Honda Activa 110 Expert Review

The Activa’s silhouette has remained largely unchanged for years, and that familiarity is a big part of its appeal. Build quality and fit and finish are at a good level, and the generous use of metal body panels gives it a solid feel. On the top Smart variant, the colour TFT display, four-way joystick, key fob and alloy wheels make the scooter feel noticeably more up to date than before.

The low 764mm seat is spacious and well padded, and the riding position feels neutral and easy to get along with. The suspension handles average road imperfections well, but the handlebar can feel a little low for taller riders during tight U-turns. Overall ergonomics remain friendly and practical.

The 109.5cc engine is smooth, peppy and best enjoyed between 0-60kph. What stands out most is the fuel efficiency, with the Activa returning an impressive 60kpl overall in our test run. The seamless start/stop system also works very well in traffic and helps improve efficiency further.

The Activa feels neutral and predictable in most situations, and its light controls make it easy to ride through busy city traffic. The suspension remains comfortable over everyday roads, although it can feel a little unsettled if you hit a bump at higher speeds or while cornering. The drum brakes feel numb at the lever, but they still provide enough stopping power for the scooter’s performance.

The Smart variant gets a colour TFT display, keyless operation, alloy wheels and Honda’s excellent start/stop system. However, the 18-litre underseat storage is quite small by current standards, and the absence of a front disc brake on any variant is a notable drawback.

The Activa remains one of the most well-rounded scooters in the 110cc segment. Smooth performance, excellent fuel efficiency, low running costs and strong resale value continue to make it a compelling choice, even if it is now one of the more expensive options in its class.