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Gearless go-getters
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Mahindra has revved up the gearless scooter market with its first two-wheeler, the Flyte, even as Honda’s flagship product, the Aviator continues to fly high. Rishad Cooper takes a ride
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Mahindra took the Kinetic model as it was and transformed it into the new Mahindra Flyte, keeping the trusty SYM (Sanyang Industry Company, Taiwan)-designed template a constant but improving on Kinetic’s manufacturing techniques and upping quality levels.
The 124.6cc Flyte has a lot going for it given that it is Mahindra’s first two-wheeler. Still, it must brave the best in the business, especially Honda’s flagship Indian scooter, the Aviator.
These two scooters have very distinctive profiles — the Flyte has a sleek, small silhouette that will appeal more to women, the Aviator looks bulky and sports decidedly macho lines. The Mahindra’s raked front apron with flush indicators smartly doubles up as a mudguard, in contrast to Honda’s pointedly European-looking fender that sits just under its rounded panel. While the Flyte uses more ABS moulded panels, the Aviator deploys a mix-and-match of stronger metal, with ABS panels used where possible. Both scooters come with evenly matched switches as well as good levers.
Let’s talk features. The Mahindra comes with a four-in-one locking system that operates the handle lock, magnetic key lock and fuel filler lid in addition to the ignition. The fuel filler lid is conveniently located at the front, which means riders and pillions needn’t dismount. Plus, the Flyte comes with extra storage cubbyholes which are good to put away a few knick-knacks, in addition to the lockable underseat storage bays that come standard on both scooters. The Flyte has a chic handlebar and its headlight provides good illumination while the Aviator has a more conventional and rounded handlebars.
Both come with flat, broad and comfy footboards and wide seats that run back to alloy grab-handles. However, the Flyte would do well to perk up its rear footrests. As with most modern scooters, you don’t find spare tyres bolted to the rear of either model. A difference is that the Aviator offers puncture-resistant, gell-layered tyres.
Overall, the Flyte comes with adequate quality, good build, fit-and-finish, rubber parts and a nice paint lustre. Honda has also ensured all these key elements are at exceptional levels.
The Flyte comes with a cubic capacity advantage of 124.6cc. The Aviator has a smaller capacity 102cc engine. The two scooters’ four-stroke engines are very similar, using air-cooled and cast-iron single cylinders with long-stroke dimensions and twin-valve heads. The alloy-encased Flyte and Aviator power plants are electric started with meticulously tuned CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) — gearboxes that make them really ideal companions in crowded city traffic conditions.
The Flyte outputs a peak power number of 8bhp developed at 7000rpm, the precise engine speed at which an Aviator makes 7bhp. The Mahindra crankshaft also twists out 0.91kgm of torque at 5500rpm, while the Honda spins out 0.8kgm.
Both carburettor-fed scooters frequently call for tugs on their manual choke pullers before clearing their throats and getting into the swing of things when starting with a cold engine.
The Flyte has a louder, gruffer exhaust tone while the Aviator’s thoroughbred purr is barely audible. Throttle response feels relatively better on the Flyte as it leaps off the blocks with a crisp feel. The Aviator’s engine always runs smoothly and is vibe-free.
Honda’s brilliantly engineered and time-tested unit, enjoys a silken powerband, and to its credit proved capable of keeping up with the more powerful Flyte at the performance stakes.
Both offer wide saddles and upright riding postures suited to city commuting. They belong to the new breed of Indian scooters that use telescopic front forks, and install their engines as stressed members in tubular frames with a single, hydraulic shock absorber to cushion their rear.
The Aviator, thanks to its larger 12-inch front wheel and tyre, turns into corners quicker and with a more reassuring feel. Which isn’t to say there’s anything wrong with the Flyte’s handling.
It is agile and easy to flick around corners and in crowded city traffic. The Aviator’s suspension is stiffer, which is why the Flyte’s ride quality feels more comfy at low speeds. But it also means the Aviator holds its line better when negotiating corners and dealing with poor roads at relatively higher speeds. Mahindra’s scooter is capable of 37.7kpl in real-world city riding conditions. The Aviator returned 41kpl. Likewise, the Flyte managed 39.4kpl on its highway run, while the Honda Aviator returned as much as 46.1kpl.
Mahindra, which has big ambitions on two wheels, seems to have made a good start with the rebadged Flyte, which is now a qualitatively better product. Small and light, it makes for a great runabout particularly for women. But it’s also man enough to handle tough stuff and comes equipped with plenty of rider conveniences, a good engine and surefooted handling. All at an attractive price.
The Aviator attracts with its top-class build quality and a refined, efficient powerplant. Stable handling and superior fuel economy, always key parameters in India, help it to holds its own.
Technical Data
Honda Aviator
Price Rs. 44,216 (ex-showroom, Pune)
Engine
Layout Single-cylinder,
air-cooled, four-stroke
Displacement 102cc
Max power 7bhp at 7000rpm
Max torque 0.8kgm at 5500rpm
Gearbox
TypeVariomatic
suspension
Front Telescopic forks
Rear Stressed engine, single shock
Wheels & tyres
Made of pressed steel/
5-spoke alloys
Tyres
(f-r) 90/ 90 x 12- 3.50 x 10 inches
Brakes
Front190mm disc/
130mm drum
Rear 130mm drum
Braking
60-0kph 16.79m/1.91s
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Mahindra Flyte
Price Rs. 38,999 (ex-showroom, Pune)
Engine
Layout Single-cylinder,
air-cooled, four-stroke
Displacement 124.6cc
Max power 8bhp at 7000rpm
Max torque 0.91kgm at 5500rpm
Gearbox
Type Variomatic
suspension
Front Telescopic forks
Rear Stressed engine, single shock
Wheels & tyres
Made of pressed steel
Tyres (f-r) 3.50 x 10- 3.50 x 10 inches
Brakes
Front 130mm drum
Rear 130mm drum
Braking
60-0kph 16.49m/2.17s
Speedo Error
Speedo kph/True kph
20/18, 40/37, 60/57, 80/77
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