Looks :
You could be easily pardoned to think that this bike displaces at least 150cc. Its the styling that speaks here loud and clear. The bike's styling has very clear intentions; give a complex to the bigger siblings. These feelings are more so strengthened when you get astride it. The big fairing staring at you makes you feel like a king. The headlight integrated wih the fairing might divide opinions but the sheer styling unites them. People might find similarities in the Stunner's headlight and that of other bikes but it is nevertheless well executed. Stepped seat adds to the glamour quotient accentuated by the rear panels, yellow rear shocks and tail lights. One can go on and on talking about the looks of this bike, such is pedigree.
The only grouse is the lack of tacho on the the two pod console which, though well designed, misses out this, now standard, accessory. Also, the choke lever position is very odd.
Performance :
Step on the bike and adjusting yourself in a sporty riding position, you just get a feeling that this bike will blow you off. Twitch the starter motor and the engine comes alive in a sedate fashion without any drama albeit with a disappointment. From a bike looking this good, you'd want some noises but like Unicorn and Shine, exhaust note muffled well. Its good for an ordinary bike but then this isn't an ordinary bike, is it? Clicking into 1st through a toe shifter, you can't help but appreciate the gear shift quality. Give the throttle enough feed from here on while going click, click, click on a 1-down 4-up box, you'd expect the bike to start flying. And here is the biggest problem. It is not an out and out performance bike. Not sluggish but doesn't live upto the expectations created by the visual delight.
Ride :
Ride is comfortable as your would expect. Not like other commuter bikes but good for a bike that has sporty intent. Seats are firm and bent riding position means that you would get some pains on a long stint on the trot. The pegs have been set in a thoughtful manner so that you really feel like you are riding something special. For the pillion though, high seat can be a bit troublesome. Its sporty and well designed but not all will be equally comfortable with it. The bike boasts of tubless tyres that offer good amount of grip and lend confidence. The riding position, that may not be very comfortable, is so very perfect that you can go into the turns effortlessly. Braking power is good considering the drums and the bike never loses its composure even under hard braking which is good.
Living with it :
This point is pretty important. You see, since this bike does not have high performance spirit, it would have to spend it life on the traffic infested concrete jungle. Its here that the visually appealing dimensions turn inot a bane. The big fairing gives you no clue of the road ahead and its so big that in tight spaces, it leaves you gasping. The gear ratios are well sorted for city driving but all that material in front of you robs the bike of its nimbleness. Similarly, stepped seat, however appealing isn't all very practical, being too high.
Overall, there aren't really any issues with the bike. It runs well, has no problems, returns a good mileage, and offers decent performance and to top it off, has such an impounding presence that shadows even the 150cc bikes. This is bike on which you'll never go unnoticed, such is its aura.
Summing it up :
Having spent time with the bike, you are not about the role this bike intends to play in the real world. It has a sporty setup all round but grunt to complement it. And then in city, the engine responds well but the dimensions give you heavy sweat.Its certainly not a bad package overall, with one on the best styling but the engine and lack of basics like a tacho leaves one wanting. Then there is the price. At around Rs.58000 for drum version, it won't win awards for value.
If you looking for pose value, look no further as this bike has loads of it and you'll never run out of attention. But this comes at the cost of performance as a compromise. But then, you can't have your piece of cake and eat it too.
There are rumors of a CBF 150, which should sort out the chinks in its armour and make it a perfect bike. A case of having your cake and eating it too!! I am waiting!!!
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