Honda Livo 110 Test Ride Review

• Aug 13, 2015
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Ever since Honda split up with Hero, their main aim was to try and increase the share in the commuter segment currently ruled by Hero Moto Corp Ltd. Ours is a country that is obsessed with mileage and no matter how many performance oriented motorcycles come and go, it is the commuter segment that yields maximum profit for any manufacturer. This segment is evidently dominated by Hero and every other manufacturer is trying hard to grab their own share of the pie, by introducing better products that are good looking, light weight, have sufficient power and most of all, deliver more mileage. Honda has joined this segment with a new product called the 'Livo'. It is their latest and the most premium offering in the segment.

How does the Livo fare in this segment? Read on to find out

Rider's Note: The Livo is one of the best all round commuters I have ridden in recent times. It has everything a commuter must possess- good looks, good suspension set up, long seat, comfortable riding posture, power, premium feel and most of all, good enough mileage at a premium price tag.

Styling:

Being a premium offering from Honda, this sure is one of the best looking commuters. The Livo sports a sleek, angular and an aggressive front end. The bike looks big, thanks to the headlight assembly. The trapezoid headlight unit combined with simulated scoops lend it a distinctive look. The tank looks muscular with sharp cuts. The rear end has good finishing with the stubby exhaust giving it a sportier look. What we loved the most on the bike, is the all black treatment and minimal graphics thereby increasing the motorcycle's appeal! Lastly, the 3D Honda logo on the fuel tank extension enhances the beauty of the bike. Grab rails and the unique saree guard make their presence felt in a good way. Instrument Cluster and Switchgears:

Honda has chosen an analogue instrument cluster which gels very well with the overall design though we feel they could have upgraded to a digital or analogue-digital unit considering the premium price tag. The cluster has two hexagonal sections, one having the speedometer and odometer, another having the fuel gauge with "Livo" text in print. Tell-tale lights are placed in between these two hexagonal sections. Switchgear is of good quality for the price and fit n finish is top notch! Ergonomics:

For a commuter bike, this is one of those aspects, that can make it; or break it. The bike is very comfortable and the seat is soft and wide. Both rider and pillion can sit very comfortably and there's enough room to move around. Both short and tall riders should have no problem with the riding posture of this bike. Next, coming to the suspension, we were really pleased with the suspension set up. We took the bike on bad roads and the suspension setup did not disappoint us. The ride was plush and most of the bumps were absorbed by the suspension without sending shocks up the rider's body. Engine & Performance:

Powering the Livo, is the same 110cc engine from Honda Twister. It produces maximum power of 8.2 Bhp at 7500 rpm and maximum torque of 8.63 Nm at 5500 rpm mated to a 4 speed gearbox (all up pattern). The engine, like any typical Honda is butter-smooth! Torque is delivered in decent amount from the low range (assisted with short gearing in the initial ratios), making it easy for the bike to move from standstill. We really enjoyed how smooth the engine and gearbox was. A slight touch on the gear lever is enough to change gears.

Even though the bike makes good amount of torque at low rpm, we did feel that the torque and power spread should had been linear. While climbing inclines, we had to change gears every now and then, though the reader should note that we were riding with a pillion. Apart from that, the bike performed well. It can easily cruise at 60-65 kph after which vibrations start to become noticeable. The ride quality is plush. Maneuvering the bike in traffic is piece of cake. Overall, the bike's performance is good. Coming to the mileage aspect, Honda claims 74 kpl, but in the real world, it purely depends upon the riding style and prevailing conditions the bike is ridden in! Expecting 65-68 kpl should be decent, but at the same time; it may seem less compared to its key competitors. Riding Dynamics:

For a bike that belongs to the commuter segment, Livo handles very well, thanks to its diamond frame and wheelbase of 1285 mm. The bike we rode came shod with CEAT tyres and it offered us good grip, both in wet and dry conditions. The braking on the bike has very good feedback and is progressive. We did once get the rear wheel locked on hard braking, but the front had absolutely no such issues. Our test bike came with front drum brakes, which had very good feedback and we certainly expect even better feedback with the disc brake variant. Verdict:

This is the toughest part for a buyer in the market today, when he's spoilt for choices!

If you are one of those people out there looking for something stylish, with a butter-smooth engine, plush ride quality, with decent mileage and do not mind shelling out a little extra, look no further as the Honda Livo is the bike for you! Livo may be priced slightly higher than its competitors and may return less mileage, but the ride quality makes up for it. We feel it deserves a premium price tag for what it has to offer. Finally, we thank Mr Thimmaiah (GM), Heritage Honda Mysuru and all the crew for their support.