Jun 24, 2009 02:21 AM
9696 Views
I have been driving Honda Shine in Chennai since April 2008 and I think its opt to write a review now because today I gave my bike for 6th free service (I have driven 9845 kms till date).Before I write my review please let me give you a brief of Myself with bikes and Why I chose to buy Honda Shine.
I had come back to india after a span of 9 years abroad. As soon as I came back to india I was using my dad's Activa and was completely Impressed by honda tech. for Indian road conditions.
Then after couple of months when I was planning to buy a bike I had many options in 125 CC and 150 CC as this was my selection criteria. I did not want to go for Bajaj as before I went abroad I was driving a bajaj scooter and it was a good one but quality of build was substandard (eg: Steels start to rust in a span of year and your mileage decreases after couple of years and maintenance) also my cousin had discover 135 and he was not happy with it as well.
So my options were TVS, HONDA & HH. With tvs I was not happy as to see this had heavy starting problems in rainy days with my cousins experience. With HH I did not see any thing good other than splendor in the category and was not in my criteria. So my obvious choice was honda after checking my another cousins unicorn which he maintains worse the bike was butter smooth and average maintenence cost and a near my service station.
Unicorn was little expensive and Milage was less compared to Shine. I took a short test drive of Shine and was happy with its handling etc. Shine had also picked up sales in the mean time as to say you can see more shines in chennai roads. So Zeroed in on Shine and Booked the vehicle (TN XX X XX05).
Pre & Delivery: Shree Honda Virugambakkam/ Didar Chennai Subsidary Exp: Fair
Well as you know all honda vehicles takes time and mine as well took almost 30 days to get vehicle. I was promised in 15 Days (Delay was due to my loan etc as per my Dealer) I did not worry too much because my dealer lady was kind to me and gave me couple of accessories comp. which is very rare with Honda Dealers. At the time of Delivery they hardly gave any good service we had to wait for more than half an hour and then request them to clean the bike from dust etc.. and also there was a Scratch in visor(front that covers headlamp) which they removed using some wax that they had and I was little disappointed with the service orientedness. by the way dealer said they filled petrol of half litre. which they said. but was hardly any petrol and tank was dry in first round after pooja.
As after I started to drive this bike first thing I noticed I the noise and vibration it makes after crossing 50kmph which I did not notice before in the short test ride I took. This was very disappointing and I was thinking I should have driven more before I took this bike. time flew and it was time for my first service.
First Service: Still little disappointed with noise and vibration but was good in terms of pick up handling etc. This is the time I started to learn a little bit more in detail about bike engine and handling and driving technique of this bike in particular. Milage was bad 35 kms
Second Service: I started to love this bike as the milage picked up to 45 and noise and vibration was little less and bike stared to respond to my driving.
Third Service: I am already in love with this bike, the best milage ever 54kms I felt like I am the kiing in the road. I knew in terms of pick up and over taking other vehicles. Handling etc.
Sixth Service: I went out of station for seventeen days and bike was parked in open placce and I was worried that I may have to give 100 kicks to get the bike started. To my surprise first kick booom......... bike started (of cource with choke) I am loving my bike....
Well to put it short if you are a city rider and if you are not a racer. your average speed is 50/60 kms per hour this this the best bike ever. Hardly any maintenance and very good milage.
Wish you all a happy and safe riding:)
