Superb Machine. Review on Hero Honda Achiever

I am owning this bike since Feb 2006, and completed 5 years with little or no issues. I am writing this review as a mark of respect to this beautiful bike from Hero Honda. I have completed 62, 400 kms till date in the last 5 years on my companion called the 'ACHIEVER'...

Here are Specification, which is almost same as Unicorn

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Engine 4 - Stroke Air Cooled

Displacement 149.1 cc

Max Power 10 kw (13.4 bhp)

Gears 5

Frame Diamond cradle

Rear Tyre is Tuff Tubed

Headlight 35W / 35W Halogen Bulb

My bike has drum brake on both wheels

How it looks

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When Hero Honda decided to manufacturer Achiever, it picked cues in quantity from its Ambition and Unicorn models. Achiever bears a striking resemblance to the Ambition model when it comes to overall appearance. Apart from front fairing and the instrument cluster, every other design element has been picked up from the Ambition. And the power pack has been lifted from the Honda Unicorn. The two motors are almost identical, save a minuscule 0.1bhp increase.

The tank, side panels, or the tailpiece same as Hero Honda Ambition. Its other features regarding looks and styling are well sculpted fuel tanks with cool knee indents, a multi-reflector headlight with a halogen lamp and a position lamp, uniquely designed muffler with heat shield, dual tone painted chain case, Spokes wheeled, functional visor, switch gear lifted from Unicorn again , single down tube chassis.

Engine

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The Achiever’s four-stroke engine head and barrel are constructed of aluminium-alloy. Its an air-cooled, and twin-valve equipped motor with 149.1cc displacement. Bearings are deployed on the rocker arms of the bike, and so is a CV carburettor. This Hero Honda has chosen a pleated-paper air filter element for breathing, and uses an integrated two-way air-jacket for better heat dispersion from its cylinder-heads. I need not stress again that it is same as Unicorn engine again.

The LOW END TORQUE (LET)is the big differentiator compared to Unicorn, Achiever develops maximum torque at 500 RPM less than that of Unicorn, making Achiever TECHNICALLY more fuel efficient than Unicorn. Achiever has the BEST LET in the 150cc bike range EVEN TODAY.

Ride

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I am not sure the difference between the gear ratios on the Achiever and Unicorn, but achiever hurries upto 100kmph compared to Unicorn and I heard that it can make 100kmph speed under 18 secs, and I am sure this bike can do it w/o any doubts. It has five-speed gears, one-down and four-up gearshift. Clutch feel is good. On the road, the engine is silent, vibe free and delights with its fur like smoothness. The Achiever does not cry or crib when ridden hard. Honestly I have not explored it's top end capabilities as I am a sane rider and since my bike has no disc on front, it's quite scary to cross 90 kmph speed limit, however I have done 120kmph few times and the bike felt it still has some guts to reach higher (speedo indicated). The biggest character of Achiever is Smoothness and seamless gearbox which makes every ride a pleasure.

Fuel economy

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This is another big take away, in first two years the bike gave me consistently 55+kmpl and not it's about 48-50kmpl (last measured in Oct2010). On highways with sane driving the bike can easily cross FE of 60+kmpl, but I haven't measured.

Build Quality

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Over 5 years I can say this bike's build quality has exceeded my expectation, however HH service stations are not that good as reported in media circles, some times they change parts prematurely. Chain set was replaced at 30K kms, when I inspected the sprockets and chain there was no damage/wear nor did new chain set made any chage to ride quality/transmission quality. From last two years I am servicing at Catsrol bike zone (one in a year, gold service), I buy spares from Hero Honda showroom and monitor Castrol guys put the part I give them. The maintainence is low if you do it intelligently, it may go up if you trust Hero Honda service stations.

Hero Honda Idemitsu Engine oil is best and also costs least, one can try Shell AX5 it's a nice oil.

Tribiute & complaint

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I thank Hero Honda for this bike, my sincere thanks to Hero Honda again for producing this beauty inspite of poor sales. However I want complain that their service is money minded and good parts are removed for no reason. I can show that a chain set lasts for even 60K kms if maintained properly (play & gear oil) at every 2000 kms.

I suggest Hero Honda to have company owned service centres and do honest job instead of opening franchises who are hell bent on money making. Honda's all service centres are company owned, hence no part is changed unless it is absolutely required.

Recommendation

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This bike is still in production, and probably is also the cheapest of all 150cc plus its engine parts are direct fit from Unicorn. Hero Honda too has not let me down in terms of spares, all spares are avialable. However after free services I recommend not to give the bike for service at Hero Honda, just top up/change oil, clean air filter, maintain chain regulary, that's it, the bike will last 50+K without any issues.

I hope Hero Honda has read my review as well, they need to be more honest while changing parts.

Overall I rate this bike as one of the finest one even in the current range of 150cc bikes, I am sure Achiever still is the most fuel efficient bike in 150cc bike range b'cos of it's BEST LET.