Hi MSians
I’m Vasudev from Tumkur, I am new to this forum and today I’d like to review my Hero Honda CBZ- Xtreme.
1. Why CBZ?: In last 5 years of biking, the best memories on bike belongs to the old CBZ(college campus drives). I used to borrow this bike from my friend and ride it in college campus and off. I have used many bikes but CBZ drive is the most satifying.
2. Xtreme: I was totally dis-appointed reading blogs etc etc, but everything changed when I visited M/S Ravi Motors Tumkur. I was amazed at the bike at first glance(really macho and stylish) immediately took it for a test drive. Test drive was really a treat, CBZ-Xtreme I feel is a step forward compared to Old CBZ in many ways. The urge was so much that I called my cousin to take back his Activa(which I was using at that time). It was last week of Dec2006 I booked one and got my Black Xtreme on 12th Jan2007 from Ravi Motors, Tumkur.
3. So Far, So good: The meter today reads 3, 900 kms, I did very careful run-in and after 1, 200kms I took to NH4 to test her power, handling and speed in March Ist week. I went alone and made a trip to B’lore and back to Tumkur for sole pupose of testing it. The max. position of speedometer needle was b/w 120-130 kmph. The acceleartion is simply awesome just like Karizma, gear spacing is adequate for both city and highway use, Handling is a treat(like Unicorn), seating posture for me is just perfect(made for each other) and the feel is you are riding real big bike and there is back pain or wrist pain as in Pulsar. Braking is very good and I think it is safer than any other bike, you will never get toppled, b’cos of it’s long wheel base. Mileage I have got till date is about 50 kmpl. I have not measured from drop to drop, an avg. of 50 kmpl is really good. My Activa never crossed 40 kmpl in recent times. Old CBZ was dubbed petrol guzzler. Xtreme is good on mileage front. I bet if newbie test rides Xtreme on Highway, then he will never go back honme without booking one. Only Unicorn can match Xtreme’s highway ride quality. Ofcourse I find karizma is king of highway any given day.
4. Service and Customer service: Hero Honda service is satisfactory till date, I checked spares cost, it’s cheaper than old CBZ. Service people listened to all my minor problems during Ist service and they did quite good job. First drive after Ist free service was smoother and better, and importantly fuel efficient.
5. Negatives: No serious problems in this bike as of yet, I trust Hero Honda and their reliability than any company. The gear shift was quite hard initially, after Ist service it’s smoother, but I need much more smoother gear shift like karizma. Pilot lamp is waste, front panel seems smaller for it’s macho build. Pillion will get vibrations on rough roads. Exhaust beat is silent, I personally feel Pulsar exhaust beat is nice.
Recommendation: I would recommend this bike to even people who are worried about fuel bills, a km a rupee is fair enough, plus it’s loaded with fun, thrill and speed. Test drive one and find out for your self. And for people from Tumkur, I recommend M/S Ravi Motors, they have been good and service is pretty decent.
UPDATE: 01March 2009 ODO reading: 23, 487 kms.
Service quality not upto mark, Hero Honda has to improve service standards, mechanics have spoiled my rear fairings with scratches not once but twice. Only Rear brake pad changed, no other part changed.
Bike is fantastic, had been to Belgaum and back in two days along with friends, cruising at 90 kmph most of the time, excellent mileage of 45.7 kmpl in this long ride stint. City ride fetches 42 to 46 kmpl, I don’t measure all the time. I rode Hunk too it’s also good bike.
Overall, I don’t want to touch any of the’praise’ I made to Hero Honda/CBZ Xtreme, except that Hero Honda has to improve dealer’s attitude and train mechanics well.
CBZ Xtreme ROCKS!
Thank You
Vasudev Murthy
Tumkur