Kinetic DX

Few scooters in India carry the same legendary status as the Kinetic Honda DX. Back in the late 80s and early 90s, it was known for its hassle-free, gearless riding experience, practicality, and convenience. In many ways, it was ahead of its time.

Now, decades later, the Kinetic DX has made a comeback, albeit in an all-new electric avatar. The new DX has entered a highly competitive electric scooter space where performance, range, and features matter just as much as practicality and convenience.

The question is, can it recreate the same magic as its predecessor? Or is it just a nostalgic revival of an iconic nameplate?

The new Kinetic DX is designed keeping the nostalgic value intact. And that’s not a bad thing, because it is instantly recognisable as a Kinetic. Right from the large headlamp with the ‘tall visor’, the boxy silhouette, the flat and clean side panels, and even the signature side vents, everything harks back to the OG scooter. It does get a few modern touches, like flush-fitting footpegs, LED lighting, and Kinetic logo-shaped LED DRLs.

That said, I wish Kinetic had given equal importance to its fit and finish. The quality levels are just about average, with inconsistent panel gaps and sharp edges at various places. Even the material quality and overall fit and finish aren’t on par with the competition. The switchgear layout, too, is unconventional and feels cluttered. It will take quite some time to get used to the layout. In fact, I had to take my eyes off the road to register a function. And that isn’t ideal from a safety perspective.

The Kinetic DX is powered by a hub-mounted BLDC motor producing around 4.7kW. Although it isn’t segment-leading, it’s adequate for everyday urban use. You also get three riding modes: Range, Power, and Turbo, which alter the scooter's throttle response and top speed.

It uses a 2.6kWh LFP battery pack that offers an IDC range of 102km on the DX trim and 105km on the DX+ variant. The top-spec model comes with an on-board charger that takes three hours to charge the scooter from 0-80 per cent. The charger is neatly tucked inside the front apron and can be pulled out whenever needed. No need to haul a big charger in the boot. Meanwhile, the standard model gets a bundled off-board charger.

As for the features, the Kinetic DX comes loaded with an 8.8-inch digital display that looks similar in design to the original DX. This console supports Bluetooth connectivity and comes with built-in speakers. Other features include Cruise control, hill hold assist, and a reverse mode. The DX+ trim further gets telematics as part of the package.

You also get 37 litres of under-seat storage for added practicality, which can accommodate two small helmets with ease. However, it doesn’t take a full-blown race helmet. The scooter also comes with a keyless start system, which comes devoid of a physical key and relies on a passcode to operate the scooter.

The Kinetic DX isn't a performance electric scooter, and that is evident from its modest output figures. There's a linear build-up of power right from the get-go, and the throttle response feels smooth for the most part.

You get three ride modes: Range, Power, and Turbo. The Range mode limits the speed to 50kmph and dials down the power delivery significantly. It is ideal to extract the maximum range out of the scooter, but the throttle response is quite dull, and you can barely keep up with the traffic.

The Power mode improves the throttle response, and there's more power on tap to keep up with the traffic. The Turbo mode is the ideal mode to be in, with a crisp throttle response and enough power to surge to its 90kmph top speed. I was also able to use cruise control during the ride, and it works anywhere over 20kmph. However, you can't increase or decrease the speed on the go, and the function cancels itself if you accelerate or brake. This was a bit counterintuitive.

During our short stint with the scooter, we didn't encounter any corners. However, courtesy of its low kerb weight, the scooter felt nimble on its feet, and it was easy to change directions in traffic. It isn't sharp like some of the sporty EVs, but responsive enough for a family scooter.

The suspension, meanwhile, is a mixed bag. The front feels planted across various conditions, but the rear is tuned on the firmer side. The rear ride feels stiff, especially over bad surfaces, and it sends unpleasant kickbacks if you encounter a patch of rumblers or sharp-edged expansion joints.

As for the brakes, they do a decent job of stopping the scooter without much drama. The front could do with a stronger bite and more stopping power, but the rear brake more than makes up for it.

Kinetic has done a decent job of reviving the DX nameplate and bringing back the recognisable design. Beyond the nostalgia, it offers a decent feature list, a practical boot space, smooth performance and a usable range.

However, it falls short in areas that matter in today’s competitive EV space. The fit and finish, switchgear usability, and ride quality at the rear leave a lot of room for improvement. It also doesn’t set any new benchmarks in the segment. Moreover, Kinetic’s service network and reliability are another question mark.

Nonetheless, if you’re drawn by Kinetic’s legacy and want a simple, no-fuss electric family scooter, the DX still has its own unique charm.

Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi