HONDA AIR BLADE SCOOTER
When viewing the Honda AirBlade for the first time, it immediately becomes apparent that it is a quality product, unlike numerous lesser brand scooters on the market today. The fit and finish is excellent and all materials used are good quality in typical Honda fashion. It is clear that the Air Blade has been designed to last and to be reliable like all Hondas.
Scooter riding is taking off all over the world, and rightly so for many reasons. Congested roads, high fuel prices, pollution, global warming to name a few. More and more people are realising that it not only makes sense, but it’s also FUN!
When I first rode the Air Blade, I was struck by how user friendly it is. The scooter is light and easy to manoeuvre and is easy to move in and out of the garage etc. It is powered by a fuel injected 110cc 4 stroke engine, which produces about 6,7Kw (9 hp), which may not sound like a lot, but it is quite sufficient for what it was designed for, which is urban use. The CVT transmission works fantastically and is almost seamless, although it does take some getting used to initially. Performance on the Air Blade is adequate, with the scooter out accelerating most cars up to 70km/h (44mph), and then steadily accelerating up to a comfortable cruising speed of around 90km/h (56mph), with speeds of over 100km/h (62mph) attainable if you wish.
A feature which sets the Honda Air Blade apart from many other scooters is its 14 inch wheels, which provide greater stability than the wheel barrow sized wheels found on lesser brands. This greatly improves handling and safety on rougher roads and makes for a far more confidence inspiring ride. It also has Honda’s legendary combined braking system, which splits the brake force between the front and rear brakes, dramatically improving safety under heavy braking.When applying the rear brake it automatically applies some brake force to the front brake. This system is very effective in preventing wheel lock up and skidding under heavy braking.
With fuel prices at record highs, you’ll be pleased to know that fuel consumption figures of 40 to 45km/litre (95 to 107 mpg) are easily attainable on the Air Blade! Honda claim that the fuel injected engine is 15% more fuel efficient than equivalent carburettor fed engines and produce 80% less emissions. So the Honda Air Blade is shaping up to be quite a sensible choice for someone who needs a nippy urban run around, add to that the fact it has lots of storage space under the seat and in two small consoles in front and you have a fun, cheap and practical and reliable way to get around. You also have the backing of Honda, which has to count for something when you compare what’s out there. Storage space under the seat is generous and easily swallows up a bag of groceries without any trouble at all. The combination of the storage space, the comfortable floor boards and the CVT Transmission makes for a convenient “hop on and go” scooter, which will get you from A to B in an urban environment quicker and cheaper than most other forms of transport.
