Just read in HT - Mumbai Edition.
The 110 cc CB Twister is a commuter motorcycle that looks like no other Indian commuter bike to date. Honda claims that it has per- fected every aspect of its new motorcycle. Well, sales-driven companies have much to say at the time of a product launch.
But when you first set your eyes on the CB Twister, you won't believe it's a commuter bike. It's sharply styled with cues from the designed-in-Europe CB1000R.
Build Honda's new 110 cc motorcycle does without the clutter of many decals.
Much of its mass is concentrat- ed forward and close to its centre of gravity. Six `V'-shaped spokes frame the CB's attractive black alloy wheels, the same shade coating much of the bike includ- ing its front forks, handlebar, side and rear cowls, engine and stubby silencer. Honda is offering five metallic paint shades with this one.
A bright headlight nestles with- in the Twister's angular front fair- ing, which houses smartly laid out instruments in an eye-catching and legible format. The Twister gets a bold speedometer and fuel level indicator.
It has a pair of angular, func- tional mirrors and smooth-to- operate switchgear but lacks a pass-light flasher.
Soft palm grips and nicely shaped control levers add to the feel-good factor.
The Twister's eight-litre fuel tank is muscular and attractive, providing adequate thigh support, but lacks a hinged filler lid. The tank is home to a set of nice front cowls, which can sometimes interfere with a tall rider's knees.
The CB Twister's side panels and seat merge seamlessly into the rear, and Honda's stylists have come up with a design masterstroke evident in the brilliant manner in which the rear grab bar integrates into the fairing. The tail is handsome with a smartly tapered mudguard and red damper springs. A sporty touch to the CB is its exposed drive chain.
And Honda has provided its latest bike with a maintenance-free bat- tery.
Easily the best looking model in its segment, the CB Twister leads the way with excellent overall quali- ty and attention to detail.
Engine The CB Twister is powered by a four-stroke, single-cylinder engine that displaces 109 cc and produces a maximum power of 9 bhp at 8,000 rpm. Its twin valves operate via a high-lift camshaft with a twin-pock- et air jacket being part of this effi- cient air-cooling system.
A highlight to Honda's new engine is its long intake funnel leading from the carburettor to the combustion cavity. The crankshaft sits offset in the interest of good utilisation of combustion energy, and frictionminimising methods like rocker arms equipped with roller bearings are standard. The CB Twister deploys a viscous type air-filter unit for good breathing while its silencer- mounted catalytic converter laun- ders emissions.
This new Honda has a light clutch feel and a well weighted gearshift quality. Shifting is in the universal one-down, three-up pattern via a toe-only shift lever.
Ride The Twister has perfectly spaced gear ratios and a soft yet healthy exhaust note. Throttle response is instant and this light (108 kg) motor- cycle benefits a peppy, enthusiastic feel that belies its small- capacity engine. The power band is wide, vibe-free and smooth even at high revs, and the Twister chugs away in top gear (fourth) from speeds as low as 25 kph.
Ride quality is set a touch towards firm with handling taut and pre- cise at all times. Perfect for quick manoeuvring through crowded traffic, the CB Twister steers with a neutral and light feel.
Cornering manners and straightline stability are commendable as is its braking.
Performance Performance is class-leading, with the 0-60 kph dash achieved in a creditable 7.13 seconds. Top speed is adequate, a true 96 kph on a flat surface at which point the speedometer needle hovers just over the 100 kph mark.
The Twister comes with a differ- ent frame as yet seen on Honda bikes for India. As with a single downtube frame, the CB also deploys its engine as a stressed member but sends a pair of arms down from its steering column pivot to hold the engine. Suspension is tel- escopic forks up front with a pair of hydraulic shock absorbers at the rear, along with a rigid, rec- tangle section swingarm.
Honda has got the ergonomics spot on with riding posture comfortably upright and the saddle perfectly padded. The CB Twister comes with 17inch wheels at both ends, and the test bike came shod with a pair of tubeless MRF tyres that offered excellent traction.
The Twister comes with the option of a 240 mm disc brake; ours came to a halt from 60 kph in 17.33 metres. Brake feel at both the levers is progressive and reassuring.
Honda's high regard in motorcycle technology is not without reason. The CB Twister ran 57.2 km on one litre in city conditions, despite its admirable performance. It bettered this figure to 61.3 kpl on its highway run.
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