Honda CB Shine Review
Bike Tested: 2016 Honda CB Shine SP CBS; Road Test No. 627
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 68-72,000/-
Honda’s CB Shine SP is among the smartest looking 125cc commuter motorcycles out there
Back in the month of August 2015, Honda gave quite a spectacular show at the RevFest in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Besides the four new launches, they teased an image of another Honda motorcycle soon to be launched by the end of the year. It really got the excitement to a whole new level as the ‘fun’ time was just pouring in with new motorcycles being launched again and again by Honda. And here we are with the sequel of the top selling 125cc motorcycle in India, Honda’s all new CB Shine SP. It’s got fresher looks, a peppy 125cc engine and handling that can get you filtering through traffic easily.
The Honda CB Shine SP now looks much better than the current CB Shine. It has got sporty 5-spoke alloy wheels, a black exhaust with chrome plate on it, an attractive titanium like cowl on the sides and much more to spice up the life of an ordinary commuter who was just looking for something simple. The headlight has also been re-designed from the normal variant and is now sharp with a curvy visor added on. The tank also constitutes 3-D Honda badging on both sides giving it a premium feel. Moreover, it has futuristic graphics that go well with the bike. The Honda CB Shine SP comes in five different colour schemes namely white, blue, grey, black and red to satisfy the needs of every possible customer out there.
The dash on the Honda CB Shine SP is now part analogue and part digital. The speedometer is analogue with gears indicated on the attractive blue background. The digital screen displays the odometer, fuel gauge and trip meter. And then there exists a high beam, neutral gear and turn indicator bulbs neatly positioned at a corner. I really liked how Honda made two fake vents on each of the sides. After having a look at those I couldn’t imagine a decent dash without them being there. This instrument cluster obviously takes influence from the Shine’s younger sibling, the Livo.
Switchgear is not well finished and is quite dated, lacks an engine kill switch too
A lot of efforts have been made to make the CB Shine SP look new and fresh
The buttons on the handlebars though, feel a little low on quality and dated. They look unfinished with improper position of switches with white paint just splashed on them. I don’t question the working but I do question their reliability as the headlight switch felt like it was out of place when I switched it on. The right side of the handlebar only had a red starter switch, there is still no engine kill switch but expecting it from Honda seems unrealistic now. Other than this, the mirrors felt in place and vehicles at the rear were easily visible without much movement of my head.
Powering the Honda CB Shine SP is a peppy 124.73cc, air-cooled, 4-stroke engine which uses Honda Eco Technology (HET) and is capable of producing 10.5 BHP of power and 10.3 Nm of torque. Honda claims its fuel efficiency to be 65 km/l. The CB Shine SP also comes with a 5-speed transmission which makes it a bit comfortable for the rider to cruise along at higher speeds without much vibrations to interfere. The power output from the bike is optimum and feels appropriate for a 125cc motorcycle.
The single-pot engine feels sufficient for everyday commute. Reaching 50 km/hr doesn’t take much time and effort, though the engine struggles to reach from 60 km/hr to 80 km/hr. It can definitely go higher, though we had a restriction while test riding it. Overtaking may require you to downshift a gear but I would not recommend tight overtakes on the CB Shine SP as the power fades away quickly in the high rev range. The exhaust sounds nice and the throttle response is crisp for city riding. The 5-speed gearbox is a welcome move as most rivals are still stuck on 4-speeds, the clutch is light and shifting gears is slick.
The Honda CB Shine feels light and nimble for a 125cc. It is so easy to flick and filter through traffic on this bike and the same becomes a lot of fun. The motorcycle feels planted at even higher speeds and with Honda’s Combined Braking System (CBS), the SP comes to halt ahead of where you want. The front disc though may not be able to get the appropriate bite alone and gives less stopping power. The CB Shine SP comes with a 5-step adjustable rear suspension which soaks in the bumps without much hassle. Both the tyres are tubeless and have decent grip on tarmac.
With the launch of the CB Shine SP, Honda completes its target launches for calendar year 2015. Having said that, the CB Shine SP will probably get a lot of customers because of its fresh and attractive looks. With a small yet punchy engine paired with light and nimble handling, the CB Shine SP will definitely shine in the market. It comes in three different variants and although the new model is priced at the higher side, customers looking to buy the Honda Shine only, now have a better alternative from the Japanese automaker.
The existing Honda CB Shine is already the best seller in the 125cc segment. With the SP model, Honda aims to target a larger audience with its young looks and added equipment.
What’s Cool
* Fresh and premium looks
* Refined engine
* Good handling
What’s Not So Cool
* Low quality switch gear
* Takes some time to reach higher speeds
Honda CB Shine SP Specifications
* Engine: 124.73cc, air-cooled, 4-stroke, SI Engine
* Power: 10.57 BHP @ 7500 RPM
* Torque: 10.3 Nm @ 5500 RPM
* Transmission: 5-Speed
* Fuel Consumption: 65 km/l (claimed)
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Frame: Steel Diamond
* Suspension: Telescopic Forks (Front), Spring Loaded Hydraulic Type (Rear)
* Tyres: 80/100/18 (Front), 80/100/18 (Rear)
* Brakes: Disc/Drum (Front), Drum (Rear), Combined Braking System (Optional)
Honda CB Shine SP Dimensions
* Length x Width x Height: 2007 mm x 762 mm x 1085 mm
* Wheelbase: 1266 mm
* Ground Clearance: 160 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 10.5-litres
* Kerb Weight: 124 kgs (CBS variant)
