Honda Dream Yuga

Expert Review by Maxabout

After the huge success of their small bike CB Twister, Honda is ready once again with their new entry level commuter bike named Dream Yuga. Honda expects this bike to set new records of success. Recently, Honda also upgraded the engine of 2013 Dream Yuga, it now features the revolutionary HET (Honda Eco technology). This is now the most fuel efficient bike by Honda returning mileage of 74 kmpl (under test conditions).

Design and Style

Dream Yuga is virtually identical to its elder sibling, Honda Shine. Except for few changes and new graphics, it’s hard to differentiate between both bikes at first glance. Unlike CB Twister, it’s very basic in designing and can easily be identified as a commuter bike as there is nothing much sporty in its styling. The bike uses all black theme with black silencer, engine and alloy wheels. It has very basic headlight, visor, rear view mirrors and clear lens indicators. Rear mudguard has been restyled and looks a bit sharp with big, angular tail light. It has a body colored grab rail which is nice and convenient to hold. The bike looks simple and sober and pretty mature if we compare it with other bikes of its segment. Its visual resemblance with Shine should work in the favour of this bike as it will prompt people to buy a premium looking bike at a cheaper price.

Instrument Console

Instrument console of Dream Yuga is also picked from the Shine and looks very basic with twin round shaped pods. It features analogue speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge with other indicators. Honda could have worked more in this department.

Engine and Gearbox

Honda Dream Yuga shares its 109cc engine with CB Twister. This mono cylinder, 4-stroke engine produces a peak power of 8.5 bhp coming at 7500rpm with a maximum torque output of 8.91 Nm available at 5500rpm. This engine is mated with a four speed manual gearbox with all gears up -shift pattern.

Acceleration and Top Speed

Honda’s engines merely give you any chance to complain. It’s a very refined engine as we have seen before in CB Twister. This engine is specially tuned for this bike which is quite noticeable as it feels much stable and silent than Twister. It’s a light weight bike weighing around 108 kgs which improves it power to weight ratio. Gear ratios are perfectly mated with this engine. You don’t have to frequently shift the gears as it has enough amount of torque. Though at high speeds, you can sense the need of Fifth gear. When rev hard, this engine turns a bit noisy but it’s extremely refined and feels much better than most of the engines in its segment. Power delivery is quite linear as you don’t have to wait to accelerate. Its best to use in city’s traffic as it’s very responsive and the gearbox also feels very smooth. Gear transitions feel much better and convenient to use if we compare it with bikes from Bajaj. It takes around 8 seconds to reach 60km/hour from standstill with a top speed of 95km/hr. Once you go pass 85km/hour then vibrations can be felt as its high range is less powerful in comparison to its mid-range.

Mileage

This engine is very fuel efficient and Dream Yuga’s weight adds to its fuel efficiency. Honda claims that it can return you a mileage of around 74km/ltr but in day to day conditions expect anything around 55-60km/ltr and on highways it can give you a mileage of around 65km/ltr.

Comfort While Driving

Being a commuter bike, it tends to be comfortable. Foot pegs and handle bar is placed really well and gives you a very convenient position. It has a relatively higher seating position than others with a very comfortable wide seat which gives you maximum comfort. Knees perfectly roll back with your thighs sticking around its big fuel tank to boost your confidence. We wish if the plastic quality of the buttons used on its handle bar would have been better as they are hard to touch and feels cheap.

Safety Features and Storage Space

Honda Dream Yuga comes with a big leg guard which confirms yours safety and it has a pass-light button. There is no storage space in this bike except for the under seat storage space which can’t be used frequently.

Suspension and Brakes

Honda Dream Yuga uses telescopic forks at its front with five step adjustable hydraulic shock absorbers at its back. This suspension is capable enough to give you a back pain free ride, specially its front suspension. With a seating of two, heavy bumps can easily be felt as its rear shockers don’t feel up to the mark and Honda is yet to match the comfort level offered by Bajaj’s bikes thanks to their nitrox suspension. Drum brakes of 130mm are equipped on its both wheels with no option of disk brake.

Ride and Handling

The overall ride quality of this bike is very satisfactory; it’s very easy to use in city’s traffic with ability to give you stress free long rides. Its long wheelbase of 1285mm makes it one of the most stable bikes in its segment with a high ground clearance of 161mm. It responds really well at sharp corners and gives you confidence while shifting lanes at high speeds.

Tyres Size

R18 size of tyres is doing duty on this bike. To excite things in its segment it features Five-spoke 18inch alloy wheels.

Shades

Honda is offering Dream Yuga in five shades: Black, Force Silver Metallic, Maple Brown Metallic, Alpha Red Metallic and Monsoon Grey Metallic.

Variants

Dream Yuga is available in three variants: base model featuring spoke wheel, drum brakes and kick start. Second variant features alloy wheels, drum brakes and kick start. Third variant features alloy wheels and self-start.

Price of Honda Dream Yuga

Honda India has priced the bike very competitively at Rs. 45,100.00 for the base model featuring kick start, drum brakes and spoke wheels. The price is ex-showroom New Delhi.

Verdict

At this price you get a solid built bike with a very refined, responsive and fuel efficient engine. It’s also very comfortable and offers basic features. Though it lacks few qualities like styling, exclusivity and disk brake but we would still say it is worth to have one as Honda has priced it really well. It will give tough competition to others and may rise as a new star in entry level bike segment.

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