Honda CB Twister Review and Road Test : BikeAdvice |  |
| Honda CB Twister Review and Road Test Posted: 04 Oct 2011 10:21 AM PDT
Original Source: Honda CB Twister Review and Road Test from BikeAdvice.in I got a chance to drive Honda Twister on last Sunday morning. My friend owned a Grey Twister three weeks ago and we were waiting for RTO registration till date. I had driven it for 60 kms including city roads and highway with two halts. So here I am presenting my review for little Honda Twister.
Engine and TransmissionIt falls into 110 cc segment. The engine produces sufficient power to roam in the city with this 110 cc capacity. Engine looks very tiny and engine compartment almost appears roomy. That helps in improving the cooling of engine. Heat generated from the engine during long journey is in moderate region in comparison with other bike in this segment.
Twister is having longest inlet manifold in 110 cc segment with decreasing cross section towards engine inlet. This cross section helps to create better swirl in the inlet manifold to mix the petrol with air. Another attractive feature of this bike is recirculation of exhaust gases into the cylinder. This high temperature exhaust gases help to improve the initial vaporization of petrol in the inlet manifold itself.
Then this vaporized mixture of air and petrol is supplied to the cylinder for further vaporization. This is done with the help of small EGR unit embedded in space above the engine. A vacuum pipe from inlet manifold is connected to the diaphragm of EGR unit. The vacuum in the inlet manifold controls the opening of diaphragm valve.
Vacuum created in the inlet manifold is the only factor that decides how much exhaust gases should be circulated in the circuit (Obviously the total quantity is very small because of small engine capacity). You can observe one pipe connection coming out from cylinder block of Twister nearer to exhaust port. This connection takes the exhaust gases from the manifold and delivers it to the EGR unit. After sufficient opening of the diaphragm valve, exhaust gases are propelled up to the air filter. The wet type air filter removes the heavy carbon and dust particles from the exhaust gases. After passed through a filter, the exhaust gases are mixed with the fresh air and petrol in the carburettor and sent to the cylinder. With the help of these two astonishing stuffs, my friend is getting fuel consumption of 68 kmpl in his Twister.
Engine runs very smoothly up to 60 kmph while driving with pillion and bike preserves its name "Twister". After 60 kmph, engine becomes bit hard and generates some juddering and noise. I guess, Twister can maximum go up to 90 kmph. Transmission is one of the best attractions of this bike. The gear shifter travel is very small and gear shifting is very easy. Clutch lever travel is also very small.
In combination, both the levers reduce effort to shift the gear. We can say a perfect butter smooth shifting. I personally feel that the clutch free pedal is diminutive. This tends to wear the clutch plates earlier than normally does. With 110 cc engine capacity, Pick up of the bike is just up to the mark. You can observe a small oil leakage from top up cap during these 60 kms in one of the photo. Rating for Engine and Transmission: Handling and BalancingHandling and balancing of the bike depend on CG point, weight, tyres, suspensions, frame construction, wheelbase, and steering geometry. Twister is noticeably very light weight machine: thanks to optimized double cradle diamond type steel tubed frame and FRP parts. Optimization of the frame is exposed at the axle of swing arm mounting.
A unique sectional element is used at this mounting instead of using heavy fabricated steel stripes. Many other locations are there to observe the light weight frame construction. Also the engine compartment is very spacious. This tends to shift the CG bit high. As the CG is at considerable height, it is difficult to retain the balance constantly. That is why you have to move the steering constantly from one side to another in dense traffic. The steering system is also bit light weight than other bikes; it is easy to shift the steering from one side to another. Steering geometry is perfectly designed for driving in city. Wheelbase is small which opposes the longitudinal stability of the bike because of which Twister is not suitable for highways.
Besides this, short wheelbase helps to prevent the long turning radius and pitching of the bike. That's why; Twister becomes most favourable bike for city roads. I think rear tyre is over optimized for improving mileage. Too thin tyre losses its grip at the time of sudden acceleration as well as on the wet roads. This tyre serves sufficiently during normal ride. Rating for Handling and Balancing: Braking and AccelerationAcceleration of Twister is just like a dirt bike. The front wheel easily gets lifted a little if you don't synchronise between clutch release and accelerator twist. It is not because of power developed by the engine, but because of torque delivered to the rear wheel through first gear reduction and chain drive reduction.
Twister is advisable to drive up to 15 kmph on 1st gear, up to 30 kmph on 2nd gear, up to 40 kmph on 3rd gear and above 40 kmph on 4th gear for better mileage and braking. Both the front and rear brakes are efficient for stopping the bike within 10 mtrs from 60 kmph. Rating for Acceleration: Rating for Braking: Instrumentation and ControlInstrumentation panel comes with unique shape and checkered stickers but without any digital screen. Speedometer pointer vibrates too much because of which it is difficult to read the correct speed. Other instrumentation contains very basic stuffs like neutral indicator, side light indicator, high beam light indicator and fuel level indicator. These indicators are evenly distributed on panel.
