Honda Activa 5G is India’s highest selling scooter. The number is so huge that even summing up sales of next two or three products will not even match its dominance in the Indian market. The fifth generation model evolved from a very basic scooter that was popular for its unmatched reliability and impressive fuel economy. The first generation Activa was launched in year 2000 and came with a 102cc engine. Activa 5G, on the other hand, is powered by a refined 109.19cc, fan cooled and carburetor fed engine producing 8 BHP at 7500 rpm and 9 Nm at 5500 rpm.
This engine comes with an automatic gearbox, making it easier for Activa riders to move ahead of slow moving traffic. It can be started through the electric starter or kick option available on the left side. Being a city specific product, Activa comes with just 5.3 liters of fuel carrying capacity. It measures 1761 mm in length, 710 mm in width and 1158 mm in height. These dimension help scooter owners maneuver through traffic conditions in the easiest possible manner. The scooter weighs 109 kg and claims 765 mm of decent seat height. Ground clearance is even impressive at 153 mm.
Active 5G comes with segment first features like LED headlight, semi-digital instrument console and all new locking mechanism with seat opening switch. Metallic body panels, chrome highlights, tubeless tyres, optional mobile charging socket, combination braking system and position lights make Activa 5G a fully loaded option to consider. It comes with 18 liters of under seat storage, making it good enough to store a full face helmet with ease. Side stand and footrest is offered as an accessory on Activa 5G. Buyers can go for trendy seat covers, floor mats and much more from their official accessory store.
The American multinational automaker, Ford has unraveled a cross-hatch version of the Ford Figo with a little more changes in the mix and have named it Ford Freestyle. It claims to be India’s first CUV.
For starters, some of the major changes include increased height, a new noteworthy front grille with a honeycomb design, increased bumper size with a silver skid plate and fender extensions, superior machine-cut 4-spoke alloy wheels, power tuning manifestation, C-shaped fog lamp enclosures and lot more.
The Ford Freestyle is the first Ford segment to acquire a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine that is known to produce a maximum power of 96 HP @ 6500 rpm and an utmost torque of 120 NM @ 4250 rpm. The diesel variant gets a 1.5 Litre, In-line 4-Cylinder engine that produces a maximum power of 100 HP @ 3750 rpm and a torque of 215 NM @ 1750-3000 rpm.
The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a much lighter clutch to handle the traffic well. Coming to the rear of the car, a silver plastic skid plate, faux vents, and a raised bumper give an overall clean look. 189 mm of increased ground clearance makes the cross-hatch an edge to tackle the Indian roads more precisely.
You can see a fully loaded interior in the Ford Freestyle which is something different from the Figo hatchback. A reddish brown dashboard gives a much more vibrant look with an overall chocolate black look gives the car a fresh feel. It supports a 6.5-inch screen Sync 3 touchscreen infotainment system which is a first for a Ford segment and is rather appealing.
The infotainment system gets two USB ports and is compatible with Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The keyless ignition, automatic climate control, convenient storage options and instrument cluster have taken the gear level up a bit. The car also gets Ford’s MyKey function that is perfect for managing the volume and speed limits to avoid any unwanted accidents.
Dual airbags and ABS are standard for every Freestyle model. Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Active Rollover Protection (ARP) and Traction Control (TSC) are also enabled in the higher versions of the cross-hatch.
The bookings for the Ford Freestyle will be starting on April 7, 2018, in India though, there has been no information regarding the launch date of the cross-hatch. We can expect somewhere near a month for its effective launch. When launched, it is expected to be priced in India at a starting price of INR 6.40 Lakh for the petrol variant and INR 7.30 Lakh for the diesel variant.
Yamaha Fazer 25 is priced at INR 1.29 Lakh in India (Ex-Showroom).
Shades
Soulful Cyan (Grey and Blue) and Rhythmic Red (Red and Gold)
Official Tagline
Great Stories Begin on Weekends
Warranty in India
2 Years or 30,000 kms (whichever is earlier)
Vehicle Overview
Yamaha Fazer 25 made an official debut with price tag of INR 1,29,335 in India. The faired motorcycle is purely based on FZ25, carrying the same 249cc, fuel injected engine producing 20.69 BHP and 20 Nm of torque. The engine comes mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The motorcycle was first expected with a dual headlight design but soon, spy shots of the same carrying a single headlight started arriving. Fans are disappointed up to some extent as Fazer series was known for its amazing design while practicality can even be achieved from the current design. Both the quarter liter motorcycles (FZ25 and Fazer 25) carry INR 10,000 of price difference and exactly identical yet highly practical frame under their visible body types.
MAXABOUT RATING & VERDICT
Design
Performance
Comfort
Fuel Economy
Features
Build Quality
Value for Money
Standout Features
Lightweight body, LED lights, Wide tyres
Should You Buy It?
If you love weekend touring, nothing will prove better than this new Yamaha Fazer 25.
ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
Engine Description
249cc, fuel injected, single-cylinder, Air cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 2-valve, Blue Core
KTM has earned a name to carve out the best race ready bikes in the market with premium features and best in class performance. The new variant of the naked street bike is no different and is targeted at a very niche segment. The 2017 KTM 390 Duke makes for the most awaited upgrade to the already successful naked street bike by the Austrian brand. KTM sorts out to give the owner a very premium feel as the new KTM 390 Duke looks like it is based on the 1290 Super Duke R, something which was missing in the previous smaller variants by the company. The naked street bike now looks more aggressive and is now loaded with all new features.
