Ever since its launch in 1999, Honda’s simple, yet chic Activa has been the de facto choice for commuter scooter buyers. In fact, it has gone on to be the highest-selling scooter, and has in effect, revived the Indian scooter industry from the dead.
The Activa 125, of course, is a peppier version of Honda’s hot seller, the one that’s aimed at those who want a bit more pep and style than the standard scooter.
It’s quite a lightweight scooter, weighing just 110kg. However, it still comes with a strong metal body, unlike many modern scooters which make use of fibreglass panels to keep their weight low. While there’s no mistaking it for an Activa, this is quite an attractive scooter, especially with the chrome bits up front that integrate into the turn indicators.
It’s got a smart-looking instrument cluster too, with amber backlighting and a mix of analogue and digital elements. The unit gets a digital fuel gauge, a trip meter and warning lights on both sides of the console. The switchgear is top-notch too, with nice levers, buttons and palm grips, all of which are well-placed. Sadly, Honda has skipped the rear brake lock clamp on the scooter, which could make parking the bike on slopes a bit risky.
The riding position is quite nice and comfy; the scooter’s floorboard is wide and should suffice for those with big feet. Even the flat seat makes accommodating a pillion rider quite easy. Despite the lack of any front stowage, the under-seat luggage space is quite big and can easily swallow a large full-face helmet.
Overall, this is a well-built scooter that’s proven to be quite reliable and hassle-free.
This is Honda’s first 125cc scooter in India and comes with a 124.9cc single-cylinder engine that generates 8.72hp. It’s more powerful than the 109cc Activa by 0.61hp and also has more pulling power at 9.8Nm. Like the Activa and most scooters in this category, the engine gets a CVT gearbox, and it even features friction-reducing technology to optimise fuel efficiency.
As the numbers suggest, the Activa 125 is a sprightlier scooter than its smaller-engined sibling. Like all Hondas, it’s smooth and refined at all times and is quite responsive to accelerator inputs. This, in turn, makes it an effortless ride in our bumper to bumper traffic. It can even cruise comfortably at 80kph, with some grunt left in reserve.
The Activa 125 rides on smart five-spoke alloy rims shod with MRF tyres and the scooter is suspended on telescopic forks up front and a single rear shock absorber, with the engine doubling as the frame’s swingarm suspension. It rides comfortably and quite confidently, and what also helps here is the larger 12-inch front tyre which makes quick turns; the rear wheel is a 10-inch unit. However, the real highlight is the scooter’s brakes. There’s a 190mm front disc brake on the top-end variant, while a 130mm drum brake at the rear is standard, both of which work in tandem to offer stopping power that feels superior to any other Indian scooter.
It’s quite fuel-efficient too and is capable of delivering 40-45kpl, close to what was offered by the smaller-capacity Activa scooters.
So, all in all, if you are on the lookout for a 125cc scooter, look no further than the Activa 125. It feels premium and, as with Honda products, is smooth and refined, and offers a good step-up in performance over the standard model. In short, it’s a scooter you can’t go wrong with.