Not a single control is provided on right hand side in basic model. All the controls are on clutch side. Deeper light switch is push button type which may has small life then the conventional one. Quality of the switches is not up to the mark and looks very dull. Rating for Instrumentation: Rating for Control: ElectricalsHead light looks attractive and sufficient capable to illuminate the road. Both the low and high beam filaments are incorporated in a single bulb.
Tail light shape is also good and looks gorgeous at night. Side lights look very conventional. Horn is audible within 50 mtrs area in dense traffic. Rating for Electricals: ErgonomicsErgonomics deals with the ease of driver to drive and control the bike. The distance between steering handle and seating position is small. It is not advisable to drive Twister for long distance if you are having height more than 5ft 8in. You might get pain in your wrist, triceps and shoulders. I think Twister has got stiffest kick ever in the history of Indian bikes. My friend has already registered his complain about kick at Honda head office. Honda people have started working on his complain. Controlling the Twister is not very big issue as the top speed and weight of the bike is in limit. Rating for Ergonomics: Aesthetics
As per my opinion, Twister is the best looking bike with in 110 cc segment. Majority exteriors are made from FRP with pleasurably gorgeous shapes. Though it is a 110 cc capacity bike it appears muscular. Fuel tank along with the sharp knife edge cowls provide macho look to this tiny packet. Rear view mirrors are with twisted octagonal shape and look good enough. Paint quality is excellent unveils the Honda standards. Rating for Aesthetics: Overall Rating and Summary (110 cc Segment)
The most worthy bike within 110 cc. Very light weight and just made for driving on the city roads. It is not at all suitable for constant long journey on highways because of small fuel tank capacity and small wheelbase. It is a machine with excellent aesthetics and better mileage. It costs between 51,000 (Basic model) to 54,000 (Top model). Overall Rating: Regards, Related posts: |
| Yamaha R15 Version 2.0 Review and Road Test Posted: 03 Oct 2011 09:23 PM PDT
Original Source: Yamaha R15 Version 2.0 Review and Road Test from BikeAdvice.in Lemme begin the review of the Yamaha YZF R15 V2.0 by giving an introduction to Bangalore Wheels. Bangalore Wheels is an authorized Yamaha showroom located in Rajaji Nagar, Bangalore. I approached Mr. T.M.Prabu to have a talk on getting the R15 V2.0 for the purpose of reviewing exclusively for BikeAdvice. Prabu, himself being a biker by heart was indeed happy to offer the bike to us. But, then the bike had not arrived that day to the showroom. So, I was left with no other option but to wait till she comes to the Silicon Valley of India.
One fine day I got a call from him when I was in college and Prabu was on the other side. The info that he passed to me made me bunk my class and go to the showroom right away. He just said, "Naren, the bike is ready. When do you want her?" Am I a nut to say "Well, not now!" I was in the showroom in the next 70th minutes; 20 minutes to unwrap my jacket and glove to pack them. The remaining 50 minutes was all that I had to ride amidst the (usual and boring) heavy Bangalore traffic and reach Bangalore Wheels.
Now, the bike which made Indian bikers go mad and wait for about half a year was calmly standing for me to take complete control of her. I saw the bike which was standing in the entrance of Bangalore Wheels even before entering the main doors and she was damn appealing. Though, I'd already seen this bike in Delhi at the time of launch in Le Meridian hotel, she still made me stare her for a couple of minutes. Oh Man, she was gorgeous.
I took the bike along the open highway in order to get to know every single impression she was ready to give me. Since I'd been using the previous version of the R15 for pretty long time, I was eager to know in what manner will she differentiate her from her ancestor. Gorgeousness Just Got BetterThe R15 to be in specific and Yamaha bikes in general are usually head turners when it comes to their design concept. This is in fact something for which this Japanese giant is known for and is the key factor for the company's success in the Indian sub continent. The close resemblance of this bike to the R6 (which is my favourite among all Yamahas) has made he looks of this female stunning. There is not much of difference in the front half when compared with the older model, nay the previous model. The front fairing has not seen any change and thereby it's the trademark R15, when taken a look from the front angle. However, the alloy wheels have undergone a slight cosmetic change. They are shroud with 5 spoke alloy bearing double bar design.
The rear part of the bike is just an R6, if the front half would be covered. The R6 inspired tail light is the beat of all the replacement that the new version is gifted with. Amazing thought by Yamaha engineers. The split seats are perfect race bike inspired and offers the best of the sporty looks which no other bike in India can even boast of. The way the rear number plate is positioned is inspired from hardcore sport bikes. It actually hangs down in the air.
The exhaust is another area where considerable changes had occurred. The ending shape of the muffler is new and classy. The muffler cover is now a kind of black matte sheet with self design embossed on it. This is something which I've never seen in any other bike. Though, doesn't solve any purpose or looks catchy, it is not weird in terms of looks. A small metal strip bearing the name 'R15'.
The side fairing is also to an extent, R6 inspired and there are air vents all along the side which besides catering to the purpose of preventing overheating, also enhances the looks of the bike to a greater extent. HandlingHandling of the previous version of the R15 had nothing to grumble about. But, I had indeed mentioned in one of the R15 road test that the company has to upgrade its rear tyre to more bulky one and that has come true with the version 2.0. The rear tyre is now 130/70-R17 which has also resulted in addition of weight on the rear. Moreover, the rear wheel is now 'Radial'! This is something to rejoice, truly. To mention a word about the bike's front tyre, it is 90/0-R17 in terms of its dimension.
