Honda Activa 125 (BS-6) Ownership Review: Flying Like a Bird Over Crowded Streets

[Kumar_CarFreak]

Got the High security type number plates from Honda.Here in my city the dealer stipulated a fixed date for me to come and get the no.plate installed (at the dealership) . I also received a kaccha R.C and my 5 year insurance from them.
Pucca R.C(proper one) I will get after 15 days from no. plate installation.


The fonts are raised in the lettering
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It sits flush with the rear mudguard
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Rains back in my city on the eve of Makar Sankranti 15 JAN
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Well It's a luxurious parking alloted for the Activa. Must be enjoying it with the sofa and all.
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bike like cuts and design on the headlights
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I do not like the dealer advertisement on my number plate
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There are no screws,only rivetts on the plate.Difficult to change in case I want a new or different plate with different fonts.
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Since this is a HSRP, you cannot change it simply like how you do with the regular number plates. You have a set procedure to get the number plates replaced post taking up the RTO or relevant formalities. The number plate once dismantled and can never be fitted back, and you need to install new ones with RTO knowledge.

Well the 1st niggle with my Activa125BS6 has been the Battery itself ,and within a month of ownership it has gone fully discharged twice!!
ASS people charged it fully and give me back.It goes on for a few days,and then again the same discharged state.Its getting on my nerves!

Should be because of the AHO feature, which I don't think helps in anyways in a country like India..

Excellent review Mr. Dixit for your very detailed, but precise and upto the point review.

Please throw some more light on the current fuel efficiency on the BS VI, and please do compare it with the one you used to extract from your prior BSIII Activa 125cc, in city traffic (since you mostly seem to be riding in City).

Also am curious to know the reason for buying one more Activa 125 when you already have one. I believe it is for one more family member... (just curiosity, pls don't mistake).

In 2014 August, when I booked an Activa 110cc (pre-3G version), I was offered Activa 125 here in Chennai by the dealer, with an asking price of INR 70k for the top end, disc brake version. I was on tight budget, and moreover, since my wife was almost a newbie to Chennai mad city traffic on her bike, I enough-ed myself with the 8.4ps 110 cc and kept 125cc for the next upgrade.
One of my colleagues told me two years ago that his 125cc Activa hardly delivers 38 kmpl in Chennai city. Hence was curious to know your findings. Thanks !

Happy and Safe miles.

Thanks for the nice compliment.
Jupiter was :
Not BS6 when I was searching.
Was not stylish enough for me.
Colors were not according to my choice.
Was not feature rich at all, which Activa was providing.
Looks like uncle ji type scooter to me.
Newer Activa has now much more improved suspension.
ASS of TVS are few and bad in my city.
I believe Activa will be more niggle free,in the long run.
For me scooter = Honda Activa and nothing else.
So I chose their best offering,with Eyes open and not closed.

I appreciate your decision. Jupiter, in no way, comes even close to (can't even hold a candle) the engine refinement department of Activa (specifically my Activa 110 cc August 2014), even though Jupiter may make me envy with its 12 inch bigger wheels and a front Telescopic suspension that offers far better ride quality than Activa. Activa 125 outbeats Jupiter in ride quality by offering similar telescopic frontal suspension, however seems to retain the same 10 inch wheels. Honda could work on that angle please.

Thanks and Regards
Kumar

 

[bhvm]

The tyre pressures are same as my GEN 1 Activa. But it used to come with tuffup Tubes.

 

[mayankdixit]

Excellent review Mr. Dixit for your very detailed, but precise and upto the point review.

Please throw some more light on the current fuel efficiency on the BS VI, and please do compare it with the one you used to extract from your prior BSIII Activa 125cc, in city traffic (since you mostly seem to be riding in City).
One of my colleagues told me two years ago that his 125cc Activa hardly delivers 38 kmpl in Chennai city. Hence was curious to know your findings. Thanks !
.

Thank you for your appreciation. Means a lot to me!
Average of the new activa is nothing to write home about.Its mostly in the range of 40s. Older Activa 125 gave the max average of about 45-50 km/litre that too when the engine opened up fully.
Recent pic of the MID figures.But mind you this is after rough driving with lots of start stops!

Also am curious to know the reason for buying one more Activa 125 when you already have one. I believe it is for one more family member... (just curiosity, pls don't mistake).
.

Purpose of newer Activa was:
1) I Wanted to get rid of my pristinely maintained bike.Nobody wanted to drive it.I had a lingering shoulder and back injury,which worsened on the bike,so it was painful to see it getting rusted and all at the same place for no fault of the bike. Its registration needed renewal in 2 years!
2) My son is entering driving age.I needed another 2 wheeler for him.I did not want him to start learning on a bike.He feels more comfortable on a scooter and its easier for him to learn on that.
3) BS6 Activa was very mouth wateringly beautiful and smart looking.I slipped on seeing the smart beauty.I really enjoy driving it in the city.It takes off from red lights like no other!

The tyre pressures are same as my GEN 1 Activa. But it used to come with tuffup Tubes.

