Honda two-wheelers have been ruling the Indian market for years and they have been successful with Activa as we all know. Honda Activa has been a domestic name for many years in the scooter segment. With the Activa built for the masses, the company’s other scooter “Honda Dio” got the youth's attention. While Honda Aviator as a third product was the flagship scooter sharing some components along with an engine from Dio and Activa.
The four stroke 109cc single cylinder air-cooled engine powered Honda Aviator survives with a slogan “Live Your Style”. The Aviator provides a distinctive style, a comfortable ride, good performance along with decent storage. Designed with new Honda Eco Technology, Honda Aviator assures better mileage and power delivery.
Refined 109 cc engine
Mobile charging point
Delivers good mileage
Outdated design styling
Misses latest features
10-inch rear wheel
Classy chrome front
Royal seat and stylish inner cover
It needs to be mentioned that the older Aviator used to deliver 7.1 BHP with its 102cc engine while the newer 109cc Aviator returns 8 bhp at 8000rpm and peak torque of 8.94 Nm at 5500rpm. Interestingly, the older model offered more punch in acceleration than the powerful newer model with larger displacement.
Motorcycle | Honda Aviator | Hero Maestro Edge | TVS Jupiter Classic BS6 |
Ex-Showroom Price (Delhi) | Rs. 57,560 | Rs. 53,330 | Rs. 67,911 |
Engine | 109.2 cc Fan cooled SI engine | 110.9cc Air-cooled OHC engine | 109.7cc Air Cooled OHC engine |
Power | 8.0 bhp @ 8000 RPM | 8.0 bhp @ 7500 RPM | 8.0 bhp @ 7500 RPM |
Torque | 8.94 Nm @ 5500 RPM | 8.7 Nm @ 5500 RPM | 8.4 Nm @ 5500 RPM |
Fueling | Carburated | Carburated | Fuel Injection |
ARAI Mileage figure(kmpl) | 49.0 | 53.0 | 62.0 |
Fuel tank capacity(Litres) | 6.0 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
Comparing to similar capacity bikes, fuel efficiency is a weak point of every gearless scooter. City riding at moderate speeds returns 40 kmpl. Highway riding at an average 50kmph with definitely give you 45kmpl. The new 109cc Aviator boasts of 15 percent more efficiency.
Aviator's optimum power delivery is linear and responds to throttle quickly. The low-end torque is satisfactory compared to the Activa which shifts seamlessly. The Aviator gearbox is different unlike another scooter with CVT. It lags after 40 kmph and again takes up speed after 55 kmph.
Motorcycle | Honda Aviator | Hero Maestro Edge | TVS Jupiter Classic BS6 |
Transmission | CVT | CVT | CVT |
0-60 kmph | 10.55 s | 11.24 s | 11.2 s |
Top Speed(kmph) | 82 | 85 | 85 |
The top speed of 82 kmph might sound silly, but it gets stuck to vibrations after the 80 kmph mark. The engine remains smooth and relaxed in 40-60 kmph range. You can see traces of Aviator in Maestro Edge, believing the past relation with Hero. TVS Jupiter and Hero Maestro Edge are slower to the 60 kmph mark but have a higher top speed comparatively.
The Honda Aviator gets awesome braking and suspension system. The Aviator Deluxe sports a 130 mm drum or 190 mm disc brake at the front wheels while the rear wheels are accompanied with130 mm drum brake. Similarly, the Aviator Standard comes well equipped with 130 mm drum brakes on the front and rear. The brakes are responsive and stable even while traveling at high speed or carrying luggage.
Motorcycle | Honda Aviator | Hero Maestro Edge | TVS Jupiter Classic BS6 |
Front / Rear | Drum/Drum | Drum/Drum | Drum/Drum |
Front Rotor Size(mm) | 130 | 130 | 130 |
Rear Rotor Size(mm) | 130 | 130 | 130 |
80-0 kmph(m) | 41.78 | N/A | N/A |
The seating is very comfortable and remains compact. This gives you more confidence while riding along. Since the seats are of cushion type, it gives more comfortable for long and short journeys to both rider and pillion. The footpegs and footrests are also quite large enough. The under-seat storage capacity of 20 litres is decent to carry a full-face helmet or bag.
