Honda CD 110 Dream Test Ride Review

Honda CD 110 Dream Review

Bike Tested: 2014 Honda CD 110 Dream

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 50,122/-

The entry-level CD 110 is here to get more volumes for Honda in the commuter segment

Post the break-up with Hero, the Japanese automaker has brought in new product upgrades, changed its communication plan, signed in Akshay Kumar and committed itself to increase service outlets. Keeping in mind an ever-growing class of ‘mileage-oriented’ bike commuters, Honda had launched the ‘Dream’ series in the budget bike segment by launching the ‘Dream Yuga’ in January 2012. After the enormous success of the Dream Yuga, Honda then launched the Dream Neo in 2013 and has now recently introduced their entry-level motorcycle for India, christened as CD 110 Dream which is the third and probably the last bike in this series. The Dream CD 110 is priced at Rs. 5000/- less than the Dream Neo and Rs. 7000/- less than the Dream Yuga, making it Honda’s most affordable two-wheeler in the country. Clearly Honda wants to snatch the numero uno spot from its former partner and the Dream CD 110 is one such vehicle which is key to doing so. We take the Honda Dream CD 110 out for a spin to find out if it can dethrone more established commuter motorcycles in India.

Styling – Those who are looking for a stylish commuter motorcycle within a budget might like the new Honda CD 110 Dream because it packs a simple styling. On the styling front this motorcycle looks pretty basic but definitely fulfils the minimum criteria that consumers look for in this segment. The tank has a bigger scoop for better thigh support and the rear fender is sharpened and is kept simple. The front mudguard is long and along with the side panels, it is wrapped with psudo carbon fibre vinyl which adds to the premium ‘look’ of the Honda Dream CD 110 and gives it a distinctive look in its series and segment.

The headlight assembly is pretty much the same as the Dream Neo. The exhaust is sleeker and has a better looking heat-shield painted in black like in most Honda bikes. However, the red Honda badge on the engine casing and the 3D-emblem on the tank are missing whilst the engine is painted in silver and black. The rest like the rear mudguard, turn indicators, rear view mirrors and tail lights are identical to the Dream Neo. The Dream CD 110 still attracts the attention of the consumers because of its simple styling and eye catching body graphics.

Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – The bike has a very simple and clear console. There are two round pods. The one on the left is the speedometer which has 30 to 50 km/h marked as economy mode. The speedo is marked till 140 km/h though, fussy indeed. The speedometer houses an old-fashioned trip meter in it. On the right is the fuel gauge which consists of basic things like high beam, neutral and turn light. Switch gear is pretty decent with respectable quality for the motorcycle at this price point. The switchgear is there on the left side of the handle bar and there is nothing on the right as there is an absence of an electric start button. The switch gear is the same as seen on most of the Honda bikes which includes pass light, horn and high beam button. But it misses out on an engine kill button which the competition offers. However, the switch gear will not be that different to operate as for a majority, this would be their first bike.

Ergonomics – The seating position is very upright and the wide handlebar gives the Dream CD 110 a very commuter and comfortable feel. The foot pegs are placed for a comfortable ride for both the rider and the pillion. The seat on this motorcycle is long and is comfortable for both the pillion and rider. There is enough space for inner thighs to breathe and the scoops on the tank serve their purpose well with good thigh support. Overall short and long journeys are comfortable enough on the Honda Dream CD 110.

Performance – The Honda Dream CD 110 gets its heart from its siblings, the Dream Yuga and the Dream Neo with minor tweaks. The bike is powered by a 109cc, 4-stroke unit which outputs 8.25 BHP of peak power at 7500 RPM and 8.63 Nm of peak torque at 5500 RPM. This is a commuter motorcycle equipped with Honda’s latest HET technology and sounds good making it an absolute delight to rev. As it is a Honda engine we are talking about, it is smooth and refined. The motor is so refined and produces sufficient torque at low revs, that it keeps you moving effortlessly.

The CD 110 Dream’s engine is extremely refined and goes about doing its duty calmly

The engine loves the mid and top-end of the rev range and power delivery is neatly fed too. The power is transferred to the rear wheel by a smooth shifting 4-speed gearbox. The gear ratios are short and hence first gear is very short, it will hardly reach 15 km/hr, so it is better to shift on to second instantly, just like in all other 100cc commuter bikes. Second gear maxes out at 25 km/hr, third at 45 km/hr and forth gear takes it all the way to 80 km/hr. Gear pattern is all shift-down which is suitable for daily commuters. The claimed mileage is 74 km/l but in the real world, one can expect anything between 60 to 65 km/l.

Riding Dynamics – Despite the increase in every dimension (length, width, height and wheelbase), the Honda CD 110 Dream has a kerb weight of just 105 kgs. It is all thanks to its Diamond type single tube chassis. In this type of frame, the engine is mounted to the chassis directly which leads to vibrations. But there are hardly any vibrations as the engine is well refined and provides a smooth ride. The 80/100/18 sized tyres (bolted on alloy wheels) of the Dream CD 110 provide good balance in handling and ride comfort. Ride quality is excellent and despite 18-inch wheels, the front tyre steers quickly and in a balanced manner. Manoeuvring in city conditions is superb and it can go through any imaginable gap you throw it into. Braking is of average quality as the bike is equipped with drum brakes at both ends with the rear doing most of the stopping duties.

Verdict – The Honda CD 110 Dream is definitely a worthy competitor in its segment and does its job well for a commuter segment bike. Of course, it’s a Honda product and with that comes good build quality, an excellent engine, good manoeuvrability all of which makes it an excellent commuter package. For those who want a stylish entry-level commuter which comes with sufficient power on tap and also returns impressive fuel efficiency while offering good value for money, then there is no doubt that the Honda Dream CD 110 is the motorcycle for you.

The CD 110 Dream offers a good balance of performance, affordability and Honda brand image in one impressive package. If peace of mind is what you crave for, this is the cheapest way to commute but there are more value for money offerings in this segment (read Mahindra Centuro).

What’s Cool

* Engine refinement
* Ride quality
* Price

What’s Not So Cool

* Looks very basic
* Just another variant of Dream series

Honda CD 110 Specifications

* Engine: 109cc, air-cooled, 4-stroke, HET
* Power: 8.25 BHP @ 7500 RPM
* Torque: 8.63 Nm @ 5500 RPM
* Transmission: 4-speed
* Top Speed: 80 km/hr
* Fuel Consumption: 60 km/l (City), 65 km/l (highway)
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Suspension: Telescopic Fork (Front), Spring Loaded Suspension (Rear)
* Tyres: 80/100/18 Tubeless
* Brakes: Front and Rear Drum

Honda CD 110 Dimensions

* Overall length x width x height: 2009 mm x 737 mm x 1074 mm
* Wheelbase: 1258 mm
* Ground clearance: 179 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 8-litres
* Kerb Weight: 105 kgs

Rider – Swapnil Sawant