This is my second review on Hero Honda as I have given my review on my blue bird Passion plus. Now this is the time to talk about the new avatar "Passion pro". First of I want to talk some about my passion plus. I have a purple color 2004 model passion plus. It is now 85000km driven till now and the engine is so smooth and till now no major maintenance as only break shoes, once clutch plates, once spark plug and upgraded 100/90 18" tire on rear only. Still it have good pick up. so it is a zero maintenance for me till now. Now it have started to burn engine oil after 70km/l so I have to rebuild its engine around 93000km.
I think you are thinking why am I talking about this old lady instead of passion pro. its because I want see tell you that I actually was impressed by its durability so I was expecting improved all the qualities in new baby passion pro.
One day my friend bought the passion pro with red and black combination. I investigated keenly the bike as it was now changed about 50%.
Looks:
it have got new lifted headlight, big integrated tail lamp, digital instruments but speedo was analogs, alloy wheels with same size 2.75 18" at front and 3.00 18" at rear tires. graphics were good but looks outdated and kidy from some angles. all engine and chain cover was black painted. Paint quality was best as it is hero honda product. electrical buttons were also changed. Suspension was of red color spring.
Technical Specification:
Engine was same including some minor changes as-
engine type- OHC 4 stroke air cooled (same as passion plus)
engine capacity- 97.2cc (same as passion plus)
Max. Power- 7.8PS @ 8000rpm (passion plus have 7.5PS @ 8000RPM power)
Max. Torque- 8.04NM @ 4500RPM (passion plus have 7.95NM @ 5000 RPM)
Other specifications are same as passion plus.
As we have seen it have improved some power so it feels some power while riding. The torque is provided is 8.04NM @ 4500RPM is pretty good as now it will provide better torque at 4500RPM as compare to passion plus have to revs 5000RPM to get 7.95NM. So it will give you some punch and less need to change gears in traffic.
My Ride:
At first when I sat on the bike it was very similar to passion plus in comfort but handle was raised it was uncomfortable for me. It tired my arms very badly. its my feeling may be it is not for others. I on the key and push the self start button. It starts in first light self and then I give it the first gear when I leave the clutch.The bike give a powerful push with good pick up as compared to my passion plus. But after that I rush it in a heavy traffic and see its city cruising ability. It was very sensible at throttle and have a decent pick for city ride. I drove it at 20km/h in 4th gear and it was not knocking. It was surprise for me as my passion plus can’t move below 30km/h in 4th gear without knocking. It was good when I take it on highway it was shying as many bigger bikes are moving. I took a twist to throttle and it goes 20-60km/h quickly but after 70km/h it reduces the punch as my passion plus have. I drove it hard and tested its top speed. top speed was some times 85km/h and sometimes near 90 km/h according to air resistant. I leaned on the handle bars and checked it can go between 95-100km/h not touched 100 marks. But it is a low cc bike so we can’t expect more than it. Actual speed is 85 km/h with pillion and near 90km/h lonely with low air resistant.
Mileage:
About concerning mileage we can expect an average of 65-70km/l in city. On highway it give you 85km/l if driven within the limit of 50km/h constantly. The worst mileage I checked was 45km/l whenever ridden rashly up to its limits.
Conclusion:
Now its time to give results. As a bike actually it is a quite comfortable and reliable in City. Sometime you can rash it up to 300km on highway but with a tired body. its quality is world class and it is a best city bike which can give you decent comfort with decent mileage. The one thing I don’t like its design and engine sound. My passion plus have a nice sound than it. It seems it have an engine life of 50000-70000km if maintained nicely. In the market many bikes available in this category with higher mileage and power but you have to sacrifice with maintenance and less engine life. So if you like this bike you can buy it blindly and it will survive till 5-6 years problem free. The main disadvantage of this bike is low cc engine it should be 110cc for modern requirement but it is very durable and reliable old engine which have proven its ability in recent years. Splendors are the example of it.
Please leave your comments about this bike to improve my review. I think I have given all necessary information about the Passion Pro.