Motorcycle | Honda Aviator | Hero Maestro Edge | TVS Jupiter Classic BS6 |
Chassis | Underbone | Underbone | Underbone |
Tyre-Wheel Size(Front) | 90/90-12 | 90/90-12 | 90/90-12 |
Tyre-Wheel Size(Rear) | 90/100-10 | 90/100-10 | 90/90-12 |
Front Suspension | Telescopic forks | Telescopic forks | Telescopic forks |
Rear Suspension | Spring-loaded Hydraulic | Unit spring with spring-loaded hydraulic damper | Gas-charged monoshock |
Seat height(mm) | 790 | 775 | 765 |
Ground Clearance (mm) | 145 | 155 | 150 |
Kerb Weight(kg) | 106 | 110 | 108 |
Starting System | Kick/Self | Kick/Self | Kick/Self |
The scooter gets an alloy wheels comprised of front 12 inch and rear 10 inch.The big tyre size returns greater control on roads and reduces the rate of skid. The scooter also comes with telescopic suspension at the front and unit swing spring-loaded hydraulic damper suspension at the rear. This suspension system enhances the quality and comfort of the ride at high speeds.
Honda Aviator is one of the tallest scooters compared to other similar bikemakers which looks very smart and stylish providing aerodynamic design. The front panel is really attractive with a blingy chrome panel (offered in the deluxe model) adding more style. The rear part gets muscular lines sweeping upwards accompanied with rear lamp cluster. Even the turn indicators give it an elegant appearance.
CBS with Equalizer
HET Engine with BS-IV
Classic Chrome Front
4-In-1 Lock With Seat Opening Switch
Royal Seat and Stylish Inner Cover
LED Headlamp with LED Position Lamps
Metal Muffler Cover
Front Hook & Retractable Rear Hook
Stylish Instrument Panel
Motorcycle | Honda Aviator | Hero Maestro Edge | TVS Jupiter Classic BS6 |
Length (mm) | 1802 | 1841 | 1834 |
Width (mm) | 703 | 695 | 650 |
Height(mm) | 1162 | 1190 | 1115 |
Wheelbase(mm) | 1256 | 1261 | 1275 |
The instrument console packed with large and clear dials. The analogue speedometer and fuel gauge are crystal clear and easy to read. The switchgear is sourced from existing Honda scooters. The body color grab handle, front mudguard and side panel of the scooter add more practicality.
For better safety, the Honda Aviator has added a multi-focal headlamp with a 35-watt halogen lamp, adding more visibility in extremely dark situations. The scooter is fitted with the Honda tuff-up tubes which reduces the chance of tyre punctures. However, the scooter misses out on an advanced locking system.
Motorcycle | Honda Aviator | Hero Maestro Edge | TVS Jupiter Classic BS6 |
Ex-Showroom Price (Delhi) | Rs. 57,560 | Rs. 53,330 | Rs. 67,911 |
Features | Combi-Braking System | Integrated braking system | Synchronized Braking System |
Stylish Instrument panel | Service due indicator | Charging port | |
LED headlamp with LEd position lamps | Boot light | Adjustable windshield | |
Metal muffler cover | Digital-Analog instrument cluster | Cushioned passenger backrest |
TVS Jupiter surprised us here with the addition of smart xonnect feature in it. This seamlessly connects your smartphone with the instrument cluster to display information at a dynamic patch on it. Honda Aviator and Hero Maestro Edge have a similar set of features.
Both of these manufacturers are the oldest players in the automatic scooter segment and the sale figures speak for it. Honda was the reason for Hero’s popularity earlier when they were together. But now, Hero is not able to create the same level of commotion as it did back in the day when it was “Hero Honda”. Honda is still riding high on its utterly reliable offering which has won over many and still manages to do so.
TVS Jupiter resembles Honda Aviator in a lot of ways. It looks similar and uses the engine of the same character. TVS wanted to shake up the Indian market just like Honda did when it bought out the Aviator. It provides marginally more power as well as more mileage but suffers from reliability issues. Honda scores here and thus takes the podium.
With no doubt, the Aviator is the scooter for the enthusiast. It offers better aesthetics, goodies, wheels, suspension and with the same Honda HET engine. By taking out more power from the same engine, the bike maker has tried its best to gain a good market share in this highly competitive scooter segment.