As has already been mentioned, style is going to be one of the most important purchase factors for these scoots. After all a sizeable chunk of the customer base is made up of collegians for whom acquiring the latest Reeboks hold greater precedence over passing any exam. And when was the last time you reached a party on time, with your lady in your arms?

The Honda Activa has been designed to please rather than shock and as a result doesn't turn any heads in the way the Saffire does. Pleasing well-rounded contours constitute the bulk of the bodywork of the Activa with just the taillights showing a modicum of inspiration. Liked by all, loved by some and hated by none, that's the Activa. Even the instrument cluster is clearly laid out without being too sexy or flashy.

The Kinetic Marvel looks and is the largest of the four scoots gunning for each other here. The headlamp treatment is identical to the Activa's or rather the Activa's headlamp is identical to the Marvel's. On the same note, the Saffire's beaky front end is also similarto the Marvel's. Point being that in its heyday, the Marvel was the best-looking scoot and has formed the basis for the new generation of scoots that have followed in its stylish wake. These days the Marvel looks slightly dated but is still an attractive scooter nevertheless.

Coming to the Zoom ZX, the less said the better. Being sold in the same basic guise since 1987 has made her very long in the tooth and the minor cosmetic changes Kinetic keeps lumping onto the scoot doesn't really make a difference. In the Zoom ZX, front end has now become more 'aerodynamic', in what way, I haven't been able to grasp as it looks the same as the first KiHos. In fact all that the headlamp treatment has done is to turn it frompleasing to being different. Additional changes to note are the scratch guards and a revised muffler that houses the cat con.

For the life of me I haven't been able to understand why Kinetic gave us the Marvel and Zoom ZX in such dull and gloomy colours. A long time back the main tool in wooing my many girlfriends used to be a bright red KiHo and judging by the response from the ladies, either the scooter or I was a stunner. Point being that these scooters are actually pretty neat lookers, that have been let down badly by the paint job, no shade. 

For the style-conscious crowd, the Saffire is the scoot to have. I'm sure all of you have admired the snazzy bikes that seem to pour out of Bajaj Auto's stables every other day. Well, this bold futuristic design direction at Bajaj started with the Saffire and oh, what a stunner she is! From the front, the curvy and beaky nose together with the pseudo NACA duct, recessed turn signals and smiley headlamp treatment make the Saffirea head turner. The side panels continuein the same vein with a myriad compound curves merging beautifully into one another. Detailing, like on the rear grab rail, is superb. The instrument cluster is also most attractive and eye-catching. Overall the Saffire is the prettiest scoot around any which way you look at her, and the excellent choice of shades and superb paint finish heightens her visual appeal.