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S. Muralidhar

I am 55 years old and have been riding a scooter for more than two decades. I started with the Vijay, which I drove for more than a decade, and then bought the Bajaj Classic. I have been diagnosed with mild spondilytis. Since there was a risk of the problem being aggravated, I recently sold the Bajaj Classic scooter. The scooter's stand was heavy to put on. I also find it difficult to travel by public conveyance. On average I travel 250 to 350 km per month. Please advise me. - N. Ravi Clearly yours is a predicament that is will be shared by many middle-agers who have been riding a scooter for the past couple of decades. The traditional metal bodied, manual geared scooter of yesteryear had more than one reason why it was both uncomfortable and potentially harmful to the rider's health in the long run. While dynamic shock absorbing and ergonomic seating was non-existent during the heyday of the traditional scooter, other features, such as the small wheels, poor braking and off-centre positioning of the engine all contributed to the riding discomfort.

Further, the heavy metal parts, thick sheet metal for the body panels, spare tyre at the back and cumbersome stand for the scooter made it that much heavier and more difficult to handle. For people your age, the kick-start mechanism also becomes more annoying and at times the kick-back pressure is so hard that even injury is possible.

Given your profile and with a history of having ridden a geared metal-bodied scooter for more than two decades, it may be difficult for you to switch to a new vehicle type now. Despite the fact that the motorcycle is possibly the most comfortable option that two-wheeler buyers now have, age and the associated weaknesses obviously mean that the only choices that you can consider will have to be between the scooterette and the new age scooter.

Amongst the choices that are available in the scooterette segment, the ones you may consider are the Kinetic ZX Zoom, Kinetic Nova, Honda Activa and the Honda Dio. The only real new age scooter — Honda Eterno — is the other choice.

However, given your experience with the kick-start mechanism in scooters and because the Eterno is also one of the heaviest amongst these options, it may not be the best choice. The Eterno's 150cc engine also offers more power than you may need.

Further, given the fact that you have been used to metal bodied scooters and as such since users of these scooters look for longevity and ruggedness that a steel body tends to offer, the Honda Activa may be the best option for your profile. The four-stroke, 102cc engine of the Honda Activa generates 7 bhp of power. The transmission is variomatic (gearless) and it offers electronic ignition. Suspension is good and despite the use of steel body panels, the weight of the Activa is manageable. Mileage of about 40 km to a litre in city driving conditions can be expected. Price on road is about Rs 39,000.

I am an engineering student, and plan to buy a two-wheeler for regular use by my family. I would prefer a two-wheeler with engine size above 75 cc. Further, I would prefer a lighter vehicle, so that my sister can also handle it. Please throw some light on the latest two-wheelers that also offer economical performance along with stability. The ones I had in mind were TVS Scooty and Honda Dio. - A. Mithun

The two choices that you listed are close to being the best options that suit your requirements. Both are quite new in the market. They have been designed and manufactured keeping in mind the looks and expectations of the young rider.

The Honda Dio sports the same 102cc engine that powers the Honda Activa. However, since the body panels are made of ABS plastic, the Dio is lighter than its predecessor. As such this is quite a powerful two-wheeler for the first-time rider. The fuel efficiency at about 42 km per litre will only be a shade better than the Activa.

The TVS Scooty Pep, the jazzed up new version of the Scooty, is a smaller, more compact and less powerful scooterette. With a 75cc, four-stroke engine, the Scooty Pep is less powerful that Activa.

It has a maximum output of about 4.4 bhp. This could be a feature that will help your other family members more. Further, the lower riding posture of the TVS Scooty compared to the Honda Dio will help family members who are shorter.

The Honda Dio priced at about Rs 41,000 on road, is nearly Rs 8,000 more expensive than the Scooty Pep. The Scooty will also offer about 50-55 km to a litre of petrol compared to the Dio's 42 kmpl.

(Readers are invited to send their queries related to the world of automobiles to:q&a@thehindu.co.in)

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