Ownership Review: Honda CB Hornet 160R, First Impressions
Honda has finally arrived with Hornet in Sporty+Commuter segment to fight with FZ and Gixxer. Honda is already proved itself a giant in two wheeler market, with three product Unicorn, Shine and Active series.
I have driven several bikes Heo 'Honda' Hunk, Apache RTR 160/180, Hero Galmour and Bajaj Pulsur 220. I am not technical about engine, transmission and other tech stuffs about bike.
This review is totally from a view of a city commuter and occasional rider. Let see if new Honda CB Hornet 160R suites you.
Engine: 163cc @5.6bhp at 8500rpm and a max torque of 14.76Nm - Enough for any commuter with easy and occasional fast riding. You can easily touch 100 speed mark without shaking like tuning fork😉.
Engine is super smooth like butter. At speed of 40-70, I don't feel any vibration.
Mileage: Thanks to HET (Honda Eco Technology), compilant to Bharat Stage IV emission compliant. Honda is saying it can give 60Kmpl. But I think a 50 mark would be enough in city from a >150cc bike.
Breaks: Hornet comes in two variant
- CB - Combi break version with dual disc break ( 276mm + 230mm)
- Standard - Only front disc break
I have CB version with big disk breaks and breaks works as usual right on the spot. No issue with it.
(Helmet was was ordered but not arrived before, we took this picture.)
Handling and comfort: In other thread I said that Hunk is one of the most stable bike I have used. Hornet is able to live with the expectation. I am not feeling any less discomfort than Hunk. With wide sitting, high sitting posture and fat tyre, I like the ride.
This is quite a cross between height of Hunk, fat tyre (140mm) like FZ and Gixxer.
Sitting position is not perfect like Hunk but enough comfortable. It just the matter of getting used to. Pillion seat is wide with is not available in such design of bike like in Gixxer.
Styling: In single line, You know you are riding a handsome bike when other biker look back and admire your bike.
With Aggressive tank and headlamp, Awesome tail light and beautiful designed wheels, makes Hornet, one of the best looking bike in segment.
Price: CB version INR. 84,000-86,000 , INR. ~96,000 on road price. A little overpriced.
For Standard version INR. 91, 000/- on road.
Positive:
- Super smooth engine
- Great handling and pillion seat
- Fat tyre with great mileage
- Styling , better than FZ but some like Gixxer more than Hornet
Turn offs:
- Not very fast in starting. It is not going to launch like RTR 180.
- Engine kill switch and Kick only works on Neutral position
- Not agile as RTR series and Gixxer (As reviewers and owner suggested)
- Some people on xBHP complaining about cold start issue. But I didn't faced yet.
Why I went for CB Hornet 160R. : When I first saw red color Hornet in showroom. I really liked it but the color was making it very big bike. Not for my taste. I was using Hunk and really liked it for comfort and awesome riding. I was looking for Hunk 2016, which got delayed till this March. I took test drive of FZ 2.0 (Not liked because I was feeling like sitting in pit (Sorry FZ users)), Unicorn 160 (Just, not upto the taste.) and Hero Xtreme Sports (Sitting is discomfort and keyhole is really at odd position.)
Then my uncle suggested that he saw this blue color and it looks good and compact too. When I took Hornet test drive. I really liked the drive.
Rest is believing on friends and review suggestion about durable Honda Engine quality.
First impression of bike really great. Rest I can say only after using a year.
Let me know if you have any question. I will try to help.
PS: My bikes color is Pearl Siren Blue 😲, Yeah it looks more like black. But to be honest if you not a show off person. You will like this blue-black color than other colors.
