Honda Cliq: All You Need To Know

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has launched the company's least expensive scooter, the Honda Cliq. It's available in two variants - STD and Deluxe. Both variants have the same engine and basic design, but the Deluxe gets some added graphics for Rs. 500 more. Honda says the new Cliq is targeted at the rural and semi-urban markets, but that shouldn't stop anyone living in cities from buying it. We have compared the Cliq to the Activa and Dio from Honda's stable, as well as the Navi. But what is the Honda Cliq, and what does it offer to the prospective automatic scooter buyer? Here's a look at all you need to know about the new Honda Cliq.

Honda Cliq

1. Design and Features?

It's an all-new scooter from Honda Motorcycles and Scooter India (HMSI). The design is completely new, with new plastic bodywork, like the Honda Navi, but gets a refreshing new front apron, with snazzy graphics and is available in four new colours. The basic platform is borrowed from the Honda Activa. At 102 kg, the Honda Cliq weighs 6 kg less than the Honda Activa, so it's lighter, agile and more easier to handle. The Honda Cliq gets 10-inch steel wheels and suspension is shared with the Activa as well, but it gets rugged block pattern tyres designed to take on rough roads and the like. Underseat storage isn't much at 14 litres, and is useful to store some knick knacks, or a small half-face helmet, but it isn't enough to store a standard full face helmet.

Honda Cliq

2. Who is it for?

HMSI says the new Honda Cliq is designed for rural and semi-urban markets. The target customer base is the quintessential commuter motorcycle user, and Honda wants to wean away some of those customers with an automatic scooter with a similar price range. So, the Cliq is priced very competitively, starting at Rs. 42,499 (ex-showroom Delhi). Primarily, Honda wants to grab a share of the market largely dominated by 100-110 cc motorcycles, offering an automatic scooter which promises to serve different requirements and also different members of the family. So, it can be used by the rural businessman or farmer, and also double up as a daily commute to the office or college, and also take on shopping duties.

Honda Cliq

3. Is it fuel efficient?

Honda says the Cliq offers average fuel consumption figures of around 60 kmpl. It gets a smaller 3.5-litre fuel tank than the Activa (5.3 litres), but is claimed to have a range of nearly 200 km on a tankful of fuel. In real world conditions, expect slightly lower efficiency figures, depending on individual riding style, traffic and road conditions.  Sure, it's not as fuel efficient as some 100-110 cc commuter motorcycles, and the small fuel tank will mean more frequent trips to the fuel station.

Honda Cliq

4. Market Positioning and Competition

Honda clearly says the Cliq is targeted at a segment dominated by 100-110 cc motorcycles. The rural market is where these bikes see the most sales. While Honda dominates the 125 cc motorcycle segment with the Honda CB Shine, the smaller commuter segment sales is dominated by erstwhile partner Hero MotoCorp as well as Bajaj Auto, with products like the Hero HF Deluxe (Rs.42,830) and the Bajaj Platina 100 (Rs. 42,646). Additionally, at Rs. 42,499 (ex-showroom Delhi), the Honda Cliq will also offer a far less expensive proposition than the Honda Activa 4G (Rs. 50,730).

For more on the new Honda Cliq, read our first ride review.