Hero Honda Hunk 1250kms Ownership Review by Arjun : BikeAdvice

Hero Honda Hunk 1250kms Ownership Review by Arjun
Hero CBZ Xtreme Ownership Review by Lakshman
Mahindra Rodeo Ownership Review by Jayant

Hero Honda Hunk 1250kms Ownership Review by Arjun

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 06:35 AM PDT

Original Source: Hero Honda Hunk 1250kms Ownership Review by Arjun from BikeAdvice.in

Hi Everyone, I am Arjun from Bangalore and this is a review of my 2.5 months old Hero Honda Hunk. What led me to select Hunk as the bike best suitable for me?

Price is the ultimate criterion in selecting a bike. Instead of choosing a bike and regretting because it’s out of my reach, I decided to sort list the bikes first based on Price. Since I was ready to shell out anywhere between 75,000 to 80,000 INR, P150, P180, HH Hunk, HH CBZ xtreme, Honda Dazzler, Honda Unicorn, Yamaha FZ-S, TVS Apache 160.

Comfort

Second important criteria for selecting a bike for me is comfort. I travel around 30km per day in city traffic, comfort is something that I can’t ignore. Pulsar’s are slim i.e. they have narrow seats. Not really suitable for long rides. The riding position can cause back pain in Apache, as it’s designed for racing conditions and not for city riding.

So, made my mind to avoid them. Also since HH Hunk, Unicorn and Dazzler have better height for rider, and are designed for city commuting, they offer the best comfort. I don’t have much of an idea of Yamaha FZ-S, as I never rode it myself.

Control (Brakes & Handling)

I always preferred to buy a bike with rear disc brakes. Honda Unicorn Dazzler, HH Hunk & Apache were the bikes which offered it. Also the HH mechanic said that Hunk has better road grip than Karizma. Don’t know whether it’s true or not, but that did convince my dad that Hunk is a good bike. Read a lot about Apaches producing vibration at higher speeds. Unicorns, Hunk, CBZ xtreme being quite heavy, are stable at higher speeds.

Engine Cooling

As far as I know, all bikes from the above list are Air cooled. So, not much of a difference.

Power

Apache offers more horse power than others in the segment. Considered more of a menace for city riding conditions at times. Hunk & CBZ xtreme offer slightly more horse power than unicorns.

Maintenance

You can find HH service centres probably in every single area in major cities like Bangalore. Anytime the bike starts giving any problem, it shouldn’t be tough to find a service centre within a 2km radius. With so many service centers around, mainitaining the bike in good condition is no tough job. And finding service centres is no big deal with a SmartPhone in pocket. On the other hand, service centres of other major companies like Honda and Yamaha have a bad reputation.

Fuel Efficiency

Another important criteria as I ride long distance in heavy city traffic. Read too many reviews on internet about Apache & FZ-S not being so economical when it comes to mileage. Decided to avoid them.

Somethings that are not much of importance for me

Engine Sound: Sound made my Unicorns, Hunk and CBZ Xtreme may not please hardcore bike enthusiasts.
HH not being Parent of Engine: Why should anyone bother about it, as long as he is getting the best service with best engine in the market?

Since Hunk is not so common on roads, it catches a lot of attention, special thanks to its muscular looks. I finally decided to go for it.

TL;DR: Avoided Apache for lack of comfort, mileage. Pulsar for being too common, less comfort. FZ-S for mileage. Unicorn and Dazzler for waiting time and bad service centres. Between Hunk and CBZ xtreme, looks and better fuel efficiency made Hunk my perfect choice.

Journey So Far

So far its been about 2.5 months and 1250km with Hunk and its been a delightful journey. Got the rear and front disc version of Hunk for a little more than Rs.79k (Yeah, its costlier here in Garden City). Its worth the price as it comes with tubless tyres & rear disc brakes.

Initially the bike started off with not-so-good mileage of about 38-40kmpl, but after the first service, the mileage is about 46-48kmpl. Pretty good, considering I ride about 1km everyday on 1st gear (Thanks to Bangalore traffic).

Handling has been easy. For the first 500km, I tried riding below 3500RPM & 40kmph, and for the next 500km, 4500RPM & 55kmph. The highest speed I could reach in Bangalore roads is 85kmph and I never felt that I was driving at such high speed. The bike was completely stable.

