Requirement : A Automatic Scooter for my wife.
Desired Features : Low height, Light weight, should look good on both genders(at times I can ride for a change).
After a long research on most of the available scooters in the market, am writing this review.
Complete list of scooters:
Honda - Aviator, Activa, Deo
Suzuki - Access 125
Mahindra - Duro, Rodeo
TVS - Wego
Aviator is completely out of picture since its too bulky and lot taller.My wife’s height is 5.3ft.
Left Deo along as well since the person sitting at the back does not have space to rest his/her foot.
So I drilled down to Activa, Access and Duro.
However we will also review Rodeo and Wego since the makers claim its made for both genders.
Engine : Access 125 has the best tuned engine at 125cc displacement with more tha 9bhp power.
Duro and rodeo have same displacement with 8bhp. Activa(109cc, 8bhp), Wego(110cc, 8bhp).
Body : Wego has a all metal body.
Activa has mix of both metal and fiber.
Weight : Duro is the at 105kg.
Rodeo(106kg), Activa(111kg), Access(111kg), wego(110kg)
Height : Duro(1076) is a clear winner here.
Rodeo(1100), Activa(1147), Access(1125), wego(1115)
Fuel tank : Duro(6lts) and Access 125(6lts) have the largest fuel tank.
Rodeo has an advantage of having the front fuelling.
Suspension : Rodeo, Access and Wego all have the telescopic suspension which is really good feature.
Duro and Activa still rely on the spring-loaded suspension.
Storage : Duro(20lts) is the winner here. Although Access also claims 20lts Duro is more organised.
Activa(18lts), Rodeo(18lts), Wego(15lts) cannot accommodate a full size helmet.
Mileage : Duro is clear loser here. Actual mileage is under 40 in city conditions as per many users.
Rodeo(<45), Acess(45), Wego(no idea).
Ground Clearance : Access(160mm) wins it again. Duro(115mm), Nova had an issue with low ground clearance which has been fixed in Duro.
Rodeo(115), Activa(145), , Wego(no idea)
Braking : Activa has introduced the combi brake system which works well.
Rest all have the same braking technology.
Finish : Access and Wego are awesome in terms of color.
Duro is worst. Although not very prominent, one can see the finishing blunders at a very close distance. Mahindra needs to work on this.
Price : Duro is a clear winner at 47800/- on road price at bangalore.
Activa, Access and Wego all are at the price band of 53k.
After all this research, I was convinced towards suzuki access 125. However the waiting period of 3months was too much.
I made up my mind for Duro. I took my wife for a test drive. Since the weight of the scooter is evenly balanced my wife felt it to be lighter than Activa.
Moreover she was very happy to see the sparkle white color. Mileage will be an issue as petrol is touching 60/- in bangalore, but its okay since she will not drive more than 400-500 kms per month.
Other Advantages of Mahindra Duro :
Instant Delivery if the color is available. I got my vehicle within an hour of formalities.
Basic Accessories like mat, side stand, front storage are already included in the sccoter which costs you less than 48k. Other accessories like body gaurd, buzzer, and seat cover will cost 1500/- which is again optional.
6 free servicing.
Ample legroom, one can carry a domestic gas cylinder easily.
There are lot of other luxury features like central lock, mobile charger which is available with Rodeo for 2k more but however I felt the look is girlish.
Verdict : Go for Suzuki Access 125 if you can wait for 3months, but if you are a person who is not extrememly brand conscious and are happy to get the features at a better price then go for Duro.
Its been a month that my wife and me are using the vehicle and have drove almost 400kms. The vehicle is ready for the 1st servicing. Mileage now is 25km/lt.
Will continue the review after couple more servicing done.
Happy Scootering!!!!