Hi all,
This is my second review on mouthshut after my review on the TLOTR trilogy. Unlike my first review I will try and be as unbiased in this review as is humanly possible.
I have clocked 2500 km on the bike and it is now due for its second service, which brings us to one of the joys of owning a Hero Honda viz. the excellent after sales service extended all over the country. Moreover HH offers SIX free services as against only FOUR offerred by its competitors. Well this is only a prop, not really an advantage so lets get down to the pros and cons.
Mileage:
This is the first thing a prospective buyer looks at and in India it is indeed very important, especially in view of the rising fuel prices. My bike gives 55 kmpl in the city. There are instances where it has given 52 kmpl but then there are also instances of 58 kmpl, the figure I have given is the most consistent one.
Looks:
Looks are a purely subjective issue i.e. beautiful for one is ugly for another. Needless to say I like the looks, right from the CBZ fairing in the front to the slanted tail light at the back.
Ride and Handling:
It is a single downtube frame with the engine as a fully stressed member. This configuration has already proven its mettle in the CBZ and is very rigid and offers great stability in cornering. The ride is very good on the bike, I think HH has the best suspension in the market.
Braking:
I have a drums on both wheels and the braking offerred is excellent, there is no fade and the vehicle stops in a straight line. The only concern here is the skinny rear tyre which tends to lock(occasionally) in sudden braking conditions.
Performance:
One cannot speak about the performance of a bike in this segment without comparing it to the performance benchmark viz. the Bajaj Pulsar 150 dtsi. The ambition is definitely slower than the pulsar but not that slow, it is adequate, especially in the city route.
Reliablility:
This can definitely be counted among THE most reliable bikes in the market and retains the typically solid HH build. I hit a DCM Toyota at 40 kph head on and the only damage to the bike was a crack in the fornt fairing, bent (not broken) indicator and a slightly bent handle (which was instantly set straight by the dealer by tightening a few bolts). This only shows how solidly built the bike is. Also I typically ride at 50-60 kph for at least 20 km each day and never has the bike given any problem.
Gearbox:
This is definitely the best gearbox I have seen, precise in its actuation with absolutely no false neutrals (as is the case on the pulsar). The shift is smooth, slick and very reliable.
Service:
While six free services against four is no more than a prop, the quality of service offerred definitely isn’t! You see the service offerred in any HH showroom is extremely good (albeit expensive, but worth the price). Though the competion (read Bajaj and TVS) are trying to catch up it will take some time for these companies to build a reputation for service.
Cost:
I bought the bike for 52, 195 (On-road, Hyderabad for drum version and kick start). Pulsar and Fiero cost 57, 000 approx. (they come with discs but then they are also heavier bikes which are also faster). On the whole I am of the opinion that it is good value for money, especially given the fact that it costs only 3, 000 more than the passion!
OVERALL:
On the whole I think it is a VERY refined, efficient, comfortable and reliable bike which is slightly underpowered in view of the competition. So the choice is upto the buyer - Are you willing to let go about 1-1.5 bhp of power for refinement, comfort, reliability and service? Or is performance your prime priority? It is the answer to this question that will determine whether or not the HH Ambition 135 is the bike for you.
PS:
Please wear a helmet while riding (pillion included), the safety offerred is simply too good.
With increasing competion the bikes (Pulsar, Fiero, Ambition etc.) are so close that choosing a bike is almost wholly subjective.