2019 Honda Activa 125 BS6 Review

The brand 'Activa' is a force to reckon with in the Indian two-wheeler market. Recently, the Activa again became the best-selling two-wheeler in India, overtaking the Hero Splendor and that speaks volumes about how important it is as a brand for Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India. So it was only fitting that an 'Activa' to be the first Honda scooter to get a BS6 compliant engine and even though it is the Activa 125, it is a step towards the big BS6 transition. Apart from the engine, the 2019 Honda Activa 125 BS6 benefits from added features and significant updates to the design. Here's our review.

Also Read: 2019 Honda Activa 125 BS6  Launched In India

Updated Design

7qnulk9k

(The new Activa 125 BS6 gets redesigned front apron with different LED daytime running lights)

The new BS6 Activa 125 gets a new front apron and a new LED daytime running light along with a new position lamp. The tail lamp at the rear has been redesigned too and there are chrome bits all around which give a premium feel to the scooter. The overall fit and finish go up by a couple of notches but could have been ever better considering the price hike that the scooter is getting.

BS6 Compliance

b2fn14sg

(The engine is fuel-injected, BS6 compliant and uses new internal components as well)

The biggest update of course is to the engine, which is now fuel-injected and conforms to Bharat Stage 6 emission norms. The internal components have been re-worked and some lightweight parts have been used as well along with low-friction parts. The other big change is that the bore x stroke ratio has changed from 52.4 mm x 57.9 mm to 50 mm x 63.1 mm. With the bore reduced and the stroke increased significantly, the idea was always to increase efficiency and Honda does claim that the fuel efficiency on the Activa 125 BS6 goes up by 13 per cent. The power output drops marginally from 8.52 bhp to 8.18 bhp at 6,500 rpm and even the peak torque output sees a slight decrease from 10.54 Nm to 10.3 Nm at 5,000 rpm. The Activa 125 was never built for performance and HMSI reiterates that focus was always on comfort and efficiency.

Also Read: Honda Activa 125 BS6; Variants Explained

New Features

4iaql8j8

(The new Activa 125 BS6 gets a bunch of new and added features as well)

We had the top-spec 'Deluxe' variant with us and it comes loaded with new features. The first of them is the AC generator starter motor, which allows the scooter to wake up smooth and quiet, making it feel more refined. This same technology also helps the idling stop system to work. Yes, the engine shuts off when idling for more than 5 seconds, thereby helping in increasing fuel efficiency. Then there is an external fuel filler cap which can be opened from the multi-function key slot, requiring you to never move from the seat when filling up. Honda has thoughtfully provided a pocket on the left side of the inside apron but that feels quite flimsy. The Activa 125 BS6 also gets a side-stand engine inhibitor system which means that if you deploy the side stand, the engine will shut off. The part digital part analogue instrument console is updated and now shows average efficiency and distance to empty as well. In a nutshell, the new Activa 125 offers more than just a new engine.

Performance

bohklcrg

(The performance sees a marginal improvement and the engine feels much more refined)

The first thing that strikes you as you thumb the starter is the refinement. It is a definite upgrade from the previous model and the difference in refinement is more than discernible. Twist the throttle and there is a sense of urgency with crisper acceleration on offer. The soundtrack is pleasing to the ears and till about 65-70 kmph, the engine feels smooth and offers enough juice. Prod it to go faster and you will realise that the engine feels strained after 70 kmph but as far as an urban commute is concerned, you will be satisfied with the performance. The scooter is happy cruising at 60-70 kmph it has a top speed of 90 kmph. But you will need a long stretch of open tarmac to reach 90 kmph. The braking performance is decent and with Honda's combi-braking system with equaliser, panic braking situations are

Also Ride: Honda Activa 125 BS6 Deliveries Begin

Ride & Handling

evlnm12

(The suspension is well-sprung and the scooter feels nimble when filtering through traffic)

There is little difference in terms of ride and handling as the chassis and the cycle parts stay the same. The seat and the seating position is comfortable and scooter is nimble and one could easily filter through traffic when astride. The suspension is sprung well and the Activa 125 BS6 will not feel out of place on broken tarmac. Although, we would have liked thicker rubber wrapped around the 12-inch wheel up front and the 10-inch rear wheel! But that would have meant sacrificing some amount of efficiency.

