Query Approved

First of all, I'm impressed with the way you've put your questions, your research & home work. I'll assure you to share all my experiences with bikes & help you.

All the bikes you've sorted out are good, reliable & are rated to have the best quality among all the Indian bikes. So Hero Honda Passion (HHP), Passion Pro (PP) or CD-DELUXE (CDD) are all good ones.

Your research is correct but you need to compare CDD & Passions to observe the difference instead of Passions & HHP as the difference is only 500 RPM which will not make much difference in the real time.

Pls check what does the dealer cover for "Handling Charges" (It could only be riding your bike from the showroom to RTO office back & forth) & what all do you get for "Accessories"


It should ideally, but one more advantage is that you get choices outside compared to the limited choice with the showroom. If I were you, I would buy only the vehicle & bare minimum accessories from the showroom & nothing else.

From the bikes you've selected & from your requirements, I'm sure you're a calm rider, if you've extra money, go in for the disc brakes which is good on anyday. If not you can very well settle in for drum brakes.


IMO, all 3 bikes are reliable, I'm very sure CDD has better mileage than both the Passions. Passion 60+ is definetly possible, only if its maintained good (not excellent)

CDD for sure will yield you highest mileage than any vehicles that you're comparing.

The prices are shocking , are these prices new ones? which place ? has prices gone up ? What the hell are these accessories @Rs.3K+, handling charges ?

Anyways opt for std. accessories and don't buy any additional ones, get insurance done on your own, get registration done on your own, dealers sell xtra accessories at high price.

Get quotation from another dealer, call HH toll free and get clarification on various costs.....

Coming to the bike selection b/w HHCD and HHPP, there's lot of difference,i.e styling/features and price(almost 10K), feel these bikes and choose accordingly, both sport same engine same powertrain, just features/styling vary.
Activa being gearless offers lots of convinience and comfort, if the traffic is cut-throat, better go for Activa

Yes, sadly, this is true, just verified from the HH website

He's mentioned Bangalore in his post

frankly speaking,in the real world,there's not much of a difference between the two bikes,apart from styling.And like vipin,even I'm shocked.I mean 53k is too much for a 100cc IMO...and is not justified too.If you're fine with the CD,just go for it.You can save around 7k...btw,HH is known for quality and paint shouldn't really be a bother...good luck

Seriously..what are the handling charges for? Dunno hero honda..but at Bajaj, I didnt pay any..

Go for something new and since you can afford Passion, why dont you keep Twister as an option..!

Its new, its fresh and all prospects point towards the positive...!

You can also check Shine from Honda its almost same price as Passion. Also if you chose out of Passion and CD Deluxe i would prefer CD Deluxe reasons are same engine, chasis, almost everything except for the body panels.
Dont take any accessories they are not required sariguard and mirrors come as standard fitment and nothing else is required. For Rs 3300 they will give you Grip covers and seat cover and somenick nacks.

Hey bro. the platform is the same for both the machines.. different tuning.. CD deluxe Should fit the bill. unless you are worried about style and looks.. CD deluxe is a very efficient hassle free commuter..

What ever the company claims about pick up and stuff like that.. when the rubber meets the road its the one who's riding it matters not the ride. So close your eyes and save your 7k.. CD deluxe is the best-bet for your mileage and city commuting requirements.

The CD deluxe is shaped more out of the splendor and uses the same mill,and splendor is known for its less maintenace and mileage factors. i feel you should go for the CD. just call the HH toll free number or contact other dealer to know the details of leg guard and the saree guard, as some dealers give it as a complete package and other charge for it.

Booked Passion Pro / Please suggest accessories

aargee,
vipin_s,
srini ,
antz.bin,
Devilpulsarian,
jasmeetsinghchawla,
noah2125,
shrinathrao,

Thank you Much for your valuable suggestions and opinions. I have taken each one of them in all earnesty. As you know, i am a complete novice wrt to MotorBike. Wanted one for Commuting, and i am glad that i registered in this forum. I infact, didn't expect anyone would reply, as 100CC bikes questions are considered a no brainer by many people; But thanks much for your suggestions.
I did Book a Bike. After all that you have written, I just wanted to drop at the showroom, By 9 am, book The CD-DELUXE power start, and leave for office by 9:15am.


Before that let me pen down, what i gathered about the different Bikes/brands from Mechanics, internet, commuters at Red light, friends.


From the start I was clear to purchase is 100CC as it gives the best mileage, low maintenance and is amply sufficient for city ride. and Moreover, me buying a bike was solely because of my job demands. Hence no pulsars or Unicorn, as they are 150 and above, may yield low mileage and may not be apt for a first time rider.


