There she was... a gleaming new golden one... standing proud and dignified right in the middle, with a stylish headset tilted towards one side and with spectators crowding all around her gaping at her beauty.
No, I’m not talking about any new actress or model... I’m just describing my first encounter with her... that day, the very first time I took notice of her...
For a moment, I went down my memory lane, about 10 years ago, when I started my college as an ambitious teenager....
My father had bought me a Kinetic Honda DX, purchased way back in 1994 for a little over 40k. She has been my trusted and solid companion for about 9 years during my college and then my early working days. I have put her to so much of ’’test’’ that she would probably complain if she could talk! I have zoomed and vrrrooommed in her over the hazar pot holes, manholes and speed breakers in Chennai roads. But, not once has she ever broken down! I mean not once has she stopped without any reason (Except for a few times when the tank was completely dry and the petrol indicator did not work!)
ok ok, now back to reality...
I decided to get a new vehicle after realizing that my darling kinetic was getting old and we needed to retire her. For months together, I was wondering whether to invest in a Honda Activa, Scooty Pep or stay loyal to Kinetic with Kinetic Nova. Lot of my friends advised me to go for the product by Honda sheerly due to its performance. So we went down to Kun Honda Motors at Adyar and took proper notice of the Honda Activa for the first time.
Warning Note: In this review, you would find me invariably comparing it to Kinetic Honda more often than not!
The Looks
The looks were good... almost at par with KH. The vehicle was sturdy, well balanced, well covered (Scooty Pep’s wheels are exposed!!) and was very well designed overall. The handle bar was just the right size, with the indicators and the speedometer in panel well spaced out. The headlight and the indicator give a good appearance from the front. Comparing the handle bar with KH, I feel this is a little wider, that sometimes I have to shift my hands between pressing the horn and braking (left) or switching on headlights and accelerating (right).
The vehicle’s aero-dynamic body is visible from the sides. There is sufficient leg room between the front and the seats that a tall person can ride very comfortably. The height of the vehicle is little more than KH (about 3-4 inches more at least). The rear lights and the indicators are clearly visible and any extra fittings would not hinder their visibility.
I have noticed some vehicles with the spare tyre hooked-up at the back. They don’t really look good.
The colours are quite attractive. Most of them are common colours - gold, silver, black, blue and maroon. So far, they introduced only one new year colour - maroon, the one that I had to buy after my husband won the argument... sob..sob! I wanted the gold one very much:-(.
The Test drive
The ride was surprisingly very smooth. The vehicle was heavier than KH and the shocks were good, went over the potholes on the road smoothly. The ground clearance was better than KH and the bottom of the vehicle did not hit on the speed breakers, which happens very frequently with KH. The engine was almost noiseless at idle that at times I had to accelerate to see if the engine was still on. The vibration was also less compared to KH. Overall, the ride was very smooth and comfortable, which I would say was mainly due to its weight.
The Purchase
We had book our vehicle in advance as the colour we wanted was not in stock. The stocks arrived in roughly about 15 days. Blue was the most easily available color.. there were so much of it waiting to be bought! We had purchased the vehicle through a 0% finance from Ashok Leyland finance and the formalities were a breeze. The dealer had lot of representatives who helped us with the papers.. the only sore factor being signing almost 50 times! The dealers took care of the registration, insurance and road tax stuff. I only had to submit the necessary documentation. It cost me a little over 40k.
The Extra fittings
There is an optional box in the front which is very spacious. The front box used to be part of the standard equipment of KH, but here it comes at additional cost and a different key, which I found little uncomfortable as both the ignition and the box’ keys look the same. Then you have the ’’beep’’ for the indicators, the spare tyre, side bars, saree step and the side stand. All these come only at additional cost.
The Start
Always did a cold-start every day morning... vehicle on centre stand... turn on ignition.... turn on choke... kick it lightly for a few times (warm up??!)... kick hard... and my vehicle spluttered to life! (Accelerate lightly to keep it warm and running!)
The first few days
The seat and the general height of the vehicle was more than that of KH that I felt supreme riding it! I was taller than M800s.. so I had a very clear visibility of the road ! This height gave me a lot of confidence compared to KH.
The other difficulty I had initially was to park the vehicle on its centre stand due to its weight. But with time and practice, I was able to do it with less effort.
One thing I was not happy (am still not) was it’s pick-up. The acceleration is very slow compared to KH. KH just used to vrrroooom when I accelerate lightly, but I had to really rotate the accelerator for Activa to pick up speed. This is a problem when I want to overtake. Although lot of my friends insisted that it’ll improve after the first service, I still feel it is bad.
The headlights are very bright (multi-reflector light). This is a major advantage over KH. KH’s headlights always looked dull and sloppy! The horn, though some say is not loud enough, I feel is pretty much OK.
The Service
There are 5 free services for the vehicle over a period of 1 year. The oil was changed during the first service (45 days) and there was a whopping bill for that. But the service was done perfectly. Pick-up did improve a little though not significantly. Subsequently had some starting problems.... second service fixed that. Almost all dealers have a service centre attached. Same day delivery.
Mileage
I have checked my mileage only once so far... immediately after my first service. It was on-the-dot 45kmpl. Heard it improves over time... yet to test it out!
Some tech stuff
Engine: 4-stroke
Displacement: 102 cc
Fuel Tank capacity: 6 litres (approx 1 litre in reserve)
Weight: Approx 106 kgs un-laden
Conclusion
I’m quite happy with the vehicle. The ride, for one thing, is much better and more comfortable than KH, Scooty and other vehicles in its class. I’m still not happy with the pick-up. The headlights are good. Overall, a good vehicle worth its price.
P.S. I still own my old Kinetic... yes.. it’s up & running! The retired vehicle is used by my retired father ’’limitedly’’!