The KTM 390 Duke looks a little overpriced at a starting price crossing INR 2.25 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi) but it belongs to a segment which is driven by brand value and best in industry performance parameters and not by price. It is noteworthy though that the Indian market remains a price conscious country with the likes of Dominar 400 making it as an option. The Bajaj Dominar 400 comes with same engine and even the ABS version is priced at INR 1.50 lakhs. Although the KTM Duke relies more on the fan following of the brand. And KTM seems to justify the price with its best in segment design, performance and fully loaded feature list.
Dimensions & Weight
Also there have been many changes in the dynamics as far has the dimension are concerned. The new KTM 390 Duke 2017 now gets a bigger fuel tank with 13.5 litre capacity as compared to 11 litres on the previous version. Also now the new upgrade gets a shorter wheelbase with an increased ground clearance. The 390 Duke 2017 version has a seat height of 830 mm while it previously model had a seat height of 800 mm. The ground clearance has jumped up to 185 mm from 170 mm. The new version of 390 duke is heavier than the old model and it now has a wet weight of 155 kg.
Design & Style
The new addition to the KTM 390 Duke gets all the much needed visual upgrades. It now looks sharper, more aerodynamically built and is much much more aggressive than its previous version. The design language is essentially built on the monster 1290 Super Duke. The extended tank shrouds on the 390 Duke also add a very sharp appeal to the bike. The design proves to be a mastery of aerodynamic engineering with impressive styling.
As far as the graphics are concerned, the Duke looks much more orange in the standard shade than before and is easier to the eye. The new Duke also gets bifurcated LED headlamps which adds more beauty to the package. Not only does the new model is a marvel as far as sharp edged styling is concerned it also looks like a aesthetically carved out art piece which is an achievement by the company. The extended tank shrouds are also sharper and add to the look of the fuel tank. Overall, the beast looks like a mini version of the beastly 1290 Super Duke R. The bike sports a steel trellis frame and new Duke 390 is now also available in White shade in India in limited numbers.
Instrument Console
2017 KTM Duke 390 has an all-new TFT digital console which is royally placed above the handle bars with a typical Duke design. The all-digital instrument console features all essential detailing display like speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge and adds extra details with clock, rpm display and topped up with an ABS light. The new Duke has a 5 inch TFT display and the 2017 model also allows the rider to connect a smartphone to the bike. You can access the contacts, accept/make a phone call, listen to music and a lot more using the my-ride controls placed on the left side of the handle bar.
2017 Duke 390 gets the same 373.2 cc single stroke water cooled engine with upgraded performance parameters. The engine gives out a maximum power of 42.90 @ 9000 rpm (same power) and gives out a maximum torque of 37 Nm @ 7000 rpm (35 Nm on the previous model). The engine is mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox with a slipper clutch. Also, now the new engine is tuned to the BS4 complaint norms.
Top Speed & Performance
Performance wise the KTM 390 Duke is not just a visual upgrade over previous generation but it takes performance way ahead of the old 390 Duke. The bike has an estimated top speed of 170 kmph and makes it from 0 to 100 in about 5.60 seconds which is quite impressive. Also it has an estimated mileage of 25-30 kmpl. The bike as carried by KTM is a winner when it comes to performance department. Also as the company claims the street bike has the lowest weight in class making sure that it achieves what it is built for.
Brakes & Suspension
The new 390 Duke gets bigger 320 mm front disc brake with four pot calliper. The rear disc brakes remain the same with 230 mm diameter and one pot calliper. The bike makes use of 43 mm upside down forks and WP mono-shock rear suspension. The premium street fighter bike also gets a 9.1 MB 2-channel ABS adding up to the safety and reliability of the mini monster.
Features and Comfort
The street fighter also gets all new updated features such as the ride by wire system. The KTM 390 Duke gives the rider a great biking posture and ensures one hell of an experience for the owner. The presence of LED lights with bifurcated headlamps and TFT color instrument panel display are another mention worthy add-ons to the package. It also gets new pillion grab rail and smart phone integration. It also gets an all new trellis steel frame with a white sub-frame.
Variants & Shades
The new KTM 390 Duke does not disappoint on the visual appeal front and the bike is available in 2 shades in India – Orange and White (Limited Units). The single variant although highly priced has been launched with a dual channel ABS system. The front tyre provided here is 110/70 R17 and the rear tyre is 150/60 R17 (Metzeler).
Pricing and Competition
The supermodel bike is priced at an Ex-showroom Delhi cost of INR 2,25,730. KTM seems to have inflated the price of the current model by about 30,000 but they also justify the price with all new godly design and fully loaded feature list. The 390 Duke is a delight for fans in the country becoming a much needed upgrade for the latest generation.
Being a premium class street beast it faces competition from the likes of Kawasaki Z250, Benelli TNT 300 and Honda CBR250R ABS in the segment. All these models come at different prices. The Bajaj Dominar provides a sharp contrast to every rival in the segment keeping the price in the range of 1.36 lakhs to 1.50 lakhs (with ABS) becoming the least expensive in the segment.
Verdict
The KTM 390 Duke is an extremely elegant naked street bike with a premium feel. The 390 Duke comes with the most impressive visual upgrades and packs a whole lot of features such as LED headlamps, smart phone integration and ride by wire support.
The success of the upgrade will depend on the brand loyalty of KTM Duke enthusiasts. The bike is something to be cherished for a long time as it breaks many industry standards in terms of performance and class. Also it is something to be appreciated that the company gets the same sharpness and appeal from the KTM 1290 Duper Duke R.
