Honda Activa 7G : Damn it! As a scooter rushed past the traffic of Mumbai’s Linking Road, I caught its unmistakable outline — it looked like an Activa.
Except, it wasn’t. Chasing it down to a nearby college coffee joint, I found out what caught my eye—it was not your regular scoot but an Activa.
The edgier edges, the up-market touches and the stand-out-in-the-crowd illuminative treatment all positively screamed of Honda’s soon-to-arrive next generation for India’s most popular scooter – the 7th Gen (Jun7th!).
Having followed several test mules over the past month throughout Mumbai and talking to both industry insiders as well as Honda’s dealers have allowed me to bring you a whole lot of details on the Activa 7G – a scooter that represents Honda’s most aggressive play yet to woo the young Indian rider while not losing the commuter values that made Activa a household name in the first place.
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Honda Activa 7G The Design Revolution: Rare and Beautiful: From Practical to Premium
“We have been listening to tens of thousands of young consumers for months in closed-door clinics,” she added.
Their response has been very good,” says Anand Kulkarni, a long-time Honda dealer from Andheri. “Everyone was saying they never knew an Activa could look so good.
The metamorphosis starts at the front fascia as Honda has radically revised Activa’s akin-to-dorky styling following traditional Activa looks.
The headlight has also been described of with an X-shaped DRL, which provides a unique and recognisable signature light – perfect for glancing into the rearview mirrors and realising that the scoot you’re following is a new generation.
The primary headlamp also comes with the projector technology, which offers better throw and a premium feel that is generally seen on costlier two-wheelers.
The bodywork has had a complete overhaul with sharper lines and more defined edges for a sportier yet more youthful and dynamic stance to the scooter.
Out on the road by Bandra, I also observed how the new side panels provide a bolder play of lights and shadows Work that I feel gets overshadowed by the other more obvious aspects of raising the scooter’s quality and visual attraction.
“Young riders said they wanted something that would stand out in a crowd of virtually identical scooters,” said one designer involved in the project, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
“We needed to give the 7G a silhouette that’s unmistakenly Activa but with a lot more attitude and presence.”
Candytone color selection also grows with the 7G, providing a wide range of youthful choices, such as the head-turning Matte Axis Grey Metallic with Fiery Orange, which was a big hit with the young riders at our clinics.
The usual colors like Pearl Nightstar Black and Imperial Red Metallic are still around for those looking for a more subtle look.
And, the most stunning part is – the visual transformation has not come at the cost of the practicality that epitomises the Activa.
The flat floorboard, comfortable riding position and great stowage are still here – just in a much nicer presentation.
Honda Activa 7G Technology That Knows Gen Z Slang
Aside the design revolution, the Activa 7G features a technology package that’s tailored-made to cater to the smartphone-friendly younger riders.
An analog-digital combo meter on current models is replaced by an all-digital LCD display on the high versions, which connects via Bluetooth to the RoadSync application offered by Honda.
On a demo ride I participated in at a dealer preview event the new system showed me turn-by-turn navigation, alert messages, and ride stats that were previously reserved for way more expensive scoots.
The menu system is clear and easy to navigate, while bright sunlight has little effect on the large and easy to read screen graphics.
“Young customers expect that all facets of their lives connect with their digital lives and we believe that their vehicles should connect as well,” said Vikram Singh, a technology consultant who has worked with several two-wheeler makers.
“The new Activa 6G would finally bring this connectivity feature to India’s best-selling scooter.
Those tech upgrades continue to the USB-C fast charging port also conveniently positioned for a phone mounted via the new integrated holder – a small detail but one that adds to the overall functionality for navigation-reliant young riders.
A robust, fully lined waterproof smart phone storage compartment allows for easy telephone access.
Voice control on the higher-specification versions is one feature that is generating a lot of excited chatter among younger riders.
And thanks to the app, which is paired to the scooter via Bluetooth, riders are even able to use their voice to adjust some functions – a first in this class.
Among college students who tested, it remains the most popular feature, especially for navigation and controlling music.
Honda Activa 7G Performance Tweaks To Go With The Premium Feel
In fact, the 7G’s makeover isn’t skin deep and/or technological – Honda has introduced significant mechanical improvements that answer to the performance expectations of the younger riders this machine is aimed at.
The 110cc powerplant makes appreciable refinements for low-end torque and throttle response, rather than outright power, to give young urban riders the kind of zippy acceleration they want for dashing through crowded traffic.
“We retuned the CVT to improve initial response without compromising economy,” said one engineer familiar with the project.
