Honda NAVI First Ride Review

How does it ride?

Now on to the ‘fun’ bit. The NAVI uses the same 110cc single-cylinder engine that Honda otherwise puts in the Activa 3G. What’s changed though are the power and torque figures, albeit slightly. At 7.7bhp and 8.96Nm, the NAVI makes less power but more torque than its scooter equivalent. It’s also around 7 kilos lighter than the Activa as a result of using plastic body panels. All said and done, the NAVI hardly feels any different when it comes to either straight-line grunt or the soundtrack as it chugs along at city speeds with minimal vibrations. What’s entirely different, though, are the ergonomics and the way the NAVI handles.

Once aboard, the ergonomics of the NAVI begin to really impress. The narrow seat allows you to get well forward over the centre of this thing and the high, wide bars fall to hand easily for good enough feedback. Yes, it has no aspirations of getting onto the highway, but the NAVI is such a sweet handler everywhere else – its lively at both slow and medium speeds, thanks to the compact frame and the model’s inherent lightness. Even with its abbreviated wheelbase (compared to a regular motorcycle) and puny 10-inch wheels, the Honda was stable all across the cobbled roads of the Imagica theme park where we were made to thrash it.

Scooters generally tend to ride a bit stiff in the absence of a pillion but this cannot be said for the NAVI. The telescopic upside-down forks up front soak up bumps with ease and the rear monoshock is compliant as well. Having ridden the Activa in all its forms, I expected some amount of mid-corner bump steer over rough surfaces but the NAVI stayed properly solid. The budget-minded MRF Nylogrips weren’t too bad either and filled me up with enough confidence to flick the NAVI from side to side in a jiffy.

Anything else I should know?

The NAVI’s pocket-sized frame is overshadowed by quirky design bits and a sense of sportiness that summons a seasoned rider to hop on and tear up the streets. Only thing is, you’re out of puff at about 80kmph or say 85kmph if you happen to find a downhill. That still doesn’t take away from the fact that the NAVI is a brilliant commuting machine, one that can be as much fun as big displacement motorcycles in traffic.

With a base price of Rs 42,600 (ex-showroom, Mumbai), the NAVI represents excellent value, however, the price shoots up quickly as you factor in optional accessories like the number plate and a side stand, besides registration charges and insurance. The NAVI, then, will set you back by around Rs 50,000 on-road. Honda even has an accessory package that costs upwards of Rs 5,000, if you dare to splurge more on your NAVI.

Why should I buy one?

Because there’s nothing remotely like it in the market? Or the fact that it will probably put a smile on your (or a passer-by’s) face as you scoot around in town.

However, if you’re considering the NAVI over any regular scooter as a practical two-wheeler, do keep in mind that there is hardly any storage space. Most scooters have ample under seat storage and some more on the foot well. The NAVI has none, well, nearly none. There is some storage space under the fuel tank but it’s not exactly handy. As for the under seat storage, there is room only for the customary toolkit and some documents.

Where does it fit in?

Nowhere, to be brutally honest. Honda India themselves left it on us journalists to define whether the NAVI is a scooter or a motorcycle. The way I see it, it’s a welcome change from the sea of same old 110cc scooters and commuter motorcycles that have been ruling the streets. So whether you’re looking to get into the thin end of motorcycling or just looking for an incredibly fun yet inexpensive way to get around town, then the NAVI is for you.

Identity crisis aside, the NAVI undoubtedly is the coolest thing Honda India has done in a long, long time.

Photography by Sanchit Arora

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