Automatic Scooters

Scooters are now an indispensible solution for urban Indian mobility and every city street is clogged with them says OverDrive (June ’09). Every major Indian two-wheeler manufacturer has a scooter in its line-up. Some who don’t, like Yamaha, plan to launch one soon. The scooter clientele is varied, with college-goers, style conscious males and working women besides serving unisex family commuting needs. With so many brands and scooters to choose from, OverDrive (June ’09), decided to put every automatic scooter under scrutiny to help you choose the one tailored to your needs….

The All-Rounder’s – Honda Activa vs. Suzuki Access 125

Both scooters exude a vibrant visual appeal. The Access seems bulky with its bulbous headlamp, a chunky front fender and slab-sided body panels. The elongated blinkers on the front apron and tail lamp cluster look stylish. The tubular grab rail is a letdown though.

The Activa is trim and athletic, its trapezoidal headlamp flanked by clear turn signals. The front apron gets Y-pattern lines and tiny dummy air scoops. The creases on the body panels including the sides and floorboard enhance the design. While the new tail lamps and alloy grab rail make for a sophisticated rear end.

Neither scooter has a standard side stand or number plate – an unnecessary hassle.

The Access overtakes the Activa in the performance arena. Displacing 124cc, it enjoys a 15cc advantage over the Activa and produces 8.6PS of power at 7000rpm compared to the Activa’s 8.1PS at 7500rpm. The Access takes 6.5 seconds to 60kmph from standstill compared to the Activa’s leisurely 10.2 seconds.

Both scooters sport remarkably smooth engines that feel unstressed all the way to their top speeds. In the vital fuel efficiency stakes, the Access delivers 42.6kmpl in the city and 51kmpl on the highway, or 44.7kmpl overall. The Activa betters this with a huge margin, returning 53.2kmpl in the city, 58.3kmpl on the highway and 54.4kmpl overall.

To conclude, the Suzuki Access packs some punch that will appeal to traffic light GP junkies. The downside is the significantly higher fuel bills as well as the stiff ride that will take its toll on the rider’s spine.

The Activa’s refinement is the benchmark and its virtues are family oriented. It is far more fuel efficient and has a slight edge on the looks front too. The Activa bears a Rs. 45, 848, OTR, Pune, price tag while the Access retails for Rs. 48, 886.

Thus the Honda Activa fits the bill for both the senior citizen and the youngster, looks good and is far easier on the wallet as well. The undisputed winner!

PYTS – Hero Honda Pleasure vs. Kinetic SYM Flyte

The most refined of Kinetic products, the Flyte has reigned as our ladies first choice scooter. Powered by a smooth 124.6cc engine that produces 8.1PS of power at 7000rpm, the Flyte is light and zippy but being tailored for female frames, it proves cramped for above average sixed male riders. Also it is low on performance compared to scooters in its class – taking a languid 12.3 seconds in the 0-60kmph dash while registering an 84kmph top speed.

Except for the styling, the hero Honda Pleasure is essentially an Activa. It sports a refined 7PS 102cc mill. It is much lighter than the Activa though and relatively quicker, taking 10.1 seconds to 60kmph while its top speed is an impressive 76.8kmph. Compared to the Flyte tough, the Pleasure feels cramped.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Flyte 125 returned an overall figure of 47.6kmpl while the Pleasure is slightly more frugal at 49.6kmpl. The clincher is the price. At 44,242, OTR, Pune, the Flyte is markedly more expensive than the Pleasure with its Rs. 41, 700 price tag. The Flyte still holds ground though says OverDrive (June ’09) thanks to a refined engine, best in class ride, top notch build quality and a plethora of convenience features.

Dash of Flash – Honda Aviator vs. Dio

A flashier option to the Activa, the Dio is a futuristic looking scooter with sharp, sporty looks. Over the years, snazzy paintjobs and decals have hidden its age pretty well and it still doesn’t look out of place in a college parking lot.

The Aviator on the other hand is stylish in a rather mature manner to go well with shirt tuckers even suits at times. The distinguishing feature of the Aviator is its subtle European styling and large 12-inch front wheel, which lends the scooter a taller, masculine stance and its height, makes it suitable to well-built frames. The design is appealing and details like the body coloured panel on the inside of the front apron make it feel expensive.

Under the skin, both scooters are powered by Honda’s tried and tested 102cc engine, the Dio feeling slightly zippier. The Aviator handles better courtesy the taller front wheel and telescopic forks upfront. There isn’t much difference on the fuel efficiency front either with the Dio slightly ahead with 49.2kmpl.

Both scooters target different age groups and there is a huge disparity in pricing. The Dio, at Rs. 41, 125, is one of the cheapest 100cc scooters you can buy while the grown up Aviator at Rs. 45, 347 is on the expensive side.

Teeny Boppers – Bajaj Kristal vs. TVS Scooty Streak

The Scooty Streak and Bajaj Kristal rate as entry level bikes on account of their size and sub-100cc engines rather than price. The Kristal’s funky colourful switchgear is not to everyone’s liking and build quality is a bit iffy with cheap looking plastics. It’s 94.8cc engine produces 7.3PS at 7500rpm, is punchy but lacks refinement. 60kmph comes in 14.21 seconds while top speed is 80kmph. The Kristal comes with a trailing link front and SNS rear suspension that is set-up on the stiff side. The ride improves with a pillion. Not the most comfortable ergonomically, it tiny size is a boon in city traffic.

The Scooty has been a favourite in this segment and the Streak continues the legacy. The Streak has switchgear borrowed from the Pep+. The external fuel filler at the rear that can be operated without opening the seat is a new feature.

Its 87.8cc engine develops a modest 5.05PS at 6500rpm and feels refined but is lethargic in the performance arena, taking 17.88 seconds for a 0-60kmph sprint. It scores on the ride front with the front telescopic forks and the single rear shock that absorbs undulations with aplomb.

Talking fuel efficiency, the Kristal returned 49.13kmpl in the city and 53.46kmpl on the highway, making for 50.2kmpl overall. The Scooty returned 59.6kmpl in the city and 77kmpl on the highway to post 63.9kmpl overall.

At Rs. 39,989, the goodies laden Kristal is good value for money. The streak however justifies its Rs. 41,216 price tag by means of superior build quality, refinement and fuel efficiency and emerges the winner among the two.