Reaching 60kmph is an ease for this bike, attains it in no time. However speeds above 60kmph takes time and attains gradually. Coming to comfort, the bike is superbly designed. The rear GRS Suspension is so good, that I never had back pain after the drive (I had back pain problems before).

Looks of the bike are great. I have attached pics of side, front, rear, and top views of bike for you to decide the same.

Coming to the Cons

The bike is heavy and its a bit difficult to park in crowded places.
The same dirt problem. Too much dirt gets collected at the rear part during rainy season as the tyre hugger is very small.

Apologise the pillion rider in advance if you are taking him for a ride during rains. To Summarize, the bike offers good comfort, mileage, looks and handling. Yeah, it’s a perfect bike.

Regards,
Arjun

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Hero CBZ Xtreme Ownership Review by Lakshman

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 06:15 AM PDT

Original Source: Hero CBZ Xtreme Ownership Review by Lakshman from BikeAdvice.in

Hi Everyone! This is my first ever review of a bike in a website. I am a regular reader of BikeAdvice.in so I have decided to publish it here. When I was in under graduation of 2nd year my dad promised me to buy a bike but it was like stars in the morning my dad failed to make promise full fill but after my graduation has completed and when I was out of station my dad called and asked me what's your favorite bike without any hesitation I said hero CBZ Xtreme he said ok and there was no words again about the bike again my dad called after 9 days and asked me when are you returning I said 1st oct 2011 he said ok come without fail I said ok but I did not know that my dad was making a bike surprise party for me (Love you DAD & MOM).

Its 1st oct 2011 I reached my home town Hyderabad and it was as usual on 2nd oct but 3rd oct was a heavy surprise it was around 9 am in the morning my mom woke me up and said someone has come for you I went out and was surprised to see the bike in the Rain covered with a rexine cover I could not believe my eyes and I was in heaven I thanked my mom and dad for the surprise and had my bath and took the bike to the temple and made pooja.

Coming Straight Away to the Comparison of Old and New CBZ Xtreme

New digital – Analog combo meter console
All secure ignition switch with key shutter

During Day Time

During Night Time

Diamond lustre headlight

During day

During Night

Anti drag fuel tank.

5 spoke wheels & front and rear disc brakes.

Prism shell LED tail lamp

During Day

During Night

Rear shocks with GRS

Engine and Performance

As the same old engine this new beast also has a heart (Engine) of 149.2 cc which can produce Max Power 10.6 kW (14.4 PO@ 8500 rpm) Max Torque 12.80 N m @ 6500 rpm. It has got Carburettor of CV type with carburetor controlled variable ignition. No kick start if we want we can make it for 4000 extra as now a days no one requires it still its good to have but company fitted is best so I dint fix one for mine. In the place of kick we got a new AMI – Advanced Microprocessor Ignition System for starting bike which is worth a good technology.

Rating: ★★★★½

Transmission & Chassis

Cluch : Multiplate wet
Gear box : 5 Speed constant mesh
Chassis Type : Tabular, diamond type

Rating: ★★★★☆

Suspension

Front : Telescopic hydraulic type.
Rear : Rectuglar swing arm with 5 step adjustab gas reservior suspension which is very good step taken by hero by fitting GRS for the rear suspension.

Rating: ★★★★★

Coming to my review on engine I drove just 400 kms in which one was a small tour of 110 kms. I felt no vibrations when I drove my bike at a speed of 90 (Which I broke the rule of company just to check out engines stability). I drove on raw roads thanks to rear grs suspension and tubeless tires (filled with nitrogen air as most recommended).

I got over all mileage of 43-45 (under mixed conditions) before my first service. Once my 1st service is done I will re update about the proper mileage, since there is no change in engine I may get around 50- 53 as all the cbz old costumers are getting. I am happy with the mileage. I have tested the company add of 0-60kms in 5 sec approx under my testing conditions I got on to 0-60in 11 sec since I weight 93 my bike was not able to reach.

Thanks to hero for understanding young ster needs and made the seat split in to two and made us feel like moving in air. I was able to drive in 4 gear at a speed of 20 with no engine knockings on flat road but in first gear I wen I tried to reach high speeds the engine made lot of sound. I tried cornering It was stable thanks to anti drag fuel tank. Least but not the last the new tag line 'Live Off The Edge' suits it a lot.

