In a ‘Cliq’of its own

The 110cc HET engine that powers Honda’s (still) hugely successful scooter, the Activa, is a tried and tested mill, much like the scooter. It is no surprise then, that Honda uses the same engine to power newer models such as the Honda Navi, which surprisingly hasn’t picked up all that much in India.

Creating a clique of models, Honda is looking to crack the rural and semi-urban markets in the country with the new Cliq, which is again powered by the same 110 cc mill. The Cliq is the lowest priced offering yet from Honda, and the aggressive pricing seems to be aimed at capturing riders who may otherwise opt for mopeds — especially in the rural markets where the latter are still preferred. Finally, we spent a few days on the Cliq and here is how the scooter feels like to ride.

The Cliq has an all-plastic lightweight body; ours sported royal blue and creamy white matt-painted panels. At 102 kgs, it is a good 6 kgs lighter than the Activa. In fact, the scooter felt so light that at high speeds it seemed to get buffeted by crosswinds. Its naked front design is a bit of a head-turner, but it may not be liked by everyone. The front apron is reminiscent of the Honda Dio, with the headlamp (automatic headlamp on) at the middle and the indicators flanking it. The apron tapers towards the top in a trapezium-shaped tiny windshield of sorts covering the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster itself is very minimalist — with just the speedo and ODO meters and the fuel indicator.

The naked handlebar suits the overall design of the Cliq. The side panels feature modern, stylish design elements that make the new scooter contemporary to look at despite its retro positioning. The panels also carry over some of the Navi’s grooves and design elements. The seat ends and tapers out to a matte-finish rear, with the tail-lamp and the indicators on either side. The footboard is narrower and having a large grocery bag will be a bit of a squeeze. Under-seat storage is roomy and while it may not hold a full face helmet, a couple of hand bags should fit easily. The 3.5-litre fuel tank is accessed from under the seat as well.

The proven 110cc engine is BS IV compliant and churns out 8bhp at 7,000rpm with a peak torque of 8.94Nm at 5,500rpm. The torque availability at low revs ensures city overtaking is easy. The scooter feels zippier than the Activa, and that could be due to its lighter weight. Throttle response is linear and it is easy to get close to three-digit speeds on an open stretch of road, though vibrations set in once the needle crosses 80-90kmph.

Braking is effective and predictable, thanks to the combi-brake system, which activates both brakes so that the force is distributed on both wheels. Sudden braking is also handled well and the Cliq keeps its balance. Suspension is the same hydraulic system as that on the Activa, which is on the firmer side. So, bad bumps and potholes feel a little jarring. The block pattern tires offer good, firm grip, and seem to have been provided on the Cliq while keeping semi-urban road conditions in mind.

The Cliq is priced at ₹42,499 (ex-showroom Delhi). At this price, it is in a league of its own, with no real segment companions amongst scooters. However, it takes on the mopeds in the semi-urban and rural markets and seems a good enough package, offering refinement and a comfortable ride quality.

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