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More than a golden oldie remix!
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The Hero Honda CBZ X-treme gets as aggressive as its name suggests. Does it manage to get ahead of its fierce competition?
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REFINED BEAST The CBZ's a punchy contender for the 150cc crown, thanks to its Unicorn-based powerplant. With revised styling, it looks good too, though the front fairing's a bit suspect...
It was the first bike that sold on power and not the economy image. Well styled and equipped, with a powerful engine (at the time of its launch), the CBZ was a revolution. But times changed and while it had a decent run for a couple of years, the advent of the Bajaj Pulsar ensured that Hero Honda's 150cc bike took a beating in the sales charts.
The past couple of months have been somewhat tumultuous for the top two giants of the Indian two-wheeler industry. Hero Honda, although continuing its long-held dominance of total two-wheeler sales, is surely feeling the heat from the challenger to its throne, Bajaj Auto. Hero Honda desperately needs a winner in this class of machine. And that's where the new CBZ X-treme rolls in.
What's new, what's improved?
The CBZ X-treme gets a pair of five-spoke alloy rims in matt black. Its bi-coloured front mudguard enjoys a new and shapely design, though the oddly placed pilot lamp, over the headlight might not have been as good an idea.
In addition, asymmetrical analogue dials sit within brushed finish alloy, where they display speed and engine rpm. There's a touch of retro in these instruments that include fuel level, in addition to all regular warning lamps. Switches, levers and grips are the standard Hero Honda fare, as is a set of body-coloured mirrors. The X-treme's eye-catching fuel tank shows a hint of the Ambition's design and comes with a flushed alloy filler lid. This bike has got really functional knee recesses that will accommodate even the tallest rider with ease. Terrific-looking side panels adorn the latest Hero Honda's flanks, exhibiting a classy clue of chrome. This bike's tail and rear fairing have been skilfully re-designed, and surely, the rear three-quarters offers the best view of the machine. A smart touch incorporated here is a 'floating' two-piece grab rail. Indicators at the front and rear of the X-treme are integrated, while tail and brake warnings are signalled via LED lighting.
Borrowed inspiration
The new CBZ uses the same engine first seen on the Unicorn, albeit now in higher state of tune. Engine capacity is 149.2cc, with the power output a class-leading 14.2 bhp at 8,000 rpm.
Torque output is still 1.3 kgm at 6,500 rpm. The X-treme utilises friction-slaying needle bearings for the rocker arms, an offset crankshaft and a two-way air jacket to assist its head keep cool through India's torrid summer conditions. Both block and head are cast from aluminium alloy, while the twin-valve engine breathes through a CV-type carburettor.
Riding the X-treme reveals a vibe-free engine, and once you open the throttle to the bike's meaty mid-range, the X-treme revs strongly past each index on the tacho and jumps towards the red zone marked beyond 9,000 rpm. Throttle response is light and crisp, with our brief stint telling us the bike feels among, if not the fastest-accelerating 150 cc bikes in the country.
Hero Honda claims a top speed of 110kph, which felt effortlessly possible and is right up with the other class-equivalent bikes around today. The new CBZ feels thoroughly refined, with superb, balanced clutch-feel, an ultra-slick one-down-and-four-up gearshift.
Curvy tarmac presented reassuring handling, with splendid feedback coming up from the chassis. Although we didn't get to ride the bike on rough surfaces, ride quality feels firm and just right for the enthusiastic rider - stable straight-line handling also helps.
A 240mm disc is standard kit on the front of this new CBZ, while the rear still makes do with a130mm drum. The new CBZ is an extremely critical bike for Hero Honda. Priced at between Rs 54,500 and 56,500, the bike has been squarely planted across the Pulsar, which has owned buyer attention over the last few years.
Will the CBZ X-treme win the battle? Time will tell, but the good news is that Hero Honda isn't resting on past glory anymore.
RISHAD COOPER
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