My name is Chandrakanth from Bengaluru. Here are my few lines on my bike, Hero Honda Ambition135 Mar2004 Model, today the odo reads 45435kms. It’s my best companion for daily transport of self and family members, I love this bike very much and next month this bike will celebrate 5 th birthday!
1. Design: The ergonomics is simply made for me, the bike feels light and easy to handle in any traffic. The pillion seat is also very well cushioned and overall it is a comfortable bike both for single as well as doubles. The handle bar is bit wide and even on long hauls this bike will never pain your body. I noticed the choke only after 3 years of use, it’s next to carburettor. The bike normally starts in one kick rather I should say a gentle 1/2 kick even in B’lore winters.
2. Styling: The tank is sleek and slender, it hugs your knees for fantastic handling, you are never’loose’ on this bike, the seating height is perfect, you feel planted in all conditions. The styling is adequate, with few numbers on road today, the styling is in fact unique if not stunning.
3. Engine: Perfect mechanical, no jerks, seamless power, smooth gear transmission, quiet powerful, very fuel efficient, ZERO maintenance(till date). Even if you take non stop 50 kms ride, you can put your palm on the gearbox casing, it’s cool! Engine is the best part of Ambition. Engine of Old CBZ, Karizma and Ambition are of same platform. Most Engine parts are common to all three bikes. A 11 bhp Engine is treat for city drives and has excellent mid-range delivery. Best speed range is b/w 40 to 70, above these speeds vibrations set in, since my bike has no disc, I feel nervous to go above 80 kmph speed, but on open highways, I have gone above 90kmph numerous times. At traffic stops sometimes I forget that the bike is’on’ and have attempted to kick-start, the engine is very silent and totally free from vibrations.
4. Reliability: Excellent, even experienced Hero Honda mechanics say, Ambi would be No.1 in terms of reliability among all Hero Honda products till date. Brake shoe replacement of both rear and front is the only costliest part change till date. All the bulbs, fuses, battery, tyres, chain, spark plug and many’normal’ replaceable parts are still original.
5. Mileage: This bike really delivers astonishing mileage in all conditions, in B’lore city conditions where I normally don’t reach 5th gear, it gives me 53 kms a litre of normal petrol(measured last week). My brother’s Unicorn delivers 42 kmpl in similar conditions. On long hauls if driven sanely it will put 100cc fuel efficient champs to shame for sure(In 2005, my cousin brother used the bike in Mysore and reported 65 kmpl b/w Bangalore and Mysore at avg. speed of 70 kmph). When not in use my brother lays his hands on Ambi(with no disc & self start) and not on his unicorn.
6. Service: All my mechanic does is change oil, clean filter, clean carburettor -set right idling speed, clean spark plug, grease, check for braking, wash and polish, nothing else. I found Melinium Hero Honda service station at Domlur, B’lore is very cordial and honest, Vimal(Old Madras road), Shreyas(Domlur) and City bike(New Thi ppasandra) are also equally good. They attend to minor issues and charge you nothing(upto 30, 000kms), even if they charge they give you computerized bill for labour for even Rs.20/-. Spares availability is not an issue at all, even small service centres stock spares for Ambition, remember this bike was closed by end of 2004 itself.
*Tips for better life of bike
a. I ensure that I give service only on Tues/Wed/Thu, all other days mechanics will be busy.
b. I use only covered parking, I wash bike every 15/20 days.
c. I use only Hero Honda Engine Oil(Cheapest and Best) and Hero Honda service.
d. I use wax polishing after every service(2500kms).
e. Used bike only for standard commuting, no racing. no dragging.
Conclusion: I should say this is simply an outstanding product. You can stop an Ambi owner on road and find out for yourself what story he has!