There are modifications to the familiar exterior but a new 109.51cc single-cylinder engine lies just underneath, designed with BS6 compliance in mind.
With a low output and a peak torque of 7.79 PS at 8,000 rpm then 8.79 Nm at 5,250 rpm on paper that doesn’t surprise anybody who sees these numbers. But in practice it tells a different story.
As well as boasting enhanced convenience on a long ride, power is delivered effectively. From the moment you get started with smoother engine and gearbox responses compared to its predecessors then even just this point of the sixth generation brings immediate benefits—vibration levels in particular have dropped substantially at all speeds.
When combined with the ACG starter motor’s improvement to Silent Start, the effect of these enhancements is palpable in a machine that now not only starts almost inaudibly but also benefits your hearing every time you switch it on.
Another advantage is clearly visible when one rides for extended periods: the heavy traffic of Mumbai loves this scootand will not be bogged down by it.
Perhaps most importantly for Indian buyers fuel efficiency was good. Over the test’s varied conditions it averaged 58 km/l slightly higher than Honda’s claim of and a much better over the past model generation.
“Rather than focusing solely on squeezing out more power,” says Hiroshi Yamamoto, one of those responsible for developing the engine, “we have aimed to make efficiency of combustion paramount.”
For the majority of riders efficient power delivery and dependability are much more crucial than another fraction of KPH. Indeed we intentionally put power” last!”
Improved Ride Comfort
The most important change in terms of upgrades is undoubtedly the front suspension which now consists of a telescopic fork instead of traditional trailing links seen on previous models: come this way and the riding experience changes dramatically, especially in India where road surfaces are usually troubling.
The scooter is now a far smoother ride over rough surfaces and you can last longer without fatigue. On those stretches outside Pune with a lot of potholes, the sixth generation retained its composure when previous ones would have felt edgy and scared.
Its rear suspension is spring-loaded and hydraulic with a damper spring, the whole system seems the above fails to match that of front shock.
A bump in the road to someone else sounds exactly what it is, while different ears give off different sounds: “I Hear an Elephant Passing.”
Its damping with pillion might keep above- but not all over- acceptable comfort levels.
When being tested for repeated high-speed braking from 60km/h, stopping distances did not increase and the brakes showed only minimal fade-an important point for a vehicle which will often be used in traffic with so many varieties of conditions.
The Practical Items That Make Life
Easier Honda has emphasized practical ideas that impact everyday usefulness. An outside gas filler means not having to open the seat to refuel… small change, but one received with disproportionate joy when wait angling in a monsoon or at crowded gas stations.
ACG starter eliminates the traditional starter motor, reducing maintenance while adding a silent start feature.
The multipurpose switch lets you toggle between odometer, trip and fuel gauge on a half-digital meter panel which, although not luxurious, provides clear information even under the glare of midday sunshine.
The pass switch was frequently used during tests in city traffic and worked flawlessly; as a safety feature, the side-stand engine inhibitor preventing starting the engine with the side stand down functioned reliably.
Example Sunita Desai-a commuter who rides 18km to her office every day-is impressed by these improvements: “They are small things that leave an impression on you when you use a scooter every day. That external gas fill alone saves me time and trouble several times a month”.
The Competitive Dimension
So long as it retails from ₹70,599 to ₹74,599 ex-showroom, Delhi, major rivals offer riders variety in features or styling for the Activa 6G to contend with. The TVS Jupiter offers similar reliability and more features, while the Suzuki Access 125 offers more power and space.
Yet Activa sales continue with strength emblematic of the Honda formula; slow, long-term improvements are what buyers appreciate.
The solid service network that is quick and even has parts in remote areas has been a positive advantage that competitors are hard pressed to emulate.
Honda Acitva 6G
The Activa 6G is no revolution in the scooter segment and does not bring anything fundamentally new. It does however represent Honda’s ideals of consistently raising standards.
By resolving many objections to generation Activa models on account of touch control, amenity and convenience it retains the core values which made ever India’s best-selling two-wheeler.
For riders who need transportation that is practical and dependable, with a moderate volume of after-sales service and satisfactory resale value, the Activa 6G makes a good case as a scooter that concentrates on the pragmatics of its users’ daily lives.
It will not fire the enthusiasm of enthusiasts nor satisfy those who must have the latest sweep of features; but in its reasonable consideration of practical mobility, the Activa maintains its place as one of India’s motorcycle benchmarks and remains unrivalled.