Over all performance of the bike is very very good I give a rating of 4.6 / 5 and I am very happy and proud to have CBZ Xtreme (SAM – My bike name which I call it and make my friends call it since bike has got a heart in the form of Engine). On road price in Hyderabad is 78400 since my dad has got some friends he got it for 76000 it's a gift from my parents and will maintain it as gift through out my life.

Regards,
Lakshman

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Mahindra Rodeo Ownership Review by Jayant

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 12:30 AM PDT

Original Source: Mahindra Rodeo Ownership Review by Jayant from BikeAdvice.in

Hay, I am Jayant Ghosh and I am riding Mahimdra Rodeo for last two years (since it had been launched in India). My Rodeo color is cappuccino brown. I come from Marketing/brand management background and presently a Intellectual property right student (I have worked with car sales about five years) this gives me to write a thrilling review to write on Rodeo.

I hope my review will clear the confusion every bike/scooter lover needs to know about scooter industry marketing philosophy and understand the Brand Rodeo.

To start with I will first introduce with some basic brand personalities and perception of people they think of scooters in India with major brands discussed below,

Now, You Got a Basic Perception of Major Scooters in India.

Model	Personality	Perception	Pros & Cons
Honda Activa	Bold Look,Tried & Tested	I Want a Vehicle Which Every Body Thinks Best. Specialy the White One	Bad Braking Power, Good in Ride and Handling.
Suzuki Access	Contemporery Look and, Capable Performer.	I Cant Wait For Activa	Good in all Respect Except Exhaust Design and bad Battery Life.
Hero Pleasure	A Diminished Size of Activa with a Feminity Virtue.	I Can not Afford a Activa, also I Want a Lighter Vehicle than Activa	Good Value for Money. Uncomfortable in bad Roads.
TVS Wego	Bold Look, I Want to Compete with Activa	I Want Amuch Bigger Vehicle than Scooty PEP+ Appealing to both the Sex.	Best Ride Quality. Grippy Type and smooth engine bad after sales service.

Introduction

Welcome to the exciting world of Mahindra Rodeo, Indias next generation scooter. Rodeo changes the way scooters are defined. It ia solid, stylish, and high tech scooters crafted for young persons who embody the optimistic, confident and ambitious sprit of the youth of today.

Technological Connection

This international best selling scooter is brought to you by Europe's fastest growing two wheeler company SYM, now SYM is 1.1 billion dollar company with five factories around the Globe. It sells in more than 100 countries across the world and is recognized for its quality and technologically advanced products having won more than 25 awards on the world stage.

Looks

When we give a glance to Rodeo it looks some what a Hero Pleasure or a little big scooty. When I first looked Rodeo I never thought of buying it so every scooty buyer never thinks to buy Rodeo because in our mind there are so much choices as activa, wego, pleasure bla….bla. Hence Rodeo never comes to our consideration set.

Now take courage to give a closer look and touch it, Hold the handle bar and put it in your middle, give a view from top headlight portion to front mudguard will automatically know how Rodeo is light years ahead than any scooter, it's the most aerodynamic and redefines the meaning of compactness among Indian scooters.

Any modern man/women can not resist to drive it and fall in love with it. That is why Brand ambassador Kareena Kapoor rightly says " drive ke liye kuch bhi karenga ".

Performance

Mahindra has positioned Rodeo as power scooter, but if I compare it with it with power of Activa's 110 cc, the power in Activa is mostly concentrated on lower revs, that's why when you open the throttle in Active the acceleration is abrupt at 0-20kmph but when you move further then things gets normal, push it towards above 60kmph, things gets harder and at around 80 kmph the engine loose its smoothness.

And quality. Now you may be thinking when I am writing on Rodeo why I am writing on Activa's performance. This is because Rodeo's performance is just the opposite of Activa. As all the power band of Rodeo is towards upper revs that's why when you open throttle the pick up is normal at 0-20 kmph (which is good for female's) then move further then it shows its true color.

It easily manages 60-80 kmph. And it never loose its poise at even 80 kmph. It is smooth and soundless at this top end speed which no other scooter can perform. In uphill driving it is superb even at 45 Degree inclination, it shows its massive torque leaving behind all successful 100-110 cc scooters in obsolete product range.

