I owned a Hero Honda Glamour (2005 model) which served my purpose well. It had started showing signs of ageing as I had abused it a lot, both on highways and city, and wanted something new.
My requirements were as follows:
Reliability and Resale Value.
Mileage – Same old question; Kitna deti hai?
Strictly between 100 cc to 110 cc due to requirement (2).
As my requirement primarily was for daily commute to and fro from office to home, I zeroed only two bikes mentioned below (We have Bajaj and TVS bikes in our family, so stayed away from them as I wanted something different).
Hero Passion Pro.
Honda CB Twister.
Hero Passion Pro: One of my relatives’ had recently bought this and was facing a lot of issues with his bike. The bike started rattling like hell after a few days of purchase and the speedometer went kaput within one month and he had to shell out 3K for the same. The mileage turned out to be between 50-55 km/L which is very less for 97 cc, so I opted this out.
Honda Twister: This was recommended by one of my colleagues in the office. I paid a visit to Ananda Honda located at Bommanahalli, Bangalore, for a TD. The ride was really awesome. The initial pickup is superb. I felt like I am riding a sports bike. What I did not like in the bike is that the rear tyres are too thin, tripmeter is missing, gear shift pattern is toe shift, and it has an open chain pattern, so special care has to be taken.
As my list had only two options and had exhausted (had no idea about Dream Yuga as the bike was not available at the showroom while I went for a TD of Twister), I went ahead to Ananda Honda showroom to book one. I booked Twister on June 20th and got the delivery on July 27th.
While taking delivery, from day 1, there was an abnormal noise from the engine, and the SE assured me that it is a normal phenomenon as the engine is new, but I was not convinced. Took it to their A.S.S. and they kept the bike for 3 days and then later informed me that it is indeed normal, but I was not convinced. I shot a mail through Honda website and within no time got a call from service manager and they took my bike again for resolving the issue. They could not find the exact location from where the noise is coming and finally gave up and handed over the bike to me assuring that it will be taken care in the future as it is under warranty.
To cut the story short, I finally met the managing director of the showroom and relayed my concerns to her. She indeed was a gem of a person and heard all my concerns and she herself examined the bike. She offered me a new one in exchange of my existing one, but I had to pay 3k more and offered me to give all the accessories free of cost (FOC). While all the discussion was going on, my eyes fell on this cozy little bike, Dream Yuga, which had just arrived to their showroom from stockyard...........
Before finalizing the deal for the new Twister, I gave a thought of taking a TD of Dream Yuga for which the MD obliged.
Wasting no time, took the keys from another SE who is in-charge of the TD vehicles and asked him not to accompany me for TD (as they usually accompany the customer for TDs) and went on a long test drive alone. The engine was butter smooth and the initial pick-up was amazing, just like Twister, and I was really impressed. After returning from the TD, I changed my mind of taking a new Twister and changed the booking to Honda Dream Yuga.
Ex-showroom price: 49717
Insurance : 1002
Smart Card : 230
Accessories : 1100
Registration & RT : 120+5518
Total : 57687/-
Later, I just signed a few papers stating that I have exchanged the Twister with DY signed by the MD herself and as usual, my photograph with address proof.
SE asked me which colour I am interested in and I was a bit confused with red and Black. Saw a black one in their showroom and it was looking awesome, so decided to go with DY Black. SE informed me that DY black self/alloy is not available right now and waiting period is around 10 days. I was okay with it. After completing all the formalities left the showroom.
On July 17th, got a call from showroom stating that my bike is ready to be delivered. I was like dumbstruck. I had informed SE earlier that I have to do the PDI myself before registration, but she informed me that the bike has already been registered in my name. I rushed to the showroom at 4 p.m. the same day. My black beauty was parked in their showroom and they did the PDI in front of me. I asked the SE to check the oil level out of curiosity and lo and behold, the engine oil level was not up to the mark. I asked the SE that how can you deliver the bike without checking the oil levels, which would have led to a serious disaster later? For that, he apologized and filled it to the required level and handed over the bike to me.
I saw that they had fitted all the accessories on my black beauty except the tank cover and seat cover. I inquired about this and the SE stated that as this is a new bike, those two covers are still not available and will give a call once they reach their showroom. I took delivery of the bike around 5 p.m.
Features I liked in Dream Yuga
Engine is very very smooth (butter smooth).
The pickup is awesome.
Riding position is good.
Gear shift pattern is all upwards as opposed to 1Down/3Up of Twister, which is a boon for me; I am not comfortable with 1down/3up pattern.
It comes with a closed chain pattern as opposed to Twister’s open chain pattern which requires a lot of maintenance.
Seat is long and comfortable.
Rear shocks are awesome, takes all the pain without hiccup riding on roads which are undulated.
As it is in run-in period, I am maintaining the speeds between 40-45 km/hr and not even once tried to rev it about that. Gear shifting is awesome, all upwards, and are very smooth. The suspension is also quite good and can glide on any kinds of roads. As it has high torque at lower RPM, the initial pick-up is awesome and can glide in 2nd gear in stop-and-go traffic as opposed to 1st gear in other bikes.
Till now, I have driven 225 km and I got a mileage of 68 km/L in Bangalore heavy traffic, and this is even before 1st service; I think it will increase further after consecutive services and I am very much impressed about this. I am yet to take it on highway. I am damn sure that it will give 80+ if driven between 50-55 km on highways. Riding position is also awesome. The handlebar is short, and due to the seating position and the short handlebar, you will get a feeling that you are not riding a normal commuter bike, but a sports bike. The handlebar position was not comfortable for me as I had to lean a bit forward to grab it, so I changed the position myself.
Overall, a great experience, and I would definitely recommend this bike who is looking out for a bike in 100-110 cc segment for FE and mainly reliability.
Regards,
Scorpion78
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A small update.
Till now, I have driven 400 km and now the average mileage stands exactly at 72 km/L as shown in the ads, and that too in city. I am very much overwhelmed by its performance.
Regards,
Scorpion78