First things first. If you are looking at a scooter with firebreathing Performance you will have to look elsewhere - not that you will be able to find one from an Indian maker! The area in which the Activa excels is of course in the riding experience - unflustered and smooth, surefooted and precise.
  
Let me explain. The bike feels solid when on the move and firmly glued to terra firma come whatever the situation barring of course lunarscape roads. If that is not all, handling this baby is not a hair raising experience, rather TLC is the bare minimum required of the nut at the handlebar. Directional behaviour is superb - you steer, nay point it, in the direction you intend and the scooter holds its line and tracks true. Unlike certain other machines where you constantly need to provide inputs to correct directional changes, thanks to the well thought out steering geometry and the well damped suspension, the bike is always very composed and doesn't wobble or waver.
  
The ride quality is another important aspect which makes riding this bike such a pleasure. With the fine power delivery adding its own to further instill even more confidence, this is an ideal commuter machine which is sure to find very many punters. Of course the sound from the exhaust takes some getting used to but there is nothing to suggest it is underpowered compared to its 98cc two-stroke siblings.
  
Where the Kinetic Hondas were capable enough of around 68 to 70kmph (true speed) at the top end, the Activa surprisingly hit 79kmph without the engine straining or sounding harsh. This is another attribute which will win for itself many converts. From standstill as well the Activa starts strongly and though she doesn't best the Marvel or the DX, she isn't disgraced either. In fact the strong driveability in the mid-range is what gets the smiles beaming on the faces with minimum effort.
  
Credit in this area of operation has also to be accorded to the variomatic transmission. Having a great deal of experience of Kinetic Honda variodrives, the troubles start only after about five or six months of use when the roller weights start losing out and the pulleys begin operating for longer at higher revs even when at very low road speeds. Honestly I can't comment - as of the moment - whether the variomatic drive gear in the Activa is an improvement over the Kinetic Honda. But in the way she engages and disengages depending on throttle inputs, I think she will emerge trumps in this regard as well.
  
The composure I spoke about when on the move also translates into straight line stability when the anchors are thrown. The 130mm dia drums bite but without scaring the living daylights out of the rider and pillion. Balance under weight transfer when braking is most manageable and having the best scooter tyres contributing their own mite further enhances the feel-safe factor of operating this scooter. The feel is not wooden as on many Kinetic Hondas but with good feedback to the rider making him revel in the situation.
  
While on the subject of the riding experience, let me also state another very important aspect which was and still remains a bugbear on the Kinetic Hondas - the issue of low ground clearance. At 145mm, the Activa has enough to go up and over any of our notorious speed breakers and potholes to come out without jarring hits to the underbody. Thanks to the layout of the exhaust system and also of the main stand, there are no issues of the underbody crashing into something every now and then.