Ride & Handling

The Handling is up to the world class, put it to any corner you will feel secure and confident. Its compact dimension give extra edge in cities congested traffic condition, also move to open toad and hairpin bends its large wheelbase and lower center of gravity along with Aviation tire technology of Dunlop is like blessing handler.

The front suspension is jittery when passing over small uneven surfaces translating shocks to hands grip but it does not transmit it other parts likewise. The rear suspension Is like seatng at back seat of a car. It never transmit a hard shocks to backbone.

This is the best scooter if you have any backbone related problem and even can be taken for long rides, push Rodeo hard in bad road you will be surprised to see all other cars and Scooters are in your rear view mirror only. That is why its name is "RODEO".

Brakes

The brakes are benchmark here, you can control at any speed you drive. It is on your obedience at any panic condition. The next generation braking is what it termed. This is the only scooter which is really a blessing for females, this is the safest scooter in their hand. Large drums along with pro-sus system makes this happen where the horizontal deceleration force converts into vertical force making it positive impact during controlling the vehicle. (When applying both brakes simultaneously).

Fuel Consumption

Do not expect 40 kmpl beyond milege in congested normal drive. Though other scooters in India exceeds this limit by very marginal value, say more frugal by 5 kmpl in 100-125 cc range or 10 kmpl In 70cc tvs scooty. This scooter is not for people (Indian mentallity), "Gari ka milege kya Hai ". Because you have to understand that all this scooters use auto gear variator system.

Which can't produce best fuel efficiency. All scooter available in India are all Japanese counterpart where they all set for high milege, but remember Rodeo is by European and Italian technology counterpart whose engineered value are based on driving pleasure, quality and most importantly safety aspect. After all Rodeo is world brand, designed for European and first world countries.

Features

Features? what I will do with it because I will move from point A to point B in city! Generally this the perception that all we have regarding a scooter purchase. But Rodeo has been crafted with different perception with more youthful need. And more personal desires to splendor the art of aestheticism.

The craftsmanship can be seen with its rounded Tachometer (first time in India) spirited with seven color mode to shoot your mood as when you are in romance mood turn it to red, when cool turn it to blue, or set it to your own choice, after all our joys are related to colors, why not reflect.

It in our vehicles dashboard. The other interesting features include high speed warning of 60 kmph in night driving, digital milometer and clock, trip meter, overtaking timer in milliseconds (first time in any Indian scooter), fuel gauge and low fuel indicator, Easy stand, side stand with side stand indicator, 12 volt mobile charging point, body color folding, Rear view mirror, Illuminated luggage space, the biggest luggage space to increase your space.

Utility, ergonomically designed handlebar grips, Antitheft magnetic lock, front fueling (spring loaded) so that you do not have to come down or look back during fueling which is class apart and miles ahead in comparison to other scooter. One more very important aspect is that it comes with supercharged high life battery so that battery does not run down easily and gives instant start at any weather.

Downsides

Mahindra have to work hard to strengthen their servicing network, lower ground clearance, soft suspension, Along with rear stand makes the lower portion center stand touch in our idiotic hand made bumpers in urban roads, if you are of large physic, heavy weighted person Rodeo. Will not suit with your personality. Expensive to buy than tvs scooty and Hero Pleasure.

Plus Side

Flawless driving pleasure in city traffic condition, can be used for long drives and high ways too, easiest, convenient and safest for female scooter riders, maximum best dickey space. Supercharged battery, most compact and streamlined scooter. Trouble free and maintains free, well distributed body weight. Feels super light. No waiting period, price wise less than Activa.

Summary

Rodeo is introduction of SYM to Indian market by Mahindra twowheeler It is indeed a bold step by Mahindra, when we all look to buy scooter which is most wide Famed like Active or economy-brand as pleasure etc.., Rodeo fills the gap of desire of a segment who wants a real world brand with European values in mind.

Rodeo has changed the definition of compact and aerodynamic scooters in India After all it is the time we welcome the next Generation scooters in India and reject all mass market scooters and give our females and ourselves one of the safest scooters in the earth, and move our driving pleasure, aesthetic value to the next level.

Welcome Sym. Welcome Mahindra. Welcome to the Next Genaration Scooters. Welcome Rodeo.

Regards,
Jayant Ghosh

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Tuesday, October 18, 2011