<skdmld@rediffmail.com>
At last, I would like to thank all the nova owners (NV1 to NV6) for their help, support & specially thanks to the two Kinetic Boys' for their technical help, otherwise this test report & review couldn't be possible.
NOTE :As more than 30 update is not permited, so I have to create this new ID to update this review.
Bye for now.
11.08.2005
