This review is applicable to Her Honda’s entire range of products.
Hero Honda is a name which redefined two wheeler industry in India. With a series of fuel efficient and low maintenance bikes, Hero Honda became a legendry name in India. Hero Honda stood for so many thing unbeatable fuel efficiency, driving comfort, excellent handling and highly reliable performer. Hero Honda bikes enjoy the best resale value.
Being on the top of bike industry Hero Honda became complacent. Or say they are too much dependent on their collaborator Honda for R&D. What ever they have tried recently seems to have fired back. Just see, CBZ comprehensively beaten by Pulsar twins, Ambitions withdrawn after a poor performance and yes the much talked about Super splendor and Glamor twins puffing and blowing in the heat of competition.. And the hot CT100 is making life miserable for splendor & passion.
Hero Honda is still the market leader but the throne is shaking!
While Bajaj and TVS were trying different innovative technologies to make their products more attractive, Hero Honda lagged behind.
Lets see the technological wave in India.:
CV carburetor : It is known as constant velocity carburetor. Carburetor supplies air-fuel mixture to the engine. Being a mechanical device, it has got its limitations. It is not able to supply optimum mix of air-fuel to the engine for all load conditions and for different weather conditions. Hero Honda employs slide type of carburetor for its 100cc and 125cc and 150cc bikes. CV carburetor is an improvised carburetor and gives better performance. Bajaj has been using it for its 125cc and 150cc bikes, TVS for its 150cc bikes( I am not aware of TVS’ other bikes). But not Hero Honda.
Spark timing control: Initially spark timing were controlled mechanically and hence will lead to improper combustion in the combustion chamber. These days it is being controlled digitally. It has been employed by Bajaj, TVS in all category of bikes. However Her Honda did not introduce this popular improvisation in its 100cc bikes.
Exhaust TEC: This is related to engine exhaust , provides torque expansion chamber and it results in very good low end torque. It obviates frequent gear changes and hence makes city driving easier. Bajaj is using this technology in its 125cc and above capacity bikes.
With all such technological advancements being introduced to Indian bike industry, Hero Honda bikes have become technologically outdated and obviously have become overpriced.
In the 100cc segment we have technologically superior bikes from Bajaj and TVS and HH bandwagon needs immediate up gradation.
In 125 cc segment HH has come up with an underpowered product that still breathes through an outdated slide type of carburetor. However its low end torque is among the best in the class. That will give users better city driving and better overall mileage also. 3-years warranty on this bike is among the most lucarative option.Bajaj Discover is a brilliant bike, TVS bike is also good and so is Yamaha Fazer
In 150 cc segment we have seen the fate of CBZ.
Hero Honda can still sell more bikes on its brand reputation but how long! Until something urgent is done, Hero Honda will lose its position. But the big question is who will do it for Hero Honda. Is it Honda! But Honda has its independent venture in India.( Its excellent bike Unicorn is competing with Pulsar, Fiero and of course with ’CBZ’. Will it do something really lifesaving for HH!