There is nothing much left to add to the information related to the technical specs of the bike since there are lot other informative reviews on the Xtreme, I would rather give information on the practical aspects and the problems faced.
5 years after using my Kawasaki Bajaj Caliber 115 aka Hoodibaba (Oct 2003) to be precise, I sold it off with a heavy heart since 1) It was my 1st bike and 2) It never ever gave me any nagging problems primarily because I used to regular maintain the service record of the bike for 5 years.
CBZ was always the bike I wanted to buy. Ok it was the old petrol guzzler CBZ which came when we weren’t into the 0-60 kmph in 5 sec ages or driving a bike with 5 years, but yes that was the bike I wanted to buy. Unfortunately the mean machine has been replaced by a civilized beast known as CBZ Xtreme, the engine has been fine tuned to city riding, the mileage has been improved and the old charm of being told as a rugged bike has been replaced by the charm of a powerful civilized bike. But yes even after so many years whenever you stand at signals your CBZ Extreme will get a “dekho” by others.
Powered by a 149cc 14.4PS engine the bike clocks in 0 – 60 in 5 sec; this is not something that is measurable every time you ride the bike but yes, the pick up is good, the initial torque lets you zip past the traffic when the signal goes green and you can shift to 5th gear easily at the speed of 40kmph.
Clocking higher speeds and you will experience no vibrations till 80-85 kmph. The exhaust has been modified as compared to the old CBZ and you will not experience the grunt of the former, what you will hear is a simple exhaust beat similar to Unicorn. Something which has transformed of the image of the old CBZ from a racer bike to a CBZ Extreme- performance oriented City bike. Mileage am drawing above 50 kmpl which is very good since I drive rash. But yes on highways when you clock on 80-85 kmph, the fuel indicator starts dipping, suggesting you have few bucks to spend from your salary on it.
The console is purely analogue something which I like the most. In almost all the bikes today starting from 100cc you get a digital meter so what you get in CBZ is different from others and hence it stands different from all. Okay I can have different opinion about going digital from you guys but solely my opinion that analogue anytime looks more appealing than a digital meter because you can see the indicator moving from 0 to higher speeds in a jiffy. You get a tacho, speedo and a fuel indicator in analogue.
Electric start is a quiet and a breeze to use, it does not really shatter ear buds much when you want to start the bike. However I recommend everyday for the first time when you start the bike, kick start it since you will have cold starts in CBZ extreme in extreme summer also. It will ensure longer battery life.
Looks wise as I said earlier even after so many years it still grabs attention, although I feel that the Xtreme with the newer graphics looks sportier than the previous version before the cosmetic upgradation. You have the same parking lamp which I fail to understand what purpose it serves. The headlights and the taillights are crystal clear and visible in night. The headlamp covers the entire road at nights so there is no tension in absence of the street lights however I feel that head lamp levelling devices should also be introduced in bikes since adjustments are more than necessary.
The bike is no doubt value for money for the price range it comes into, the engine performs superbly as per Honda standards, and you have the Hero Honda brand name which inspires trust for so many years with you.
So after all the praises as a reviewer it is my duty to let you know the negatives of this bike or rather the dealer for all the prospective buyers out there.
The problems aren’t many but yes they are and I hope you don’t face it after buying the bike.
From the first day I purchased the bike, the front wheel was wobbling making me feel insecure to drive at higher speeds. Very next day taking it to the service station I was informed that the front tyre (MRF) is faulty and needed to be replaced. I told the dealer to replace it at his location since I am his customer and not the tyre company’s. But adamantly I was told that you will have to take it to the Tyre company to get it replaced. Now imagine you spend 65000 rupees to take a brand new bike out of the showroom and next day you go to the tyre company for replacing the and not the bike’s, he responded we get many cases particularly in Xtreme about tyre faults. Easy answer to get out of the situation.
Next up after a couple of months suddenly I discover that the front visor (Hood as well call it) starts vibrating as if it will fall of any moment. Again taking it to service station costs me Rs.800/- since it was not in stock...and I had to wait 10 days to get it repaired. Great!!!
During my second service I discover that the screw fitting in the exhaust falls down and it also is not included in the warranty so had to spend on that also. I wonder what comes under warranty then. Something about the dealer: Since the past 3 services have been asking the service guys to remove some hissing noise from the front tyre(yea the one replaced) and to remove the wobbling(somehow I still feel its there) but after so much expertise and their concern, the problem persists!!!!
During one service, asked to replace the tail lamp bulb of the right side (I wonder how such electrical failures occur in new bikes-Caliber never had such problems), it got repaired, only thing is it dint blink..so it was cured in next service. You want to know why??
Since after 1 pm the service station does not take repair work. And hence if someone would ask me to rate the dealer on customer satisfaction in terms of service, well you know what my rating would be!!!
Oh yes, I wrote about the tyre problem to Hero Honda’s mail id. And I dint get any reply. I hope they read Mouthshut and listen to their customers.
Overall if want to my opinion for Xtreme, Go, Grab it…