As far as automatic scooters are concerned, I’m not sure we’re out of the rut yet. There’s not much to separate one from another. They are all more or less similar - engine capacities are between 100 and 125cc, styling isn’t very different and performances and efficiencies aren’t a world apart either. Manufacturers don’t really want to step away from this set format and aren’t trying anything new. Even a front disc brake is a luxury, and Honda’s Aviator for quite some time now has been the only scooter to get an optional front disc brake. Until TVS Motors launched the Wego a couple of years back, it was also the only scooter to get telescopic forks. The Wego never got a disc brake though, until now. We’ve always favoured disc brakes over drums despite the small premium but scooter manufacturers say customers do not want to pay more.
The Wego has been one of our favourites at OVERDRIVE for quite some time, one of the reasons for which is its handling. Till date the Wego is the only scooter to use 12-inch wheels at both ends, which gives it the edge in dynamics. Add to that a peppy yet fuel efficient engine and you know why it won our Scooter of the Year award in 2011 and continued to remain our favourite until the Suzuki Swish ousted it from its perch. I always wanted to see the Wego get a front disc brake given its enthusiastic handling, and TVS has finally done that. The disc brake version of the Wego has been in production for quite some time now, but only for exports. TVS has finally launched the Wego in the country with a 220mm disc brake upfront. I was keen on finding out how it felt, especially in stop and go city traffic which is the scooter’s typical domain. Hence I decided to pitch it against Honda’s Aviator, the only other scooter on sale with a disc brake.
The front disc brake is the only mechanical change to the Wego, and the powertrain and performance remain the same. As expected the disc brake feels far superior than the drum brake in terms of feel and confidence. It works well with the 12-inch wheels and telescopic forks, making for safer, quicker stops. The Honda Aviator on the other hand got engine updates recently in the form of Honda’s new Eco technology which amounts for an increase in fuel efficiency. However, other mechanicals remain the same and the Aviator continues to use a 190mm rotor on the front wheel. The Aviator scores better than the Wego in terms of feel and confidence despite using a smaller disc, primarily due to Honda’s combined braking system (CBS). The difference in feel is instantly noticeable - the Aviator’s unit provides instant bite and feels sharp, while the Wego has a progressive feel to it, and feels more friendly, especially for someone new to using a disc brake, making it easier to adapt to for first time buyers and women.
We know from experience that all Honda scooters have benefitted thanks to the CBS since it applies both brakes simultaneously when the rear brake lever is pulled, reducing braking distances and adding to the rider’s confidence. The Aviator has benefitted the most with the disc brake, and our brake test showed that the Aviator is the quicker of the two to come to a full stop from 40kmph. It’s front disc brake working in sync with the 130mm rear drum had the Honda stop in 2.15 seconds covering 9.27 metres, while the TVS covered 11.02 metres before coming to a halt in 3.27 seconds. The Aviator’s instant bite also made it easier to pull stoppies, though the Wego wasn’t far behind when it came to hauling the rear up.
The TVS Wego with the disc brake retails at Rs 49,157 ex-showroom, New Delhi, as opposed to Rs 45,807 for the drum braked version. Given the worthiness of the disc brake, the Rs 3000 premium is justified, and we would recommend the disc brake version to anyone buying a Wego. The Honda Aviator retails at Rs 53,547 ex-showroom New Delhi for the disc braked version with the added bonus of the CBS. It feels better in terms of braking but commands a premium of over Rs 4000. The Wego thus makes for a better choice amongst the two, offering nearly the same braking performance in a more friendly manner at a lower price. This, we hope though is just the beginning for the scooter segment to get better and improved technology, just like motorcycles in our country.
(TVS Wego with disc brake vs Honda Aviator with disc brake)
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