A gearless scooter is the ideal vehicle for city commuters needs – it is easy to drive for everyone, it offers strong convenience and comfort, and also space for load-carrying! Today, there are a number of new choices available to a scooter buyer – Honda Activa and Kinetic Nova being the forerunners. In this review, I will explain to you my entire rationale behind choosing the Kinetic NOVA as my choice. I think following factors are important:
ØPower: Your scooter must have adequate power to easily take you, your pillion rider and any of your luggage through all kinds of roads, including slopes.
ØMileage: Nova has electronic device that can guide the user to improve his/her riding habits to get best mileage. In scooters, since gear changing is not manual, the rider often does not know whether he is riding in a way that gives him good mileage or not. This device can educate the rider to stay in a mileage-friendly zone. I also checked the reports of independent automagazines or other automobile experts. Cybersteering.com also has an eminent online expert who gives personalized answers to user queries, free of cost. My Nova does give me 55 kmpl on road.
ØStorage space: Your scooter should give you strong utility value in terms of underseat storage space as well as glove box. Ideally, the underseat storage should be able to hold 2 helmets as many cities now legally require both passenger and pillion to wear helmets while riding, and other cities may follow the same rule. The glove box is very handy for putting in assorted items like cellphone, books, license, registration papers
ØRide quality : Your scooter should have a smooth ride and the gearshift should be automatic and smooth. Make sure that the seats are large and the riding posture is comfortable for you as well as your spouse. Check for the seat height and make sure that your (and your spouse’s) feet reach the ground comfortably when the vehicle is not on stand, as you will need to balance on your feet at the traffic signals. Check that the vehicle weight is ideal for you. Generally, metal body scooters are heavier. Check the suspension and balance of the vehicle.
ØStyling: Your vehicle should become a possession of pride for you. Make sure that you like the vehicle’s looks and they identify with your personality.
ØVehicle body: Today, there are two body-type options: metal body or ABS body. Advantage of metal body is that in case of accidents, dents can be repaired easily. However, ABS body is more modern and improves the vehicle’s gloss and better finish, also body panels are rust and corrosion free and normally can be replaced quickly and very economically. This means that after 2-3 years of use, you can simply replace the body panels and have your vehicle look as good as new.
ØMaintenance: Look for easy access to spark plug and carburetor. Also check the warranty period.
Here is factual information about some of the available brands in the country today. I used this and took test rides on each product :
Honda Activa Kinetic Nova
Engine capacity 102 115
BHP 7.0 7.2
Mileage* 35 50-55
Mileage guide? No yes
Underseat storage 1 helmet 2 helmets
Warranty 1 year 2 years
Vehicle body Metal ABS
Front glove box extra cost Standard
Styling old fashioned Elegant
- based on user feedback and opinions from auto magazines and experts, and my experience.
After the comparison of various factors, riding experiences of each vehicle, study of various automobile magazines and discussions with users, I decided that
I like Kinetic Nova the best – as it is better than Honda Activa/Dio in performance, mileage, utility, styling and warranty. It is also noteworthy that the Kinetic Nova was selected as “scooter of the year 2003” by auto magazines Overdrive and Business Standard Motoring