The Legend. Review on Hero Honda CBZ - Disc Brake

Circa 1999. I am doing a speedo-indicated 80kmph on an open and lonely stretch of road on my dad's Chetak. The scooter's screaming its lungs (read engine) out. I'm in motoring nirvana. The sweet sound of a Chetak doing its top speed. Then, outta nowhere comes this thing and whizzes past me. No prizes for guessing which bike it was. I was too taken in by the CBZ bug. I was left watching the fat 100section rear of the bike. Then, maybe in an attempt to make me jealous (?), he slowed down and we were side to side. I wasn't looking at the road. I was busy concentrating at the bike. The riders stance was so sexy, with the swept back footpegs and low handlebars. The bike was shining in the mid-day sun showing its true colours. Pun definately intended. Oh man, what shape, what style, what charisma I thought to myself. The way the tank melted to the sidepanels and the sidepanels to the rear cowl was absolutely fantastic. A sight for sore eyes indeed.

Some days later, me and my friend went to a showroom to take a test-ride. There it was in red, looking as glossy and muscular as ever. The guys at the showroom weren't ready to give us a test-ride as hordes of youngsters were wanting to have one go at the bike. After half and hour of explaining/pleading/asking/requesting/begging the salesmen, we finally were alloyed to ride the bike. I sat down first. Previously ridden only a KB100 and CD100, this type of feel was really new and fresh. Folded the pegs, kick started it and it settled down in a neat trum-thrum note. Put the bike into first and let the clutch go slowly. YEAH. Then second gear, then third. I was uncomfortable initially, because of the sporty stance, being fed to a daily diet of commuters. Traffic gone, and a deserted road ahead, and I said to myself ''what the heck?!'' and at a speed of 40 kmph downshifted into second gear and accelerated. My heart stopped pounding. It was as if I was in a matrix and things were moving slowly about me. I started hearing weird noises in a weird slow and heavy voice. Later, I figured it out to be the salesguy who was trying to stop me by every means possible.:D:D

Double riding the bike, there I was doing 100kmph on a brand new bike (in 4th gear!!!) with the HH Salesman threatening me with ''dire consequences''!:D Maybe he was doing such speeds for the first time. I was hooked.

Cut to 1 year after, in 2000, one of my friend bought the bike. And was he a hero among us all. Our group had the likes of a Chetaks, RX100s, Shoguns and even an Esteem! And this guy was allover the place. Suddenly all the gals had a soft spot for him. Bloody #^$%

I've now ridden his bike to many destinations (with him pillion ofcourse), till I bought my Zma. The riding impressions were before buying my bikes. The first gear seemed so bleedy tall( like shogun's). Second and third had nice and linear acceleration. Fourth was nice and tall, and fifth was overdrive.

The Honda-inspired stylingwas contemprary and too stylish for that time. The engine block was big and sat upright for a change from the splendors and CD 100's of the world. The silencer was angled up and its matte black and chrome contrasts seemed very enticing. The front end treatment was brilliant comprising of a small bikini faring and a swell looking headlamp.

The switch gear is of good quality, while the brake and clutch lever could do with some quality enhancing. Instrumentation is comprehensive, when you consider the bikes of those times. A Tachometer was considered a luxury those times! Its another matter that the RD had a tacho since the very beginning.

The ergonomics are perfect, its just that one needs to get used to flipping down the foot-rest after kick-starting. And do I need to elaborate on the riding position aspect?

In a straight line drag, we were told by the showroom guys, the CBZ could do a 60 kph run in 5.5 seconds flat and could propel itself to speeds of upto 120kmph! The Honda engine like any other performance bike, needs to be revved hard for all its true powers to be shown. Though, from the start, I didn't believe in that darn TPFC system. The CBZ came with a five-speed gear box (not the first one mind you, that honour goes to the TVS Shaolin) with the fifth cog being Overdrive refusing to rev over 7500 rpm. Now, that means the top speed would be achieved in fourth gear. While the third gear went till about 90-92kmph, the next gear went past the 100kmph mark comfortably. But a main point for dissatisfaction was the unrefined nature of the engine, and that annoying harshness and vibrations at high revs.

Mileage you ask? Hehe, CBZ doesn't have that word in its comprehensive dictionary. Returns a measly 35-45kmpl. After CD100's and KB100's, thats #$#%.

Hero Honda also offered disc brakes as an option for the front end, and that too is not the first in Indian biking. The first one being the Fury. Also do I need to mention, how the CBZ handles? Its been there done that. Scraping pegs and all that stuff way before the Pulsars came in.

With a female pillion on the ''slanting'' seat, things start to get rosy, if you know what I mean. ;-) and you suddenly find yourself using a bit more brakes than required. :D

The 2 Strokers pale in comparisn to the CBZ except maybe the RX100 and Shogun. They may get away initially, but that'll not last too long...

And best of all, being a Honda its as reliable as ever.

The bike which kickstarted the so called ''performance'' evolution in India way before Dhoom, Hayabusas, Zmas and Pulsars took over the Indian Mentality.

Hail the king. The Hero Honda CBZ...

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