With the Shine 100, Honda is venturing into an area that it has averted because it launched into its solo journey in India a decade in the past — the 100cc phase. Honda already has quite a few inexpensive 110cc bikes, however the price targets of those price range bikes are so tight that Honda says it needed to design a brand new engine and chassis to cost this new bike as aggressively as potential.
With buyer deliveries nearly to start out, Honda invited us to check out the bike. Since these are unregistered pre-production bikes, we have been solely permitted to experience them throughout the confines of Aamby Valley metropolis. Whereas that also leaves lots to find, it was sufficient to be taught what this bike is about.
Consolation and experience high quality
What strikes you first is exceptionally gentle and simple really feel of the bike. Honda’s efforts to create a brand new diamond body have resulted in a kerb weight of 99kg which is a full 13kg lower than each Honda’s personal CD 110 Dream Deluxe and Hero’s Splendor + and HF Deluxe. Featherweight however, the using place is totally impartial and upright that even a six footer like me might discover loads of house on this little bike with its low 786mm seat peak. That most likely has one thing to do with the lengthy seat that easily flows into the gas tank, which, in Honda’s personal phrases, makes the Shine “perfect for comfy multi-passenger lengthy rides”.
The roads inside Aamby Valley metropolis are fairly good, however on the few tough patches we encountered, the Shine struck an excellent stability in its suspension consolation. It’s neither too delicate nor too agency and the bike absorbs bumps fairly properly. Even with a pillon, the experience was comfy — the Shine managed to retain its composure with out shedding an excessive amount of journey within the twin rear shocks. The place it did wrestle a bit was on steep uphill climbs, with each our weights.
Efficiency and mileage
This 98.98cc engine relies on Honda’s current 110 unit from the CD 110 Dream and it shares the identical 47mm bore, however the firm claims that many inner elements have modified. With 7.38hp, it’s about 0.6hp down on energy in comparison with the Hero Splendor and HF Deluxe, however it makes the identical 8.05Nm at 5,000rpm, which is 1,000rpm decrease than the Heros.
The bike makes use of a 4-speed gearbox with an all-up shift sample.
First and second gears are tremendous quick, as is the case with most elementary commuters, so the Shine 100 will be capable to climb steep slopes with loads of load, however strive doing this in fourth and even third gear and the bike will wrestle to the purpose of eventual give up. That is to be anticipated given the modest energy figures, however what is sweet is that the engine is refined with only some vibrations to be felt at larger revs. Our bike had barely run 150km, so with a couple of extra kilometers and an oil change, the engine will solely grow to be smoother. The gear shifts have been additionally adequate and the clutch lever felt gentle and simple.
As for the all-important query of gas effectivity, Honda claims that it is going to be phase main, however on the similar time the corporate refuses to share an official gas effectivity quantity. It seems that clients must take Honda’s phrase for it, however hopefully it received’t be lengthy earlier than we are able to put this bike by way of a correct street take a look at to seek out out for ourselves.
Design, match and end
Design clever, the Shine 100 seems to be just like its greater brother the Shine 125, however park them facet by facet and you will note that the 100 seems to be smaller and extra diminutive. This can be a good factor and it ought to limit cannibalisation, one thing Honda will likely be eager to realize because the Shine 125 is their bestselling bike by far.
The stickers on the gas tank and facet panels in addition to the small chrome garnish look good. As you’d count on, options are at a naked minimal and when you do get alloy wheels you additionally must handle with tubed tyres and a entrance drum brake. Nonetheless, the inclusion of a facet stand down engine kill is sweet. However, a better look reveals that high quality could possibly be higher. Some metallic surfaces might do with a greater end and the proper facet plastic quarter panel has a shocking quantity of flex in it. Then once more, how a lot are you able to count on at this value?
The decision
At an introductory value of ₹64,900, the Shine 100 undercuts the most cost effective Splendor by almost ₹9,000 and the equal electrical start-enabled HF Deluxe by ₹1,500. Such value aggression is new for Honda, however will it’s sufficient to make a major dent in Hero’s large numbers? A whole lot of that may rely on how aggressive Honda is with its on-ground gross sales and advertising and marketing methods and time will certainly inform.