The first impression
This is not a complete review, just my first impression about CBZ-Xtreme. The original version of CBZ may be a very good bike, both in terms of look and performance. However, this one is also superb, the photographs really do not depict the real look, for which I had to visit the showroom three times.
Just remove the name ‘CBZ’ from your mind, and accept it as a new model (it could have any name), this one is really fantastic. I do not agree that original CBZ looks much better than this, rather I liked the look of this bike. One thing is disturbing, that single parking lamp just above the headlight, which is possibly the only odd-looking feature of this bike. I observed it very carefully, and noticed that the surface close to that parking lamp has a different texture, as if this was not in the original design, and hurriedly introduced just before the launch. That resulted into a re-fabrication of that assembly (cutting, fitting, etc.), and repainting in that region created a slightly different texture. Does it mean that CBZ Xtreme is actually going to have a newly designed and better looking headlamp + parking lamp assembly very soon? Let’s see. One more thing is little irritating, that the foot rest has to be folded every time for kick start, but that can be forgotten completely if the self start / battery is maintained properly.
I in fact went to buy one (price hike in January), but I did not get a red colour, and I was not interested in black that was available in the showroom. So I shall wait, there is already a long queue for red. I do not know whether I have made a right choice or not. There are other good models also in the market. Pulsar looks very nice, and the test ride (with P-180) was also very impressive. However, I found that I need to lean forward while riding a pulsar, so I discarded that. Then I was inclined to buy Apache, which gives a very good sitting comfort, looks great, and also I have asked some of the actual users in our city (Jamshedpur), who have given very much positive feedback. I have also heard that HMSI, after Unicorn, is going to launch another model with fuel injection (not sure about the authenticity of the information). But I have recently changed my target after seeing CBZ Xtreme. Features like 110 kmph speed, 0-60 kmph in 5 sec, etc. do not actually appeal to me at all, after 10 years of bike riding experience, and I have passed that age also, now I prefer only slow and safe driving. I basically want a good stable bike that will give a riding pleasure in the city condition, with all modern accessories like disk brake, self start, alloy wheels, etc., and above all a long lasting excellent engine with smooth gear shifting. That is why I have finally selected Hero Honda.
Since I have to wait, I still have some time to think and compare. So what do you say? Is it a right choice, or there is any other valuable suggestion / feedback from anybody?