Honda Activa 125

The Honda Activa 125 is the bigger capacity sibling of the iconic 110cc Activa. Let's check out whether it lives up to the expectations:

Design

Stylistically, the scooter has the classic Activa design language. But the body panels look beefier, and get more cuts and creases, ensuring its own identity.

Also, the apron includes various chrome elements at the center, adding some premium look to the front. Thick chrome highlights on the sides and a slightly longer grab rail highlight the scooter's overall premium feel. The rear turn indicators are vertically elongated with a chrome strip. It's worth mentioning that Honda has tastefully applied chrome elements without overdoing it.

While the Activa 125's appearance doesn't look like something entirely groundbreaking, Honda has successfully made a design with broad appeal. The Activa's strength lies in its balanced and attractive design, along with excellent build quality and fit-and-finish throughout. Consistent panel gaps and high-quality switchgear make sure the scooter stands out within its price range.

Engine, Performance & Mileage

The Activa 125 is powered by a 124cc, single-cylinder engine that produces 8.3PS and 10.4Nm. Unlike high-performance scooters such as the TVS NTorq or Aprilia SR125, it prioritises efficiency over speed. 

The engine is a relaxed one, so acceleration feels a little sluggish. Throttle response could have been sharper too. However, where it shines is the refinement. It’s free of vibrations at all speeds, ensuring a calming riding experience. Additionally, the silent starter along with the stop-start system work really well. In fact, these aspects keep the Activa a step ahead in its segment. 

Ride & Handling

The Activa prioritises comfort in its suspension rather than sharp handling abilities. The telescopic fork and rear monoshock are tuned to be soft, ensuring a smooth ride on various rough roads with minimal bumps, especially when riding solo. However, with a passenger on board, the scooter can feel nervous over bumps, and isn’t very confidence-inspiring on uneven roads or speed breakers.

The Activa 125 feels very light and can be easily handled in city traffic, despite its 110kg kerb weight. The soft suspension, contributing to its comfort, does make it a bit twitchy when navigating sharp corners. This is acceptable as the Activa is primarily designed to be a capable and comfortable family scooter.

In terms of braking sharpness, the Activa, equipped with disc brakes, performed exceptionally well in our tests. The brake feel is precise, allowing for accurate control. 

Comfort:

Since its debut, the Honda Activa 125 has consistently gotten comfortable seats. The rider benefits from ample space, and the seat itself is soft, providing a relaxing feel during short city commutes. The riding posture is neutral, and the floorboard offers sufficient room for most laptop bags. However, the slightly low handlebars may be problematic for taller riders and they may feel uncomfortable at their thighs during U-turns. Additionally, the soft seat could lead to discomfort if ridden for long.

As for the pillion seat, there's more than enough space, accommodating even larger riders comfortably. The rear footpegs are positioned for a relaxed leg posture. Pillions will appreciate the plush rear seat for short journeys, but the softness may be a bit of an issue during extended periods of sitting.

Features

The Activa 125 is equipped with the 'Idling Stop System,' automatically turning off the engine at traffic lights or similar situations. Simply twisting the throttle restarts the engine. It also features a side stand engine cut-off function, an LED headlamp, external fuel lid, and a semi-digital instrument console with a digital inset providing information on mileage and distance-to-empty, among other details.

The H-Smart variant comes equipped with Honda's range of 'Smart' features, allowing you to unlock the scooter without a physical key and automatically locking it after 20 seconds of inactivity. It enables engine start without using the key and comes with a smart key fob, among other functionalities. More importantly, Honda should’ve equipped the Activa with smartphone connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation as that would’ve really improved the convenience. 

Should You Buy The Honda Activa 125?

For those seeking a 125cc commuter scooter, the Honda Activa 125 is a good choice. While the engine may not be sporty, it provides ample power for enjoyable city rides and is extremely smooth. This, along with its premium design, comfortable ride quality and a decent set of features, makes the Honda Activa 125 stand out as a good choice in the 125cc segment.