Honda Activa 125, Suzuki Access, Mahindra Duro DZ: Comparison

Click through the images for a detailed comparison between the three scooters.

Overview - Honda Activa 125

With the Activa getting quite old after a decade of existence, Honda decided to launch the Activa 125. The new scooter does not just bring a larger engine into the game, but also a fresh look that will keep it from being perceived as boring. But it is still unmistakably an Activa, which is good.

Overview - Suzuki Access

Considered by many as the closest modern scooter to those of yesteryear because of its design, the Access is widely used as a family ride. The Access has been the best-selling scooter in its segment due to a powerful engine, strong build and also because it has not had too many competitors.

Overview - Mahindra Duro DZ

The Duro DZ is the updated version of the original Duro, but the makeover has failed to make this scooter popular. Interestingly, looking at the Duro DZ from the front will bring the Access to mind.

Styling - Honda Activa 125

Honda Activa 125 is still the same strongly-built, metal-bodied scooter. Unmistakably an Activa from the rear, the front of the scooter sports a few distinct elements such as the metal trim between the indicator lamps on the front apron and the black ‘crown' above the headlamps. These give the scooter an interesting character in contrast to the bland look of the other two.

Styling - Suzuki Access

The Access is a simple looking scooter with no bells and whistles. The design takes the no-nonsense route, which does not appeal to everyone. At the same time, this makes it ideal for use by every member of the family. The design could be considered roundish and ‘fat', unlike the smart look of the new Activa 125. The Access also has a large and prominent silencer.

Styling - Mahindra Duro

The Duro clearly does not have the good looks of the Activa. Like we mentioned earlier, the Duro resembles the Access from the front, but has a sleeker profile towards the rear, in comparison, which some people could incline towards.

Seating & Comfort - Honda Activa 125

A wide and flat seat for upright riding position that will also provide comfortable seating for passenger. A large alloy grab handle, alloy foot rest will keep the passenger safe. The front floorboard is also flat and broad, essential for a fatigue-free ride.

Seating & Comfort - Suzuki Access

The Access, much like the Activa, offers a flat and broad seat that provides an upright riding position and a comfortable ride for the passenger, augmented by correctly positioned foot rests and a large grab handle that will even support your back to an extent. The main difference compared to Activa 125 is the floorboard, which though flat, is not as spacious as the Activa's.

To be noted is, the large, unshapely silencer that juts out from the side. It's large enough to seem like a pseudo foot rest.

Seating & Comfort - Mahindra Duro DZ

The seats on the Duro DZ are just as comfortable as the other two, both for the rider and passenger. However, the seating position could get a little awkward for tall riders due to the floorboard that's positioned a little too high.

Engine, Transmission & Mileage - Honda Activa 125

124.9cc engine mated to a V-matic automatic transmission delivering 8.6 bhp at 6500 rpm and 10.12 Nm of torque at 5500 rpm.
Honda claims a mileage of 59 kpl, which is a minimal drop compared to the Activa 110cc's 60 kpl figure.

Engine, Transmission & Mileage - Suzuki Access

124cc engine mated to a CVT automatic gearbox delivering 8.58 horsepower at 7000 rpm and 9.8 Nm of torque at 5000 rpm.
Suzuki Access provides an on-road mileage ranging between 40 kpl to 50 kpl depending on city and highway driving.

Engine, Transmission & Mileage - Mahindra Duro DZ

124.6cc engine coupled to a CVT transmission delivers 8 horsepower at 7000 rpm and 9 Nm torque at 5500 rpm.
The Duro DZ has an ARAI certified fuel economy figure of 56.25 kpl. Real world figures could hover in the range of 40-45 kpl.

Features - Honda Activa 125

Instrument panel: A modern instrument panel that's far from basic. A large analogue speedometer is accompanied with a digital fuel level indicator, an odometer and trip meter. The turn indicator lamps have a separate slot as well. The silver trim encasing the instruments adds a dash of style.

The switch gear are of good quality and their placement remains unchanged from the smaller Activa.

