The scooter segment in India is a fast growing one with over 16 million units sold in the current year.
It’s set to grow even larger and all manufacturers want a piece of this pie. Honda dominated the Indian scooter segment with its Activa but that was way back followed by Hero . Now many manufacturers like Suzuki, Yamaha, Mahindra and TVS have joined the gear-less scooter bandwagon with competitive products that give the Honda Activa a run for its money.
Here is a list of scooters that are currently dominating the gear-less two wheeler market:
1) Honda Activa 3G
The Honda Activa has been with us for over 15 years, receiving only three face lifts through the years. The ordinary styling and extraordinary reliability has made Honda Activa the choice of millions. Styling isn’t revolutionary in the new Honda Activa 3G with main changes at the side with 3D emblem Activa badge and at the rear with new rear lights.
Powered by the same air cooled 110 cc single cylinder engine, the Activa 3G offers smooth performance with figures of 8 bhp and 8.83 Nm of torque. Some chinks in the Activa 3G’s armour are the analogue instrument cluster and lack of telescopic forks at the front. If you are looking for a reliable scooter with good fit and finish and also mileage, look no further than the Honda Activa 3G, priced at Rs 49,517 ex showroom Delhi.
2) Yamaha Fascino
The Fascino is Yamaha’s alternative for a stylish scooter with flowing cues and a retro design with bits of chrome too. Fit and finish is also premium compared to other Yamaha models and has a well designed rear tyre guard to prevent splashing. Yamaha’s Fascino is also longer with grippy MRF Zapper rubber, which makes it a bit more stable at speeds, plus having a kerb weight of 103 kg makes it pretty agile and happy to corner.
At the heart is the same 110 cc air cooled unit with a power and torque figures of 7 and 8.1 , giving the Fascino a strong mid range and onto a top speed of 90 kph. With BlueCore technology, Fascino is the most fuel efficient at 66 kpl (company claimed figures). So if you want a more reliable less expensive option to the Vespa, you can have the Yamaha Fascino at RS 53,000 (Ex Showroom Delhi).
3) Hero Maestro Edge
The main feature about the Hero Maestro Edge is the all new 110 cc power plant developed with assistance from AVL Engineering, which have been in the engine business for 67 years. The air-cooled single cylinder motor has a max output of 8.3 bhp at 8,000 rpm and a handy torque of 8.3 Nm from 6,500 rpm, which adds up to a top speed of respectable top speed of 85 km/hr.
Hero claims the Edge to have a mileage of 65.8 kilometres to the litre with an external fuel filler, which beats the figures of arch rival Activa. With a fibre body, the scooter is light at 110 kilograms making it easy and nimble in city traffic to exploit the gaps. Maestro Edge is also loaded with a chipped ignition key that can be used as a steering lock, remote seat release, remote fuel lid release and ignition.
Other features include an under seat USB point for mobile charging and a semi digital instrument console. Priced at Rs 50,700 (ex showroom Delhi) for the top end VX version, the Hero Maestro Edge is an appealing package.
4) Mahindra Gusto
Mahindra is the newest entry into gear less scooter segment and they aim to stand out from the crowd by offering features never before seen on a scooter. One of the much talked about feature on the Gusto is the seat height adjustable facility that will be a boon for shorter riders. Another is the follow me head lamps which help in easy location of your ride and a more premium flip out key with torch similar to the one on the motorcycle Centuro.
Another nice point about the Gusto is the positioning of the kick lever at the front so the rider doesn’t have to disembark to start the scooter. An in-house developed single cylinder 110c c M-TEC motor putting out 7.9 bhp and a handy 8.5 Nm of torque. Wide 12 inch wheels give good stability and class leading ground clearance too at 165mm .
If you want a well thought out scooter then the Mahindra Gusto is yours at Rs 49,350 for the VX Special Edition (Ex Showroom Delhi).
5) Suzuki Let’s
Another 110 cc scooter in the crowded segment, Suzuki’s Let’s has looks to its side with sharp styling appealing to both sexes in the right shade. Ergonomics are also its strong suit with a sculpted floor board that doesn’t intrude into the rider’s legs and a well positioned large bag hook near the ignition slot.
Suzuki’s new 112.8 cc engine debuts in India on the Let’s and it makes 8.5 bhp and 9 Nm of torque while giving a mileage of 63 kilometres per litre. There is no disc brake option on the Let’s and that’s a let down with drums never offering the same confident stopping power. Priced at Rs 50,600 (Ex Showroom Delhi), the Let’s is the one for you, if you want a decent looking and performing ride.
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