“We wanted the scooter to feel a bit more eager, a bit more responsive in everyday city riding scenarios.”
What is more significant is the move to telescopic front forks on all models – rather than the leading link suspension of the current base model.
This addition enhances the kid’s scooter performances, make the ride simple and stable, and offer younger kids one of their favorite things – squeeze the grip to turn.
Braking can be significantly improved with the front disc brake now fitted, at least to mid-level and above models, which was a common bashing point with the previous model.
Added to the refreshed CBS (Combined Braking System), stopping power and feel is increased dramatically – an important consideration for newer riders who are growing accustomed to the feel of braking.
In a short ride along Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex to watch a test rider flog the scooter through its paces, I remained impressed with just how stable the 7G looked during rapid direction changes and hard stops – two occurrences that are the norm for our unpredictable traffic.
Honda Activa 7G Lifestyle Integration: Above and Beyond Basic Transportation
So maybe the biggest change in Honda’s attitude to the 7G is that instead of seeing a two-wheeler being a mode of conveyance used by young’uns, they have adopted the thinking of kids who think of a two-wheeler as something that not related to lifestyle but rather a lifestyle accessory that they use to establish their style.
This is the insight that’s evident in little touches right across the scooter.
The underseat storage was given a refresh with dedicated compartments for everyday carry stuff like wallets, hand sanitizer, and face masks, prioritizing post-pandemic values.
One minor but standout feature is the built-in helmet hook with an elastic strap that holds a helmet to the scooter when parked — a huge ‘pain point’ for college students and young professionals.
Honda is said to be developing a second tier of official accessories aimed particularly at a younger market, such as colored seat covers, body graphics and matching riding gear.
Customization was a very key factor to consider when purchasing a scooter according to college students in the user clinics.
“Mera scooter mere personality ko reflect karna chahiye,” (My scooter should reflect my personality) 21-year-old design student Priya told me at a college campus clinic.
That’s a sentiment that Anna heard again and again, pointing to the significance of options for younger consumers.
Social media has been another object of preparation for Honda. And there are also many aspects of its design that feel like they’re designed to be “Insta-worthy” – from the unique lighting signatures, which photograph well, to the new meter display with personalized greetings.
The restyled key fob, with a high-end finish looks even designed for social sharing.
Honda Activa 7G Pricing And Buying Strategy: Costly, But Not Out Of Reach
So, all these additional features will obviously cost that bit more and the Activa 7G will be priced at a premium over the existing models.
The new machine is expected to be priced from around ₹ 79,000 (ex-showroom) for the base model going up to about ₹ 92,000 (ex-showrom) for the top-spec DLX model with all the premium bells and whistles and technology, sources close to Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India have said.
That’s anywhere from ₹5,000-8,000 more than equivalent existing models – a mark-up Honda is ready to gamble younger customers may be willing to pay to enjoy the dramatic step-up in design, technology, and performance.
“Young customers tend to push the envelope in terms of budget for features and style they connect with,” said Kulkarni with the dealership.
“A lot of them are willing to prolong their EMI period or give a slightly higher down payment to have the version with the premium features they desire.”
This kind of pricing pitches the top variants against the expensive 125s like the TVS NTorq Race XP and the Suzuki Burgman Street, in the hope that Honda brand reliability and the host of new things offered might make the customer choose the Activa despite the lower displacement.
Honda Activa 7G Market Impact and Timeline for Launch
We have been receiving information that Honda will be launching the Activa 7G in the next 6-8 weeks and that will be backed up by an extensive marketing campaign which will aim at the younger section of the society for it to take a bite out of the pie in that segment – unlike in the past where such ads would usually be aimed at families.
Fist dealers allocations are rumoured to be increased for college and corporate-office-rich areas, where the 7G’s youth profile is likely to prove especially popular.
The stakes are high for Honda. Activa has been ruling the roost in the scooter market since ages, but fierce competition from the newer feature-rich, stylish scooters has dented its magical touch with the younger segment.
The 7G is Honda’s most aggressive attempt yet to win back this fray without turning against the family buyers who are the very backbone of Activa’s success.
From what I’ve seen in the few public sightings I have of the test vehicles, they may have gotten the balance right. Agar yeh sach mein nayi Activa hai, toh mujhe definitely test ride karni padegi.”
“Activa toh yahan bhi chali ja sakti hain,” replied another young viewer at a Mumbai signal after spotting a camouflaged test mule. (If this is in fact the new Activa, I shall certainly have to take a test ride.)
For those seeking a balanced blend of form and function, the Activa 7G couldn’t have been released at a better time in a better form.
