Cbz!can anything better than it?. Review on Comelle

INTRODUCTION

HERO HONDA CBZ

List price (ex-showroom, Mumbai) Rs 54,100-59,600

Top speed 113kph

0-60kph 5.31sec

Kpl 53.0 (overall)

For Ride, handling, performance.

Against Low mileage, potential running costs, poor switchgear.

Design & EThe CBZ is probably the best looker of the lot, although its edge has been blunted by time, and by the arrival of well-styled competition.

It is sleek and sporty, the most classically styled of the trio. This is a comfortable bike, and we particularly liked the design of the knee recesses on the fuel tank — the only ones here really capable of accommodating the taller rider. The riding position is sporty, with rear-set footrests, and a forward riding stance. Where the CBZ loses out is in the quality of its switchgear, the action and feel of which are below par for the segment, and — we know this from experience — does not last too long. Unlike the others, the CBZ does not have an aircraft-style fuel filler cap, mounted flush on the fuel tank.ngineering

ENIGNE, GEARBOX & PERFORMANCE

The CBZ’s size advantage is clear: neither the TVS nor the Bajaj can match the 156.6cc, 12.62bhp engine along the straights; 0-60kph comes in 5.31s, nearly a second less than the others. Power is healthy throughout the rev band, and is delivered in a pleasing, linear manner. The bike has a lovely, sporty gearbox; using its one-down/four-up shift is a lot more fun than the all-down ’boxes of the other two. The gearing makes the bike incredibly flexible: in top gear, it can go from 30kph right up to its top speed, 113kph. Still, H-H hasn’t got the plot quite right: the exhaust note was strangely muted and unhealthy, and the engine vibrated disturbingly between 5000-5500rpm. The CBZ has a slide-type carburettor, unlike the more modern CV-type carbs on the other bikes: this may cause the bike’s performance to vary according to conditions. The spongy clutch was another low point; a more rigid cable holder where the cable meets the actuating lever would have helped.

RIDE, HANDLING & BRAKES

If a bike is to be a fun ride, it needs a well-sorted chassis, and the CBZ has just that. An excellent set-up makes the perfect compromise between sharp handling and a comfortable ride. Plus, the rear tyre —widest of the three here — gives it grip of a kind simply unavailable on the others. Take the CBZ off the leash on a snaking road, and neither the Bajaj nor the F2 will see which way it went. Chassis flex is minimal and stability is impressive too: were we heading for the racetrack, the CBZ is the bike we’d take along. Its brakes were the strongest as well, bringing the bike to a halt from 60kph in 16.3 metres; the other two were not far behind, so close as makes no difference. This isn’t a shock, however, as all three had identical brake set-ups: 240mm discs in front, and 130mm drums at the rear. The F2 and Pulsar are also available with 130mm front drum brakes.

FUEL ECONOMY

This is the flip side of the CBZ’s stellar performance: its fuel efficiency is the worst here, and by quite a margin. Hero Honda’s odd choice of a slide-type carb is shown up here; possibly, the thick rear tyre is another culprit: mileage is only 49.8kpl in the city, and 56.3kpl on the highway

VERDICT

The CBZ is the most focused bike of this trio, setting its sights squarely on performance. It is the most powerful, has the sportiest riding position, the best-sorted chassis and the widest rear tyre. On a fast, winding road, the CBZ will blow the other two away. Unfortunately, this bent towards performance also translates to poor fuel economy and high running costs, giving the bike poor real-world practicality.

The CBZ makes the most sense if you have the time on your hands to get out of the city and go blasting through the hills. And if your pockets are deep enough, of course. This is the most expensive bike, the thirstiest, and spares are likely to cost quite a bit, too.