Yes you are correct. I just intended to point out that weight capacity parameters of the luggage hooks have been changed somewhat ,thereby increasing the overall luggage towing capacity.That's all.

 

[Kumar_CarFreak]

Thanks Mayank. As you said, once the engine completely opens up, the mileage may rise up till 45+ kmpl, which should be good enough for a 125cc motored vehicle. Happy miles.

 

[mayankdixit]

Apparently there has been a recall for Honda Activa 124 BS6 models. On putting my VIN No. on the official site,I found out that my scooter is amongst the affected batch. I am worried that why this recall is there so early in the life cycle of the product.It's totally new!
I contacted Axis Honda in my area,and they were having no clue at all about the recall.I was not satisfied with their phone reply,so I took my scooter and went there in the evening to verify everything.Most of the staff including the person who serviced my Activa,was unaware of the recall. One senior manager sitting at the computer acknowledged that a circular had come regarding the recall about a week ago,details of which can not be disclosed now! I got upset and returned back home,and complained on their official site.

 

[VISHNUCARCRAZY]

Is it the cooling fan cover and oil gauge recall Mayankji ?
I suggest you to wait for a month before giving it for the replacement of part as through recall, else high chances that your ride will be a test dose.

 

[mayankdixit]

Is it the cooling fan cover and oil gauge recall Mayankji ?
I suggest you to wait for a month before giving it for the replacement of part as through recall, else high chances that your ride will be a test dose.

Yes you are totally correct.They are changing these 2 parts as a proactive measure. Along With this they are adding a page/correction in the owner's manual too.
Thank you for the advice and I will wait it out,because already they called me to inform that the part is not in stock,and it will arrive next week.



This fan cover is of New Activa 125 BS6. This has (supposedly)some design flaw and is being changed.

this plastic plate is attached to the fan cover as a single piece and acts as a heat guard for the silencer too.Maybe that's the root cause of all problem

This is the fuel gauge.This will be changed too.

Now look at the design of the earlier ACTIVA 125BS3.This is totally different and aerodynamic too.This dissipates off heat more efficiently.

Look the plastic guard of BS6 activa is made of metal in BS3 Activa in this pic .No risk of melting in heat.Moreover it not part of fan cover,and there is space in between the two.

Old Activa BS3 fuel gauge

New Activa silencer cover

New Activa fuel gauge

 

[VISHNUCARCRAZY]

Isn't that Oil gauge ? Fuel gauge is one shown in the console na mayankji , and it has a normal transducer like principle .

 

[mayankdixit]

Oh I am so sorry,I stupidly labeled oil gauge as fuel gauge.Thanks for pointing it out.I should have double checked it before posting.

 

[deville_56]

Rather dipstick.

 

[mayankdixit]

The most significant upgrade for me (when I jumped from older BS3 to BS6 Activa 125cc) is the vast improvement in braking! And the credit goes to these ventilated disc brakes.This is the first 2 wheeler ever in my life , which has ventilated disc brakes upfront.So from my point of view its an upgrade for me in each and every way. Now I feel confidence in braking and the progressive bite is very beautifully tuned by Honda. Along with the disc brakes the front telescopic shocker system takes all the jerk and the scooter come to a halt without skidding and jerks.This is how it should be.



Lots of marks on my disc brake but on touching and feeling its all smooth. YUTAKA branded ventilated discs. Haven't heard of them.

3mm is the min limit for thickness

NISSIN brand,is well known

I am enamoured by the beauty

beautiful rear tail lamp cluster

 

[deville_56]

Yutaka is a real old brand, of course with Japanese roots. Been Honda part vendor since 70s or 80s. Also supplied for Kawasaki.

 

[mayankdixit]

Since bringing this Activa 125 BS6 in my life,I never got the chance to clean it properly. I was too involved with its battery issues ,and its 1st service and extreme winters in my city, with temp dropping to 2 degrees,etc. Basically I was being lazy and finding excuses to avoid contact with water . Today tried to clean it little bit,and was pleasantly surprised with the findings.These pictures were taken during washing.



Honda has given multi-step adjustable shock absorber at the rear.This was not so in the earlier model ! Nice improvement .Now I can adjust it like my bike.

the cover has darkened aluminium like finish instead of the earlier silver finish

footrest for this version is designed differently and is sturdier yet sleeker than before

Initially I disliked the alloy wheels due to the grainy and pitted texture ,but now I find them very easy to clean and wash.Its slippery surface repels dust.

Poop

 

[mayankdixit]

contd.from the washing pictures:

Honda has made small- small but noticeable and welcome changes to the scooter.Its engine size is now more compact and smaller and now it occupies lesser space in the engine bay.Alloy wheel design is smart and functional,but they could have given a more beautiful alloy design.


Petrol overflow pipe is given a contrasting red colour.

alloy wheel texture is grainy,and I would have preferred it smoother

 

[VISHNUCARCRAZY]

Does 2013 HET first gen model activa have adjustable shocks ? @mayankji