I just booked my New Honda Activa on(30/04/09) at "Om Sai Honda", Malad, Mumbai. THE WAITING PERIOD IS GOING TO BE 45 days+ 5-7 days thereafter for RTO, etc! [The final On-road cost in Mumbai could be+/- Rs. 48, 836; Accessories add another Rs. 4500/-].
Note: I have been a disgruntled owner of a Kinetic Nova for 5 years [I purchased it for 25K, but ended up spending over 17K on its subsequent maintenance. Now it’s as good as DEAD and I cannot think of spending any more on it]. I am turning on to Honda’coz of it’s better reputation+ easy availability of spares.
To reply to another post as to why I chose Activa over Suzuki Access. well, easy availability of spares and Honda has the best name for scooters [my earlier experience with Kinetic Nova was a long nightmare].
DELIVERED ON 13/06/09 - AT LAST after 43 days! I’ve run it for about 105 kms. Looks and feels great.
Preliminary observations: Engine sounds very smooth; High ground clearance [clears speed breakers with ease, even when fully loaded -with about 175 kgs weight - me, wife & daughter]. Need to be a tall person as your feet just touch the ground [my height is 5’10" and wt 85 kgs].
Dry weight is 107 kgs [this is heaver than most other scooters], this results in slight manoeuvring issues in bumper-to-bumper traffic conditions - difficulty in balancing. Headlight is very powerful [low beam is however not angled correctly -will rectify it in 1st servicing]. I am trying to maintain the 40-45 kms speed limit before the 1st servicing of 500-750 kms. Storage space* below the seat is barely sufficient to fit a full sized helmet with visor. and NOTHING ELSE, save for the vehicle documents. Check tyre air pressure immediately after delivery [front tyre was 30 psi against 22].
Servicing ONLY prior to appointment before 10 days . this was a weird condition imposed by the dealer and he made me sign. Until the next update.
In the picture alongside, the new activa is on the right and the old one on the left