This is the first time I am writing a review at Mouthshut, so " Kindly Adjust".
Well, I bought this bike just one and half months back and have done 750 kms so far. I am not sure about the exact model no., but it is the latest model of 2011 with digital trip meter etc. I am not sure is this time frame sufficient to write a review, but would still like to share somethings_
The overall looks are great. Mine is a black & Silver model. I actually got bystanders staring at my bike and talking and inquiring at various chowks at traffic signal and at roadside when I had stopped due to rain. I want to say that it just has the right looks for the present era as compared the other bikes like Hunk etc which actually overdo it.
I got the mileage of exactly 40 kms/ltr on first full tank of petrol in city traffic. This is a lower than the Splendor model bike I had from 1998, which gave me 55 kms/Ltr right from day one till now. So a little sad about that. Hope this would improve over period. However I am not optimistic about it as I am not sure it would increase with time. My Splendor earlier had given the 55 kms/Ltr mileage right from day one as mentioned earlier. So, this bike too should maintain the same mileage of 40 kms/ltrs in future. Why would it increase? Could anybody throw some light on this? Anyway, I am reasonably happy even with 40 kms/Ltr but would have liked more mileage. But I always wondered with all the latest fuel injection system they talk about the mileage is low. Shall be grateful if somebody could advice how to improve it in city traffic.
This bike is from Hero Honda. As I had said above, I had Splendor for what 14 years, and was very impressed with very low maintenance and superior, aesthetically good looking and built to last longer type of build. So, I was clear I had to go for Hero Honda only. It has long lasting quality and durability.
The digital trip meter is very good. The overall kms done meter or whatever you call it is also good in the digital display.
The digital fuel tank gauge is not highly accurate and somewhat less reliable.( this may be true with other bikes also, or the technology used may have limitations for precise or near accurate reading) It is better to be prepared to shift to Reserve fuel tank capacity when it is near about time. They could have improved the accuracy. However the reserve fuel capacity is I believe 2 ltrs, so sufficient to have a fill some time later.
The display design is very good. The fuel tank capacity of almost 14 ltrs roughly is great and needed with lower mileage compared to my earlier bike.
I had no problem at all with riding posture or any fatigue with that. It is excellent. The handlebar design is comforting. I believe this bike is a little more in height than the Splendor I had. This bike compared to Splendor I had, gives me a feeling of more better road grip and control.
Shifting the gear to second is little hard. I had read about this earlier, but am now experiencing it myself. The other gears do not have this problem. However I have got used to this problem. Hero Honda needs to address this problem.
The bike engine suddenly stops while running at high speeds and when you press the clutch for some reason. You have to button start it while running, or start with managing clutch. Hero Honda needs to address this problem.
The button start is excellent and the bike starts in first effort. Even in morning cold weather, while it is raining, I had no problem with this, not even once. However frankly I have not even tried the kick start yet.
The pickup or torque( I have no experience with other so call better performing models of pulsar or Apache, so can not compare) as they say is much much better than the Splendor I had, and I am satisfied with it. It enables me to surge ahead when the traffic signal goes green. This is not exactly a very powerful bike but the pickup is more than enough for city traffic with frequent signals.
The headlamps are good powerful much better than Splendor I had. The switch positioning is good and easily reachable. However the side indicator switch could have been better, in the sense that, you have to look at the turning lamp to go off on the display to ensure that the switch is in the middle, that is neither left or right. What they could have done is increased the range of the play of this switch towards left, right. That would have not necessitated to look at the indicated light on the panel. Hero Honda needs to address this problem.
The road grip is excellent and breaks are good for city traffic. I have not tested on highway. I feel in much better control even on riding on a wet road after the rain.
Well, I always felt the fifth gear should have been there. When you are speeding at high speed, the bike seems to strain and I feel that fifth gear would have given a "smoother" ride.
I liked the petrol lock design very much. It is unique. Also the headlamp design is excellent.
The backseat is little raised but my companion got used to it. The foot rests positioning are good.
The price should have been lower by at least 4 to 5 thousands, but still worth it considering the build quality I get.
I always believed, you would never get everything good or excellent in a bike. There will always be something good or bad in various makes/models. If the price is lower, there would be something bad today or in the longer run and if somethings or everything is good, the price will be higher. So, you have to weigh all the parameters together and judge and decide.I am sure all and everybody will have different opinion about this. The best thing would be to take a friend’s bike and try it for some time and get his hands on feedback then, and then decide.
Well, only this much I can write right now. I will surely come up with more statistics and numbers in future as I use it further and has some highway experience.
Presently, I am very happy with this bike in overall and believe my decision is right and am optimistic about future considering it is Hero Honda bike. Definitely very good city bike with some more improvements Hero Honda could do as mentioned above in future versions/models to make it an excellent bike.
I hope this review helps.