Honda Grazia First Ride Review

The year 2017 was like a roller coaster ride for the Indian automotive industry. They faced many hardships in the form of 2016 demonetization, GST, and the BS IV emission norms. Still, the market is moving without any serious roadblocks. Moreover, in this same year, we had overtaken China to become the world's largest two-wheeler market. Along with that, we also witnessed numerous launches this year in the form of new models and updated ones.



Interestingly, the much popular Honda Activa is on the verge of setting up a new record by becoming the best-selling two-wheeler in the country for the fourth consecutive year. By following the footprints of this gang leader, Honda decides to take this scooter war to a whole new level by introducing a youth-oriented and fun to ride machine in the 125cc category called 'Grazia'.

Styling and Design

Grazia is a new age scooter with all the fashionable outfits of a modern scooter. The front apron is decorated largely with the LED headlamp which has the poise of a shark from sides. Turn indicators are positioned just above the headlight as a single lighting unit. At the center of this lighting department, there is a V-shaped matte black plastic panel which distinguishes Grazia from Dio and other scooters in the segment. The muscular lines start from the front and runs all the way towards the tail section and merges with the rear brake light. The trendy looking split grab rails and sharp LED tail light are pleasing to the eyes.





From the sides, those sharp looking headlight gives a ferocious look to the Grazia. This time Honda has stickered their large moniker on the sides of the floorboard as a part of their customer feedback modification. Many of the buyers have seen added this sticker on the Dio and Activa models as customization. Furthermore, the exhaust kit gets a faux-carbon fibre texture which has added the sportiness and overall appeal of the Grazia. In short, it is primarily made for young Indian riders who demand youth-oriented and fun to ride machines.

The Ride

Unlike Activa 125, Grazia is a light machine to handle. It felt very easy to move around in the turns or even on the city traffics. Grazia combines the rideability of Dio and the refinement of Activa 125. The acceleration is steady and seamless from 10 to 70kmph. It is expected to have a top speed of 95+ kmph on a straight road with least amount of vibrations. Overtaking is fun and effortless with the all-new Grazia. There is no power lagging which we had faced in Activa while overtaking.



Moreover, I am also impressed with the way suspension system works. The telescopic front fork with the combined effort of spring loaded hydraulic suspension enables the rider to go over potholes and uneven patches with maximum easiness and effortless. However, Grazia is designed to work on the city roads and urban commuting. It is not meant for carrying extra luggage on village roads. The engineers have worked out a bit on the suspension department to improve the riding comfort of this scooter. One which I had test driven was a standard model featuring drum brakes on metal rims. The DLX version comes with 190mm disc brake at the front and 130mm drum brake at the rear. In addition to that, the Combined Braking System (CBS) ensures the much-needed safety of the Grazia in a unique fashion.

The Engine and Performance

There is nothing new about the engine or its performance figures. It is exactly the same 124.9cc, single cylinder, fan-cooled engine found in the Activa 125 and Aviator models. The mill continues to deliver a maximum power of 8.52 Bhp @ 6500 rpm and peak torque of 10.54 Nm @ 5000 rpm. The most reliable V-Matic transmission used in the Honda scooters are also found in the Grazia. Apart from this, the engine features Honda Eco Technology (HET) which improves the fuel efficiency and performance of the engine. Therefore, it is expected to have a fuel efficiency of 50kmpl or even more with a top speed of 85kmph.

Features

Honda has indulged many features in the Grazia to look their flagship best in the class. The new LED headlight, turn indicators and the front cowl itself would make this scooter a unique one. However, there are numerous others features in this scooter which makes it one of the best 125cc scooter in the country. The new fully-digital instrument cluster is a cool feature, which shows digital odometer, speedo, fuel gauge, clock, trip meter and service indicators. The speedometer has a blue backlight which lit up even in the daytime as well. Interestingly, there are three-step eco indicators which can be ON/OFF using a button placed on the console.



Other utility features include a closed mobile phone storage on the interior of the front apron which also houses a mobile charging point. Honda has also redesigned the entire key slot area of the Grazia. There is a separate switch placed adjacent to the key-slot for opening the under seat storage space. It is an 18-liter storage area, which could easily fit a medium size helmet and small packs. Foldable aluminium foot pegs and perforated seat trims enhance the premium feel of the scooter.

The Verdict

Honda Grazia is a fun urban scooter which targets young generation of the country. The 125cc engine found in the Grazia seems to be practical for your daily rides. It combines the stylish attitude of Honda Dio and the standard looks of Activa 4G. Moreover, this scooter is studded with an impressive list of features which would definitely attract prospective buyers in this segment.



Honda Grazia is available in three trims like standard with drum brakes and steel rims, drum brakes with alloy wheels and the top-end version DLX come equipped with a front disc brake on alloy wheels. The much popular Suzuki Access 125 will be the major rival of Grazia. However, this particular segment is wide open and more players are expected to be coming in the near future.

Test Vehicle Provided By: Aryabhangy Honda

Full Details, Specification and Pricing of Honda Grazia

Photos By: Jithin Johnson