Hoodibabaa! The powered sweet sounding jingle worked, and 115 is really doing great. Today, in this segment, there are lot of good bikes, each one having some new concepts implemented in biking. for example freedom, you cant change gear if bike is on sidestand; victor, adjustable rear suspension; changing colors in tachometer, passlight in caliber 115, and so on. Choosing bike on basis of such superficial qualities would be foolhardy. So I test drove most of the bikes. But finally my search ended at ’Hoodibabaa’.
Caliber 115 is damn cool bike with dazzling headlamp, fairing, enough fuel efficiency, sufficient power, quick acceleration (while driving single) and lightning top speed( atleast in its segment), good value for money AND the bajaj’s typical ’clunck’ (gear change indicator). Its bike worth for its price.
Wind 125 (so smooooooooth) is another good bike if u have money to spend, about 49, 000-50, 000 depending on ur city. But if u invest this amount of money then I would recommend Pulsar just adding 4, 000 to the cost. thats why I didnot choose wind. ’’Fiero f2’’ 150-cc 12bhp is another sizzling alternative for pulsar, if its BrandName ’TVS’ (not’SUZUKI’) doesn’t bother u. F2 is rather smoother than pulsar but is only 4-geared.
I wanted a bike within 45, 00. My options were Victor, Freedom, Passion+ and 115. I never thought of Libero and Kinetic bikes. 115 costs 44, 000-45, 000 on-road, but Diwali special offer made it effectively 42, 000+ on-road. Freedom is the bike I would’ve preferred if not 115. the only thing kept me taking Freedom was its company ’LML’. I kno neither bajaj nor TVS are well reputed in biking but still... . Freedom is very smooth, quick bike. Victor, as a bike, is a good deal but is unusually odd looking especially headlight fairing( not as odd as Libero) etc. This bike seems to be combination of several blocks. its design doesnt satisfy my aesthetic senses. so I dropped victor. Now comes the Passion+, Really good looking, atleast some colors, well established bike in the market, Hero Honda’s reputation etc ; everything favoured this bike. I found this bike(passion-ol’ version & p+) to be most common after splendor on-road. There seems nothing new with this bike, its too hackneyed, none of my friends would even take test ride of my bike. BUT the Major thing that resisted me was the Passions’s ’’tech - specifications’’ section (see my other review for comparison of p+ an hoodi..).The only selling factor for this cd-100 engined bike is its Honda’s badge. Still I would say passion is excellent bike but its cost is much higher than what it actually is worth of. Finally I brought caliber115 at home.
Now something about HOODIBABAA.. . Available colors are not as competent as compared to that provided by LML & Hero Honda but still they make 115 look pretty attractive. Its headlamp and fairing is unmatched, even higer segment bikes lack in such style. Tripmeter, tachometer which changes color with RPM, passlight etc, adds to functionality. leg guard is provided as standard accessory ie without additional price. Horn provided is superb. Silencer and its protection shield with B-KAWASAKI adds to the beauty. Sometimes incredible figures ( 90kmpl, 9.5bhp, 100km/hr etc) make u think that are these reliable or not, but lets leave it for future. Acceleration, as far as I tested is average, but good in its segment. Bike is sweet sounding, but someone may say that sounding is not powerful, I admit. sometimes gear shifting produces typical clunck sound, I think thats due to harsh driving habits. Riding comfort is SUPERB. I bet you’d notice the difference once u drive. Handling, again is a true comfort. 360deg turning on same road without touching a leg on ground is piece of cake when u r on cal115. sharp cuts and turning bike is very easy. rear Suspension is not up to the mark. Seat provides sufficient space to accomodate a pillion. Breaks are fine, Front disc brake should have been there as standard equipment.
My bike is now 2 months old and following are the conclusions. Pick-up is fine when u r driving single but is not great with a pillion. As it is new and has to be driven under constraints so i’ve not tested speed to it’s limit but u can rely on the information present. Avg (as new) is 50-55 km/lt, lets see what happens next. When u drive the bike u can feel the power. Suspension is poor. Overall bike is best in its segment. Next options may be Freedom or Victor, and for Honda fans Passion+.
Well, this is my 1st review so plz rate it freehandedly. Thanx.