This review focuses on the product CBZee, from Hero Honda Motors India on:
Product Overall, appearance, styling and launch
Positioning
Behavior while riding(normal, speed)
Technology used(Engine, shocks, electricals etc)
Fuel efficiency
Verdict
Product Overall, appearance and launch:
The launch was a sensation and young yuppies like me fell for this motorbike, head over heels because we never had seen a motorbike with hot, sporty looks and appearance ready to buy in India.If you owned a CBZee and experienced its ownership, you will agree with me.
In my case I always wanted a large bike with 250cc looks the CBZee from HH being the only choice, no Pulsar, No Apache(Fiero F1 had smaller dimensions in my opinion)
Rating: 10/10 at the time of launch, this product had first-mover advantage!
Positioning:
There was no 4 stroke with 150+ccs and all spanking new looks+freshness in technology. So CBZee and TVS Fiero created the 150cc market newly, you could say, although Yezdi and Bullet existed then. I chose this for its height and 150cc engine as compared to a 100cc which was a bit smaller for my near six foot frame and 90 kilos+
Rating: 9/10, perfect timing, ACE from Hero Honda for market estimation of Indian youth and their impulses
Behavior while riding: First impression- Wonderfully balanced
The height was good; stance sporty
Excellent road grip and behavior
Power delivery thrilled for that day and age
Felt like I wanted to drive it, drive it, drive it!
I chose it for its road stability and looks of the stepped seat, first available at that time in India and for the ride quality I enjoyed. I test drove with my ex-wife on pillion.
Rating: 10/10
HERO HONDA MOTORS
Hero Honda is a Bania/trader company. Read: "Traders". In simple "Western" speak this means "Spreadsheet managers".
Baniahere means "I want ur money", NOT UR WELFARE, short or long term
Read how USA ruined Mexico and its currency for the fool(full) story in American business history. HH fits into that attitude. If TVS produced a near equivalent of Hero Honda/Honda, I would NOT buy Japanese posing as an Indian motorcycle!
OVERSEAS IMPRESSIONS
150 range motorbikes are entry level most countries outside India are in Latin america, Thailand, Indonesia. Comapred to them, CBZ is good, but not excellent.Sadly, it was the only choice and looked better than Fiero from looks, modelling, height, road stability, grip, image etc.
HH CBZee - COMPARE WITH OTHERS!
Engine From Honda, tweaked and bore stroke, imperfect hence vibes to the chassis! Definitely a HH job and pathetic
Carb Does the job
Power Below 13HP for 157cc
Torque Good
Valves Single valve seems too good for a HH! Ha Ha!Vibrations Yes
Weight Perfect balance feels planted, stable
Ride Good, grippy on roads, when wet is stable
Shock Better than a 100cc any day
Feel Like a 250cc chassis that is
Gears Smooth but not class best
Reliability Honda is the last word
Value for$ Yes at that time
Fuel efficiency With my style I can get 40+
Handling Good enough for most folks
Wt. distribut.Weight distributed well.
Pick up Better than most Indian bikes
Brakes First on Indian bike and very obviously a new thing then
Styling World Class, better than any motorbike bike in this class
Remarks WOW! when launched in RED
Ergonomics Above Average
Seating Sporty
Forks OK
Fuel Inj. What’s that?
CONCLUSION:A better bet at the time would have been to drop the power by adjusting cc to around 150cc or even drop in an older Honda engine with 2 valves and sweeter ride.These are just my thoughts.