Pricing & Competition

ndtrq1gs

(The prices for the Activa 125 BS6 start at Rs. 67,490 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

There are three variants of the Honda Activa 125 BS6 on sale which are the Standard, Alloy and the Deluxe variants. They are priced at Rs. 67,490, Rs. 70,990 and Rs. 74,990 respectively. Yes, there is a significant increase in the prices, about Rs. 6,000 for the base model and Rs. 9,000 for the top model. The standard and the alloy model miss out on the idling stop system. Although the side stand engine inhibitor system is optional on the standard model and it also misses out on the digital bit of the instrument console. The rivals for the Activa 125 will be the Suzuki Access 125 and the TVS NTorq 125.

Verdict

The 2019 Honda Activa 125 BS6 makes sense for someone who is looking for a no-frills scooter which is comfortable and efficient. The performance does improve but won't set your heart racing. There are a tonne of features available and Honda also offers peace of mind with a special 6-year warranty package (3 years standard + 3 years optional extended warranty) on BS6 Activa 125. The prices do see a significant hike but it was expected and to be fair, the Activa 125 does offer more in terms of comfort and convenience.

Photography: Azam Siddiqui



from CarandBike - Reviews

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Harley-Davidson Streetfighter Spotted In Flesh For The First Time

Image
Harley-Davidson unveiled a range of new motorcycles last year that included an adventure tourer, streetfighter and Custom range. This, along with the LiveWire electric motorcycle defines the new-age 21st century offerings from the manufacturer as it taps into newer markets and caters to an evolving customer base. Now, giving a glimpse of the new models out in the open, the new Harley-Davidson Streetfighter was spotted in the prototype version at what seems to be a trade show in the US, giving a good glimpse at motorcycle looks like in flesh. While board says 'Styling Prototype', the production-spec version of the Streetfighter is likely to stay identical to the model showcased here. In addition to the Streetfighter, the Pan America was also showcased at the same event. The production spec versions of both bikes could be unveiled at EICMA this year. Also Read: Harley-Davidson Livewire To Be Unveiled In India In August The Harley-Davidson Streetfighter is a completely new mot
Read more

Brixton 1200 To Rival Triumph Bonneville T120

Image
A 1200 cc modern classic with similar design lines as Triumph's iconic Bonneville series, has reportedly been cleared for production. The bike was showcased as a concept at last year's EICMA motorcycle show, and from the looks of it, this is a model developed in China with the Triumph Bonneville T120 in its sights. The Brixton brand though is part of Austria's KSR Group, which imports bikes from several Chinese manufacturers, including CF Moto. And while the new Bonneville rival will be manufactured in China, the design and engineering has been created at KSR's design centre in Krups, Austria. Also Read: Triumph Bonnville T120 First Ride Review The Brixton 1200 cc motorcycle has not been named yet, or a launch timeline announced So far, the company has not committed to a launch date yet, but says that it will eventually make it to production. And from the looks of it, that may well be sometime later this year, maybe even at the EICMA 2020 show in Milan, Italy, in
Read more

Zongshen Cyclone RX6 Based On Norton 650 Nearing Completion

Image
While there still doesn't seem to be a buyer for iconic British brand Norton Motorcycles which went into administration in January this year, the firm's 650 cc parallel-twin seems to be finding life in China. While Norton apparently sold off the engine rights of its 961 engine to China's Jinglang just before the brand went into administration, the deal for the 650 cc engine was finalized way back in 2017 with Chinese giant Zongshen. The 650 cc parallel-twin engine was due to be used in Norton's Atlas and Superlight models, but now it looks like that engine platform will make its debut in a Zongshen motorcycle, called the Cyclone R6. Also Read: How Much Is Norton Motorcycles Worth Now? One of the patent designs shows the Cyclone RX6 with full touring accessories and luggage Two prototypes fitted with the 650 cc parallel-twin engine were shown in China late last year, on the Zongshen Cyclone RX6 adventure bike and the RX6 sport tourer. Both bikes used Zongshen-made
Read more