I was never part of the “in” crowd at school. The smokers and the people who boasted about how much they had to drink the previous night; those who did things to belong. Instead, I hung out with my friend, who shared a common interest: motorcycles. Even though our 50 cc, two-stroke machines could only muster 100 km/h after heavy modification, we spent many kilometres riding together with no pressure to impress others.
I think I have come full circle, back to a place where I can truly enjoy a small scooter without giving two hoots about what people think or say. This was certainly the case when Honda delivered the brand-new Activa 125 straight after I had tested the e-Clutch version of the NX500. Strangely, I enjoyed having the little Activa in my garage more than the NX, purely for its sheer practicality.
The Activa is a relatively new model to the South African market, though it does not replace the current Elite. It features Honda’s PGM-FI fuel-injection system. Statistically, it looks like a traditional scooter, but Honda has succeeded in making it feel modern. It sports a sharp-looking front end with daytime running lights and indicators neatly integrated into the front body panel, while the headlamp remains incorporated into the handlebars. The back of the bike looks a bit wide, but this is the heart of the beast: behind those subtle chrome accents sit the engine, fuel tank, and under-seat storage compartment.
The seat is a low 765 mm off the ground, but the wide floorboard can still present a slight reach challenge for shorter riders. Even though the seat tapers at the front, the wide floorboard prevents your feet from dropping straight down, though the Activa remains accessible to a broad range of riders. At 6’1”, I fit comfortably on it. My height wasn’t an issue, though I did wonder if my weight might strain the engine.
The Activa has a displacement of 124 cc. It pushes out a modest eight ponies, and power to the back wheel is via a CVT gearbox. It has to contend with a 107 kg kerb weight plus a rider desperately trying not to break the 100 kg mark. The fuel injection makes a noticeable difference here, and the Activa is not as feeble as the numbers suggest. In fact, it pulls smartly off the line and easily allows you to keep pace with urban traffic.
The handlebars host standard controls, with the primary difference from a motorcycle being that the rear brake lever sits where the clutch normally would. Honda has also incorporated a very neat “handbrake” on the left handlebar: pull the rear brake lever and engage a small latch to lock it in place. It is such a simple feature; it makes me wonder why all scooters don’t have this.
Directly ahead sits a clean analogue speedometer alongside a small LCD display showing the time and fuel level. You can toggle through basic readouts like total distance, a trip meter, real-time fuel range, and average fuel consumption since the last reset. An open pocket is positioned in front of your knees with a USB charging socket directly above it. It is spacious enough to hold a 250 ml water bottle or charge a smartphone while riding. It isn’t lockable, but given the bike’s compact proportions, compromise is expected.
Where the Activa really shines is on quick runs to the local shops or hardware store. It demands minimal effort, and the under-seat storage handles most daily items. If you have larger grocery bags, two utility hooks allow you to conveniently secure bags in the footwell area. Another well-thought-out feature is the external fuel cap, which opens independently of the main seat. This eliminates the risk of spilling petrol near your cargo and keeps under-seat valuables hidden while refuelling.
The Activa is also something the entire household can use for running errands or school trips, and running costs are minimal. Over the first 100 km, the dashboard indicated a fuel consumption figure of roughly 46 km/L (approx. 2.17 L/100 km), a figure that steadily improved with further use. Real-world efficiency will naturally vary depending on riding style and how much time is spent at full throttle.
ZA Bikers recently travelled to India with TVS, where scooters dominate the roads. It raises an interesting question: why does a manufacturer like TVS sell a million small-capacity motorcycles across broader Africa, yet only a fraction in South Africa? What will it take for local commuters to adopt scooters for short trips? Retailing at R27,999, the Activa’s potential fuel savings alone could quickly offset its purchase price. Somewhere in the mindset of the South African motorcyclist, the penny needs to drop. Stop worrying about what other people think. Keep the weekend warrior bike in the garage, but park a practical scooter alongside it. You might be surprised by how often you reach for its keys.
Honda Activa 125
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