2018 Honda Activa 5G Review
Bike Tested: Honda Activa 5G; Road Test No. 977
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 65,600/-
Honda Activa from the start has been the benchmark for most scooter manufacturers, it’s a legend by itself
By the end of 20th century, Hero and Honda were ruling the Indian market with the 100cc motorcycles. Honda had some different plans and took a step ahead with the launch of an automatic scooter, the Honda Activa. The first generation of Activa was launched in the year 2001. Since then the Activa has grown with time and has become one of the basic needs of a modern Indian family. This year, Honda has given the Activa a fresh new look and the changes are just cosmetic. New LED headlight, new instrument console, funky colour options and a new 5G badge. We rode the Honda Activa 5G on the streets of Mumbai and even after being the same underneath, it still feels a lot appealing.
Motor Quest: First generation of the Honda Activa was launched in 2001. While it got a major update in 2009 with a newer engine and a revised design. Since then, the introduction of HET in engines and various other factors have helped improve fuel efficiency. The Activa has got a new badge year after year – 3G, 4G and now 5G.
Design language follows from the first gen Activa, looks the same as the 2nd gen
Styling – The Honda Activa in its 5th iteration has got only cosmetic updates. However, the overall styling hasn’t changed even a bit. The front get’s a new LED headlight while there’s the updated Activa 5G badging on either of the sides. The Activa now comes in funky colour options making it more appealing. To make the update prominent, the Activa 5G also gets some chrome treatment at the front and the back. Except for this, the 2018 Honda Activa 5G is still the same as the 4G and 3G versions. The Honda Activa serves the purpose of a modern workhorse and hence the styling elements haven’t had a major update since 2009.
No economy badge on speedometer, it now gets an eco LED light instead
Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – The Honda Activa 5G get a noteworthy update in the instrument cluster. The cluster is now an analogue-digital unit where the speedometer is analogue and rest of the details are integrated inside the digital meter. The digital meter includes fuel gauge, odometer with a single trip meter and a clock. With a good observation, anyone can notice that the digital unit is picked directly from its sibling, the Honda Grazia. Not only that, the key slot has also been picked from the Grazia as well. The switchgear has been the same since the AHO update and there has been no change in the quality either.
The seating posture is very comfortable and relaxing
Ergonomics – At 765mm the Honda Activa has the most accessible seat for any scooter. It has been the same since 2009 and there have been no changes at all in the ergonomics of this scooter. The handlebar is close to the rider while it is still comfortable and keeps the riding posture upright. The footboard is wide enough to mount luggage onto the two hooks and there will be adequate space for a pair of legs too. The seat is neither too wide nor too long while it can fit two decently sized human beings properly. The seat cushion is soft and the footpegs for the pillion are placed in an ergonomically comfortable position.
The initial pick-up is brilliant, the Activa gathers pace quite nicely
Performance – Powering the Honda Activa 5G is the same 110cc HET motor which produces 8 BHP of power and 9 Nm of torque. However, these numbers may not seem exciting, the power delivery of the Activa is quite punchy in the low-end and it has a decent mid-range too. As soon as you reach 80 km/hr it soon goes out of breath and limits itself to 90 km/hr on the meter. The refinement level is just amazing and the Activa’s engine is just super smooth. There’s no noise or harshness we could feel, however, vibrations kick-in when the scooter is hitting its top speed or standing at idle. The throttle response is brilliant and the motor is tuned perfectly well to cope up in the city as well as occasional highway duties.
The Activa can wade through traffic in a brisk manner
Riding Dynamics – The ergonomics of the Activa are comfortable but the ride quality hasn’t improved even a bit. As it carries the same suspension setup, they do a great job of absorbing bumps and small undulations. But as the scooter rides over worst of roads, the front suspension feels bottomed out while the rear offset monoshock feels too bouncy even with a pillion. The front suspension counter-lifts as you apply brakes and that is the only gripe with such a suspension setup. The brakes, on the other hand, work brilliantly well. Even though it does not get disc brakes, even as an option, the Activa gets the combi-braking system as standard and it helps a lot in heavy braking situations.
The suspension setup is not the best, rear feels bouncy
Verdict – The Honda Activa 5G is a brilliant yet simple scooter in terms of the tech it carries. There’s nothing to be amazed about this scooter nor there is any bad point that makes the scooter unappealing. However, there are bits that Honda could have improved or added to the 5th generation to get along with the competition. But the Activa stays just as simple and affordable. The word Activa is so popular nowadays that it is used by so many people just to represent any scooter. The Honda Activa 5G though does not look like a brand new scooter yet it still slays as the market leader.
It’s a workhorse that doesn’t want to miss any fun
What’s Cool
* Comfortable ergonomics for the rider as well as pillion
* Refined 110cc motor has punchy performance and a great mileage too
* The Activa is so common that spare part availability will never be an issue
What’s Not So Cool
* Competition offers more features at a similar price
* Suspension and ride quality isn’t suited for bad roads
* Underseat storage isn’t big enough and it won’t fit a full-size helmet
The LED headlight is very bright but it does not project on the road properly
Honda Activa 5G Specifications
* Engine: 109.19cc, Air-Cooled, 2-Valves, SOHC
* Power: 8 BHP @ 7500 RPM
* Torque: 9 Nm @ 5500 RPM
* Transmission: CVT Automatic
* Top Speed: 85 km/hr
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Frame: Underbone Frame
* Suspension: Hydraulic Forks (Front); Hydraulic Monoshock (Rear)
* Tyres: 90/100/10 (Front); 90/100/10 (Rear)
* Brakes: 130 mm Drum (Front); 130 mm Drum (Rear), Combined Braking System
Honda Activa 5G Dimensions
* Length x Width x Height: 1761 mm x 710 mm x 1158 mm
* Wheelbase: 1238 mm
* Seat Height: 765 mm
* Ground Clearance: 153 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 5.3-litres
* Kerb weight: 109 kgs
The Activa has become a synonym for a scooter in India
Testers’ Note:
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