Jul 09, 2007 05:01 PM
3378 Views
(Updated Oct 23, 2011 11:15 AM)
HELLO FRIENDS
THIS IS MY FIRST REVIEW ON THIS SITE.
I had been using a BAJAJ CHETAK since 1997 and decided it was time to chage mainly because its mileage had fallen to 30 kmpl and despite repeated servcing by different experts it fell in love with the 30 kmpl mark and continues to do so.
Keeping my Budget of Rs. 45, 000 in mind, I started research on which bike to buy in APRIL 2007 and finally short listed 3 bikes. HERO HONDA SPLENDOR PLUS, BAJAJ DISCOVER 112 AND HONDA SHINE(KICK WITH SPOKE).
HH SP I omitted becuase it had become a very common & old fashioned bike. No hard feelings friends, I still salute its reliability.
Regarding Bajaj Discover 112, there were romours that it was being phased out. ( It is true now)
So I finally settled for HONDA SHINE. I opted for the Kick Start and Spokes model frankly because of my budget of Rs. 45000/=. I purchased the bike from JSP, Chennai and its on road price including all basic accessories was Rs. 44998/=. I purchased the bike on 01-05-2007
I have been using this bike for last 2 Months. I just love it. More so since it is my first bike.
The outstanding quality of this bike is its ENGINE. The smoothness of it is incredible. Also it is very silent. One hardly feels that the engine is running.
Also it is A ONE-KICK-START-BIKE. Atleast mine is.
Regarding Mileage, it is giving an average of 55 kmpl. If your fill from SHELL / ESSAR, it has given me 61 kmpl. But let me wait for the second service( due in 15 days)
Another positive of this bike is its superb suspension. One hardly feels any bump or pit.
Also it is a work horse. Myself with wife and two kids have a comfortable and smooth ride. I have not crossed 65 kmph but around 60 it is still smooth and does not GASP for BREATH.
Another point which I would like to add, this bike does not strut or jump even in low speeds. You can ride it at the speed of 10 kph in the third gear and till it is smooth. So it is fit for travelling in congested traffic areas where the movement is slow and you have to move-stop-move-stop very often.
On the negative, may be only on my bike, the gear changing is not that smooth. Sometimes I feel that the gear gets struck or is not lubricated properly
All in all I am happy with its performance and looks. I sincerely recommend it for Gentlmen who want a mixture of performance at good price and are not very worried about the looks
B. SHANKAR LAL
REJOINDER : AS ON 23-11-2011 MY HONDA SHINE HAS TRAVELLED 38800 KMS
I still stick by all the points that I had made in my first review.
However the following Lacunae were noticed during these last 4 years
1. Chain is getting loose quite often. On an average I have to tighten it atleast once in 6 months.
2. Mileage has dropped a bit. Now it is giving 50 KMPL in city and around 54-55 on long drives.
On the whole I am satisfied with it.
