I have been owning an Activa since the past 1.5 years, Though I was a Kinetic loyalist earlier, like many others I got caught up in the Honda craze and bought an Activa. In fact, I waited for it for one month for delivery! Unfortunately, my experience with the Activa has not been very pleasant.
Most irritatingly, the cost of maintaining the vehicle is simply too high. Every time I send my vehicle for servicing, it comes back with a bill of not less than Rs. 750! Even if I have no complaints. They say we changed this part and that part - who knows whether anything is really changed - and if it is then why do these parts need frequent changing?? On my Kinetic, I never had to spend more than 150 rs at a servicing.. My monthly income is not so high that 750 rs means nothing to me! I can take my family for a good movie and dinner instead of spending it on this vehicle!!
Similarly, the cost of spares is also very high. As for accessories. So even though you feel the vehicle is reasonably priced when you go to buy it, it ends up taking a lot of your money within one year itself. THAT IS WHERE HONDA IS MAKING ITS PROFITS. Once you have bought this vehicle, you have no choice but to cough up costs of servicing and spares and thats where they go for the kill...
mileage, though all right initially (40 or so) begins to drop and continues to drop steadily over a year. My Activa now only gives me about 30 kmpl which I think is very very very low.
All in all, I feel I made a mistake by buying this. My cousin owns a Kinetic Nova which gives him 55 kmpl (he says) and is reasonably serviced, spares are reasonably priced. there has been no maintenance issue; and in fact it looks better than the activa and has better storage space (underseat). so I think the Nova is a better scooter to buy.
This is my first review at Mouthshut. I would welcome any comments. I know there are many people out there who are in awe of the honda brand and may scoff at my review but I must say that I have learnt from my experience not to go blindly for it or you may pay for it dearly ..