Flight check

Honda continues to reinvent the scooter market.

Honda kicked off the two-wheeled adventure at the 9th Auto Expo with the unveiling of their fourth scooter for India, the Aviator. The Aviator, to be launched nationwide on March 6, is based on the Activa, but aims for a more mature, male audience.

The scooter uses the same 102cc engine that powers the popular Activa, but the big changes are in the chassis department. Honda will introduce the countries first 12-inch wheels on a scooter, expected to make a significant different to the stability and feel of the scooter.

The top-end variant will also get alloy wheels and the disc brake mounted to the front telescopic fork. Honda expects the Aviator to continue the success of Honda's gearless scooters, which currently hold a dominant 54 per cent market share.

The Aviator's styling is all new, using a combination of metal and plastic panels. The design also boosts the practicality of the scooter with a larger under-seat storage space. Honda will sell the Aviator for an Activa-like price tag of Rs 39,675 ex-showroom when it goes on sale in early March.

Also at the Honda stall were two Unicorn-based concepts labelled CBF, both showing off a more aggressive look for the motorcycle. Significantly, both motorcycles were shown with twin rear shocks.

Honda officials said, 'These concepts were primarily intended to gauge market response.' Honda also showed off the CBR600RR (middle-weight supersports), the CB600F Hornet (a naked bike based on the CBR600RR engine and the CBR1000RR (Honda's sportbike flagship). Honda is considering a CBU line of products and Honda says that 2009 is a good bet should all the legalities fall into place.