I read a lot of negative reviews. Don’t know if the new CB Shine is any different than Shine, but mine runs good after 20k kMs. I wrote the same review for CB Shine, bu the main discussion seems to be going on here, so I’m putting it here too. First and foremost, I haven’t experienced any problem with its build issues so far. I still runs just the way it used to when it was new.
Honda Shine was my first bike which turned me into a biker in true sense of the word. Now I am upgrading to a sports bike since it’s now primarily used by my dad. Before Shine, I rode other commuting bikes in 100-125cc segments and a couple of pulsars too, but my experience with Shine has been rich since I am riding it for past more than one year. I got this bike in April 2012 and since then it’s been my sole responsibility even though my dad used it too, and now finally it’s being solely used by him.
My experience and overall feeling with this bike has been varied. When I rode it for he first time, I was more than just impressed. Superb pick up and within seconds I reached 50. Since I was advised not to take it beyond 50 in the first few kilometers, I had no complaints until then. The looks of Shine are very proportionate and attractive for 125cc segment.
It will appeal all sections of riders, age no bar (Me being 25!). No other bike in this class comes close in this front, even now with the new passion Xpro and TVS phoenix in competition. They maybe close runner ups, but the modest elegance spiced up with bold Honda logo and graphics of Shine beats everything else. The visor is pretty similar to Hero bikes, and I think it does justice to the looks of a new age commuter bike. Anything more raunchy would look out of place, as we see in newly launched commuters.
The headlight is decent, but is not too bright. The back-light is just proper and the oil tank is designed to add up to its youthful cum formal appeal. The black alloy wheels look sporty, though apparently the spokes wheels option is available too.
Now the performance part. As I said, in the first month I had nothing much to complain as I rode the bike within 50 kmph limit. The engine runs smooth with lowest engine noise and vibration than other bikes. On the roads, probably the most silent bike to run past you would be a Shine.
It’s a pleasure to take it to local errands in silent mornings or cozy evenings as if riding a bicycle. It feels very light and easy. Dodging the traffic is also easy with its superb pick up and handling which can put even sports bike to shame upto 50 kmph speed (!)
The real problem comes up as you cross 50. Suddenly the bike produces vibration as you accelerate past 50, and you start feeling as if you are pushing it beyond limits after 60. For a while I actually had doubts if it’s really a 125cc bike or it’s fitted with an inferior 100cc engine. However, once the vibration is ignored and accelerator is kept pushing, the bike easily goes to 75 kmph in no time. And then again the vibration increases even more as you exceed 70-75.
I have been kind enough to take it up to 85-90 kmph only. By then, all the decency and modesty of the bike goes off and you feel uncomfortable with the vibes and engine’s sound. And if you keep running it on such high speeds for more than a few minutes, the engine starts panting for breath. This experience left me sulking for quite some time.
Later, having known the pros and cons, I rode the bike within its capabilities and slowly started to like it again. This time, the liking was not for its acceleration or looks, but for the sheer riding pleasure and fuel economy it gives around 50kmph speed limit. Certainly, this bike is not meant for speed lovers or bike enthusiasts as it will leave them high and dry. Somehow its pick up increases the expectation of riders. However, for someone who gets accustomed to riding it, it will never disappoint him.
Long journeys are as comfortable as short ones, but too long a journey for some hours may be beyond its limit. Not that it will break down, but because you will yourself feel sorry for its soft spoken engine which starts making slightly louder tones, but still much less than its companions in segment at any day.
As for the maintenance part, as with any Honda bike, it does need timely maintenance and servicing for it to run smooth, but still its needs are lowest than others of its family. And the maintenance itself doesn’t require much, just the timely changing of engine oil, some oiling and greasing of chains and brakes, and that’s it. I never had to go for any replacement or extra expense until now except for a filter which costed me Rs. 175. And that too not because I was having any problems, but because the service centre guys promised me it’ll increase the mileage.
I get the mileage of around 55 to 60 in usual riding days which involves both city and highway rides in its daily course of 40-50 km running. And this I think is pretty good considering its powerful pick up which I frequently use to overtake other bikers to swiftly cut through the traffic. And then, since I am always late, I barely run on economy level speed of 45-55. I usually ride it over 50-60 in open roads, despite the vibrations which I am used to now. The vibrations I feel are more noticeable because its completely absent in lower speeds. Had it been present from the very start, it wouldn’t have been so irritating.
I must mention that I once got a terrible starting problem in the bike for around 15 days which needed me to take it to mechanics for 2-3 times. They said it’s because of some dust particles which entered into it, and that it should never happen again. This they said everytime I went there. I was just about to complain to Honda authorities that the problem vanished. I never faced any such problem again. And now the bike runs smooth with no maintenance at all. Infact, I don’t even take it for timely servicing and oil changing either.
The last time I changed the engine oil, it had turned pitch black! And yet the poor Honda didn’t complain. I need to change the break shoes too as it produces a screeching sound, but still the drum brakes work just perfect. The service center guys in Honda are not good experts. I just casually asked them to louden up its horn and they messed up with battery connection which stopped charging since then. I had to catch up with a local mechanic to fix it.
One big problem of the bike is its grip. Equipped with thin tyres, it is dangerous to apply sudden brakes in dusty, wet or muddy roads. I once had an accident due to its poor grip on a sandy road. Though it was hell of a sudden braking to save a kid. Now I am extra cautious and slow when riding through such terrain. Even in slow speeds, the tyre slips a little in muddy roads, but the overall balancing is too good for it to fall. Maybe a good replacement of the rear tyre will fix this issue, but who takes so much pain for a 125cc bike?
My bike is just a year old, but has run 20000 km on road. My overall experience with this bike has been positive as it has stood some trying times with me. Every once in a while, I use its pick up for an adrenaline rush from one red light (oops, traffic light!) to another. This 125cc bike is good for just that kind of little races. So now I am ditching this one for another sporty bike. I am thinking Apache RTR, but it seems to have the same old vibration issues. And rest all are the same old boring ones in market for too long. I have heard a new breed of pulsars is about to be released by he year end. How true?
I will suggest Honda Shine to those ’no-nonsense’ fellas who want a sleek commuter which runs silent, gives average fuel efficiency but can also be fun when in mood to cut past the busy traffic. Also for those who don’t want eye catching funky looks but also don’t want to lose on the style front completely.