Storage: The Activa 110 offers 18-litres of underseat storage. The Activa 125 is also expected to offer the same amount of space. A front storage compartment is likely to be offered as an optional add-on. A bag hook at the front is standard.

Features - Honda Activa 125

Fuel tank can hold 5.3 litres of petrol

Key hole comes with a sliding cover which acts as an extra layer of security.

Honda Activa 125 comes with what the company calls ‘CLIC' (Convenient Lift up Independent Cover). This is a mechanism that makes it easy to access mechanical parts under the seat.

Features - Suzuki Access

Instrument panel: The panel holds an all-analogue cluster that's made up of a speedometer and fuel level indicator. There is nothing fancy about it and if anything it looks a little cramped.

Storage: The 20-litres of underseat storage space in the Access is ample and more than the Activa. The space is large enough to store a full-sized helmet and a little more. Storage at the front is optional like in the Access. Of note is that the front bag hook is positioned too low for convenience.

Features - Suzuki Access

Fuel tank can hold 6.0 litres of petrol.

Brake lock for rear brake lever offered

The keyhole gets a sliding cover like in the Activa. Additionally, the ignition key slot can also be used to unlock the underseat storage.

Features - Mahindra Duro DZ

Instrument panel: The analogue speedometer and fuel level indicator are housed in a simple, but spacious panel. Headlamp indicator and turn indicator lamps complete the cluster.

Storage: The underseat storage has a 20-litre capacity, but in addition to that the Duro comes with a front glove box that's offered as standard feature which is not found in the other two scooters.

Fuel tank can hold 6.0 litres of petrol

Brake lock for rear brake lever offered.

Suspension, Wheels and Brakes - Honda Activa 125

A welcome addition to the Activa 125 are the front telescopic forks, which is sorely missed in the smaller Activa. Spinning between the forks is a 12-inch, 5-spoke alloy wheel that can accommodate the optional brake disc measuring 190mm. The rear wheel measures 10-inches in diameter and gets a standard 130mm drum brake. As with all Honda two-wheelers, the Activa gets the trusted Combined Braking System that reduces stopping distance.

Suspension, Wheels and Brakes - Suzuki Access

The suspensions are standard telescopic forks at front and swing arm, coil type at the rear. Unlike the Activa 125, both wheels are 10-inches as there is no option of disc brake. Stopping power comes from 120mm drum brakes at both ends.

Suspension, Wheels and Brakes - Mahindra Duro DZ

In the same league as the Access, the Duro DZ comes with 10-inch wheels equipped with 130mm drum brakes, front and back. Suspensions are telescopic at the front and hydraulic swing arm type at the rear.

A comparison of specifications, dimensions and price.

Value for money or final verdict

The Honda Activa 125's stylish and modern looks beat its competitors hands down, and the fact that it has a sturdy metal body means it is already a winner in the eyes of many.

The Activa also comes with the best looking and most useful instrument cluster by far.

The Activa 125 is also the most powerful of the lot. As far as real world mileage is concerned though, all three scooters would deliver similar numbers despite the differences in claimed figures. Do note, however, that the Activa has the smallest fuel tank.

The optional front disc brake and Honda's combined braking system would mean it will offer the best braking as well. While the smaller Activa suffered from the single sided front suspensions, the new 125 takes care of that Achilles Heel.

While the Duro DZ does not fare well against the other two in most respects, especially when it comes to engine specs, it does take the lead if you talk about storage with its standard front glove box. [Continued...]

Value for money or final verdict

In the end, while the Activa 125 seems like the clear winner, you'll also be paying a hefty premium for the extra features. If the Access costs Rs 5,000 less, the price gap between the Honda and Mahindra is nearly Rs 10,000!
The gap further increases when you consider the disc brake variant of the Activa that has a price tag of Rs 58,156 (ex-showroom Delhi).

In the end, if price is not a constraint, the Activa 125 is an easy buy. For those on a tight budget, the Duro DZ provides the best buy in this segment. The Access comes in between, striking a good balance between price and features, but would you mind spending that extra Rs 5,000 for the base Activa 125, which is far superior?

Spare a minute to share your thoughts and experience about these scooters in the comments section below.