The new wider tyre offers decent road grip than the older one. I tried riding the bike off the road along muddy surface for about a mile and the bike didn't deviate a lot out of the line. This will have a direct impact when the bike is tested in the racetrack. Cornering this bike is as fun as the older one.
There is one fact I need to share with our readers at this point of the write up. I've always felt that the R15 is the perfect bike for a stoppie and the FZ is the one for a wheelie. But, the bulky rear wheel makes it a little difficult to pull the rear wheel up. Still, that's not impossible but just a little more effort is required. Instrument Cluster
It is exactly the same as the old one. The bike houses a fully digital console with a set of two tripmeters, fuelmeter except the tachometer which is in the analog format. There is nothing much to share about this cluster at this point of time. Riding ImpressionThe seating position for the rider has not seen any change and hence offers the best of sporty riding position. The new rear tyre makes the bike more trustable at high speeds. The new version lacks the grunt while revving the bike at lower RPMs, which should be the result of the new ECU that this bike is fitted with. But, once the bike crosses 4000 RPM range, it handles brilliantly without any major vibration.
I pushed the bike to 134 kmph and that was all the bike was able to go as it was a brand new bike and the speedo showed just 0.8 kms on the speedo when I took her out freshly from the showroom. A regularly used bike should be able to hit 140 kmph mark on a long straight stretch. This is pretty similar to the speed of the previous version R15. The best part is that the R15 V2.0 exhibits its Racing Instinct, not only in the track but along the highway too. The suspension hasn't seen any change but the revamp in design in the rear makes you feel that the suspension is also better than the previous R15.
However, it would have been a greater experience if Yamaha had launched this version with an optional ABS too. Would have been really fun then; time for Yamaha to launch bikes with ABS for the Indian market. If possible, C-ABS would be even more great. Rear Seat
This is the controversial part of this bike. As I'd mentioned earlier, this is more of a sport bike unlike the old version which is majorly designed to cater the commuting purpose. The rear seat is too high and irrespective of the height of the pillion rider and irrespective of it being he or she will find it difficult to sit during city commuting.
The reason attributed for this uncomfortness is the height of the seat as mentioned a little earlier. A hard brake will make them move front which towards the end irritates the rider's position. However, this is not gonna be the case during long rides. The pillion seat is claimed to be Slip Resistant by Yamaha. But, the failure of a grab rail makes pillion rider's position complicated, although it enhances the bike's looks greatly.
But, as far as I've observed, most R15 users don't go about with a pillion rider. If you think that the frequency of you, going out with another person is considerably low, you can proceed with this sexy bike. Impressive FactorsIt is not possible to bluntly conclude that the bike has only undergone mere cosmetic upgrades and nothing else. Yamaha YZF R15 V2.0 becomes the first Indian 150 cc bike to house an Aluminium SwingArm, which has aided in weight loss compared with the earlier SwingArm.
The engine ECU is tuned for improved performance, which is felt at the time of revving the bike at high speeds. This would probably make the power felt in the closed circuits. Brakes are another impressive factor about the new version R15. The dimensions of it are mentioned above. So, I don't wanna touch upon it again. Fuel Economy
The figure will almost be more or less similar to the previous version as there are not much of engine tweaks done except the ECU getting tuned. The Yamaha YZF R15 V2.o should return in the range of 38+ kmpl if properly taken care of, which is a good figure for a sportbike which can perform as good as this. I personally feel there is nothing to regret about this figure. Overall Performance
Overall, this bike is a perfect piece of art from Yamaha. It doesn't ditch the expectations of a guy with biking spirit instilled inside him. However, it is to be clearly mentioned that this is not the bike for pillion riders. This is the only drawback when it comes to overall performance of this bike. Riding experience is something you'll treasure for a long time and will take time to get faded out from your memory. The interest and the intensity of the effort that Yamaha has put in designing of this bike have not gone fruitless and this is some fact for which the company is really to be appreciated for. Though the overall weight of the bike has gone up by another 5 kg, it is all part of _______ weight and hence doesn't affect the performance. To comment about the bike in one line, 'The Perfect Sportbike For India Has Gone Even More Sportier In Terms Of Visual Attractiveness And Performance'. When I reviewed the earlier version of the R15 a long time back, I still remember offering a comprehensive score of 4.5/5 and I don't mind offering the same score again for this hotty. Comprehensive Score : 4.5 / 5BikeAdvice thanks BangaloreWheels, the authorized showroom for Yamaha located in Rajaji Nagar, Bangalore for their constant and consistent support offered to us which has helped us greatly in coming up if this review.
I personally hope this review has aided our dear readers to a greater extent in getting to know more about the Yamaha YZF R15 V2.0. Here is the brief specification list of the Yamaha YZF-R15 V2.0 Engine
Engine Type : Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valve Chassis
Frame Type : Deltabox Dimensions
Regards, Related posts: |
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