Mar 15, 2014 08:30 PM
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Honda is the world leader in the two wheelers segment. Having built a strong platform and laying down a firm foundation in the Indian two wheelers segment with simple yet practical and intelligent launches at appropriate times, HMSI are at a point where they aim to reach for the crown. Having parted ways with Hero Moto Corp, and after thoroughly exploring the Indian two wheelers market, with the current fuel crisis scenario, I believe Honda have got it bang on once again with the launch of a thorough bred, die hard commuter. What makes this commuter so interesting is its name. If you would recall, the very first motorcycle developed and launched by Mr. Soichiro Honda in 1951 was named Dream - the name thereby laying emphasis on the maverick’s dream to become the world no. 1 motorcycle manufacturer. Having accomplished that and having been instrumental to a great deal in taking Hero to where they find themselves now, Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India want to “Dream” again – this time for the coveted crown of becoming India’s no. 1 two wheelers manufacturer. Is this the right move at this point in time, will this launch make their dream come true, and will this go down as yet another clincher by HMSI? Read on to find out.
THE SETTING:
If you look around, you see sky rocketing fuel prices. No wonder we see every manufacturer in the two wheeler industry shifting their focus back to the commuter segment from the premium sports segment. Honda could foresee this happening, which is why it has one of the 125 cc segment leaders in its brand-wagon – CB Shine. Having realized the fact that the commuters have resurfaced and also wanting to overtake Hero knowing that their main market share revolves around the 100-110 cc bikes, HMSI decided take on the competition head on with their recent launch – Dream Yuga. Let’s find out as to what this Dream is made up of.
LOOKS/DESIGN:
Apart from the CBR siblings that surfaced later on in their stint here in the Indian market, the game plan has been very clear from the word go – to capture the major market share that belongs to the commuters. Having dished out the Unicorn, Shine, Twister, and other models, HMSI now present the Dream Yuga. When it comes to a commuter, looks don’t matter a great deal, but the evolution of the average Indian biker and the intense competition from fellow manufacturers is pushing each one to their limit to offer best value for money. The Dream Yuga’s design is almost identical to that of the Shine with the difference being that of the stickering. One would not be able to make out as to what is what unless you take a closer look. The paint job, switch gear, foot pegs, headlamp, tail lamp, everything is simple, yet it works. The brown color is my personal favorite and has a classy executive feel to it. Overall the design is tailor made to fit the commuter segment and that is all one would demand from it.
COMFORT:
Comfort is crucial for any commuter. In the Dream Yuga, seating posture is very friendly and comfy. This compounded by the perfectly positioned handlebars make this bike a breeze to ride on congested streets. The rear view mirrors are also perfectly matched with the handlebars in that they do not restrict the free movement of the bike amidst clogged city traffic. Long rides as well would not result in any back pain or strain given the perfect seating posture. Pillion comfort is equally good, thanks to the longer seat. The long front suspension stroke of 120 mm absorbs jerks and bumps with consummate ease. This is well supported by the five-step adjustable 94 mm long setup at the rear. The tuff-up tubeless tyres have become standard now with any Honda product, which is good.
BRAKING:
I strongly believe that a commuter bike doesn’t really need disc brakes. The braking power that the bike comes with is sufficient to keep the bike under control. This bike is baschandru021y a city oriented bike and for that a 130 mm drum setup at the front and rear is more than sufficient to generate enough confidence in our minds.
PERFORMANCE/HANDLING:
The Dream Yuga comes with a power-packed 109 cc air cooled four stroke SI engine, which generates 8.5 bhp of power @ 7500 rpm and 8.91 Nm of torque @ 5500 rpm. I personally have owned the king of commuters – Hero Honda Splendor, and I was simply taken aback by the sprightly nature of this bike. The bike is so swift, so agile, and so full of energy, you just feel like thrashing it around the city streets with absolutely no effort at all. I absolutely loved its handling, the clutch feel, the seating position, the handlebar positioning, and the capability of it delivering such an effortless ride. This has almost all the characteristics of winning peoples’ hearts across the states here.
MAINTENANCE AND AFTER SALES SERVICE:
Maintenance is expected to be the bare minimum for the segment this bike finds itself in. When it comes to HMSI, vice president and operating head(sales & marketing) Yadvinder Singh Guleria said that their main aim is to graduate to the #1 spot by lowering ownership cost. By mid-2013, HMSI's Karnataka plant will become fully operational and its capacity will increase from 2.8 million units to 4 million units. On the product front, it now manufactures three scooters and eight motorcycles, including the latest Dream Yuga. The company plans to add at least 500 touch points this year to reach closer to customers. HMC subsidiary Honda R&D India Pvt Ltd(HRID) is setting up base in the Manesar plant to reduce the lead time between products and reduce cost of ownership by helping vendors develop quality products at lower price.
FUEL EFFICIENCY:
These days, fuel prices seem to escalate faster than a woman’s thought. Now the mantra has changed from fill it, shut it, forget it; to fill it, shut it, and retain it. Saving fuel is so crucial nowadays that even the premium sports segment bikes are manufactured with the intent of not burning a hole in your pocket. The Dream Yuga stays true to its commuter calling and promises a figure of 72 kmpl. However, in city conditions it might deliver a figure upwards of 60 kmpl, which is ideal.
VALUE FOR MONEY:
The Dream Yuga is priced at Rs. 50, 721 ex-showroom Hyd. The other options available in this segment are the newly launched Discover 100T, TVS Star City/Sport, and around eight products from Hero Moto Corp. While all the products are equally competitive, the engine refinement, durability, and bulletproof reliability of the Honda badging with a reasonable price tag make the Dream a good value for money proposition.
CONCLUSION:
HMSI vice-president and operating head(sales & marketing) Yadvinder Singh Guleria said, "Our goal is to be the no.1 player in the market. To be there, we have to graduate to no.2 from the current no.3 spot. There is absolutely no doubt that Honda is breathing down Bajaj’s neck and trying to overtake it at the earliest so that they can reach for the crown. This bike, Dream Yuga, has been launched to make that dream come true. We see their dream coming alive already with more than 100, 000 Dream Yugas on road. As an enthusiast, I strongly believe the competition is going to intensify, every manufacturer is going to turn on the heat, and every launch is going to be special with the giants battling it out to reach for the coveted crown by winning peoples’ hearts and capturing people’s minds. In this fight, no matter who wins, the customer doesn’t lose.
That I guess pretty much sums it up guys. Thank you for taking time out to read my review. I hope it was useful and informative. Always wear a helmet, never take your eyes off the road, set the headlight on low beam while riding within city limits, and never use a cell phone while riding. God bless and take care.
DISCLAIMER: My reviews are meant for informative purposes only and not to invoke an opinion. Each one is unique and has his own lifestyle and before making a choice, one needs to consider all the aspects in one’s life. Ultimately a bike needs to cater to one’s needs and blend into one’s lifestyle.
