The Honda Lead 125 seems like the perfect scooter for our market. Read on to find out why
Honda has an extensive scooter lineup abroad with many offerings that we’d love to see on our streets.
One such scooter is the newly updated Honda Lead 125, which actually looks like a mature version of the long-gone Activa-i and it packs a lot of kit, making it quite suitable for India.
Key Highlights
- Honda has updated the Lead 125 in Japan
- The scooter now gets Honda’s start-stop system
- It comes packed with LED illumination, a USB charger, and a semi-digital instrument cluster
Honda Lead 125 Design
The scooter’s design looks like a grown-up version of the long-gone Honda Activa-i
As mentioned above, the Honda Lead 125 looks similar to the Activa-i. Right from its headlight shape and the surrounding bodywork to the tail section and front indicators, all remind us of the Activa-i.
Though similar-looking, the Lead 125 actually looks much more mature than Activa-i. This is courtesy of the chrome elements, LED headlight, stylish alloy wheels, and grown-up colour options.
It comes in four colours, our favourite one being the matte silver option (shown here)
Speaking of colours, the 2022 Lead 125 is offered in four paint schemes – Pearl White, Pearl Dark Blue, Poseidon Black, and Matte Silver Metallic.
Between these, we like the Matte Silver Metallic the most, as it gets black inserts all around, which makes the scooter look quite sporty. Plus, the scooter emblem and the disc brake caliper are finished in red for added attention to detail.
Honda Lead 125 Features
It packs features like LED illumination, keyless ignition, and a semi-digital instrument cluster
The Honda Lead 125 is quite ripe with features that complement the likable design. It gets:
- LED illumination
- Front cubby storage with a USB Type-C port
- Keyless ignition
- Apron-mounted fuel-tank lid
- Semi-digital instrument cluster
Along with this, you also get a massive 37-litre under seat storage, as the fuel tank is positioned upfront. For reference, the Ola S1 e-scooter has a 36-litre boot space, the highest for an Indian scooter.
Honda Lead 125 Engine & Suspension
For 2022, the Lead’s 124cc, single-cylinder engine gains a new start-stop system to boost efficiency
For 2022, the only notable update for the Lead 125 comes to its engine. While the 124cc, single-cylinder unit is mostly unchanged, it now gains Honda’s start-stop system to boost efficiency. Meanwhile, its power output remains unchanged at 11PS and 12Nm, which is actually more than India’s most powerful 125cc scooter, the TVS NTorq Race XP.
The motor is housed in an underbone chassis, sprung on telescopic forks and swingarm-mounted mono-shock. Additionally, the scooter tips the scale at just 116kg while boasting an accessible seat height of 760mm.
Honda Lead 125 India Launch
Honda has unveiled the 2022 Lead 125 scooter overseas
Judging from the package, the Honda Lead 125 seems like the perfect successor to the Activa-i and should sell like hot cakes in our country, if priced right.
Speaking of price, the Lead 125 retails for Rs 2.1 lakh (on-road) in its hometown, Japan. While this is quite high by Indian standards, if (and that’s a big ‘IF’) Honda does bring the Lead 125 here, it’ll probably be a lot more affordable.
However, if you’re looking for a good, sporty 125cc scooter in India, take a look at the new Suzuki Avenis.
Keyword: This Is What The Next-gen Honda Activa-i Should Be Like