After market research I have gathered THEORETICALLY

- Hero Honda is known for its reliability and low maintenance
- Bajaj for its looks and new technologies and great mileage
- Yamaha for its performance
- Honda for its super refined engine and rider comfort. Remember Hero Honda and HONDA are different companies

Here are the issues with each of them in general

Hero Honda
Hero Honda is very highly priced. I mean a passion pro electric start
with no frills (100cc) costs around 53K+ on road! However Pulsar
(150cc) with all its power and gadgets cost just above 60K! I somehow
do not feel like spending 53K on 100cc passion pro, my first bike.
Because being the first time, I have to learn the bike, and it may
suffer scratches and moreover no garage so have to put out in rain/sun
, thus won’t hurt my shopper conscience. Passion pro is a good
vehicle, but 53K looks too expensive. Also if I put in 3 K more, I can
buy Honda shine. So for 3 K more, I get 125 cc, very refined engine,
tuffup tubes, disk brakes and Honda reliability than passion pro
- Splendor NXG rules out. It has self start, but Has some spark
issues and costs 50K! Then why not put 3K more and buy passion pro?


Bajaj:
Very good in terms of mileage, and features. But they call back their
products every six months. Their engine needs much work, service is
expensive, mileage dips after two years and has very poor resale
value. I really like discover 100cc dts-si for 48K on road, with all
its novel features and really one of a kind stunning features but, again, it is
a risk, as the engine is just launched and even though the reviews are
good, we cannot say for sure unless a year or two. Bajaj has a
notorious reputation for bad gear assembly and engine trouble leading
to dip in mileage as the year progresses. And they calling their
products back, and launching one variant every 6 months, shakes new
comer confidence too. One they recall their products, spares become difficult to get, thus the customer is forced to buy locally made spares, futher detoriating the bike quality.
for example, first they launched discover 125CC, then 135 cc discover, and now 100CC discover. Only their pulsar model is selling well, but that is too because of its killer looks.


Yamaha:
Not so great mileage compared to other bikes, and poor service centre networks.


Honda:
Every thing very good, but shine mileage around 55KM/ltre. Also their
service centers are scant and are over crowded with activa. Spare
parts expensive

Now lets Look at some of the Bike models

1. Discover 100CC Dts-si: Every thing attractive, But donno know how
it would be after one year of more than 35KM/day commute. Service is
costly, and not done properly. If not for the bad reputation bajaj
engines/piston/service has, I would have blindly gone for this bike.
Also no resale value

2. Splendor NXG: Cost just 3 K less than passion pro. I feel for 3K
more, passion pro offer better looks, and 5 step adjustable absorbers.
Then why not go for passion pro?

3. Passion Pro: 53K on road, which is the big negative. High price for
100CC was a let down, but most importantly for me, since I have to
learn bike riding, am not sure, if this would be the right bike to
learn on. But it is a reliable machine, has a very quick self starter,
and looks big & Young. If I am willing to shell out 53k more for
100cc, why not go for Honda shine 125 cc at 56+K?

4. Honda: Simply a great machine, every thing positive, very quite,
and butter smooth ride. But Poor Mileage. 55Km in Bangalore city.
Service over crowded with activa

Now lets Look at Hero-Honda CD-deluxe
1. Mileage: same if not better than Passion pro.
2. Reliability: Hero Honda machine, and has been around for 25 years.
3. Self start: Yes like passion pro, Honda shine, Discover, NXG
4. Engine specifications: Minor difference with passion Pro
5. Shock Absorbers: 2 step adjustable. 5 step in passion pro. None in
Splendor NXG, Nitrox (best absorbers) in discover.
6. Service: Available everywhere unlike, bajaj, Honda
7. Spare parts everywhere unlike Honda
8. Cost: approx 42+K on road (without accessories)

Disadvantages of cd-deluxe: Looks.

Actually this is a Bike in its true sense without any frills. Hence it is value Bike.CD-DELUXE is a clear winner hands down for a serious 100CC Commuter. So a couple of days back, i headed to Majestic Mobikes, bangalore for booking one. Status: out of stock and will take 15 days for delivery. Called up other HH showrooms, same situation. But liked the bike(CD-DELUXE) which came in for servicing. Simple, mature, no frills, Lowmaintainenace/ High mileage -- Customers opinion.


TEST DRIVE:

Next morning went to another HH showroom, theb only one in my area. Same situation - Out of stock. My office has bought a Discover 100 CC, so thought of checking it out at a nearby Bajaj Showroom. Please excuse me, i have no experience in driving Bikes, but even then, i was somehwat disappointed with Discover Test drive. here's why:


Discover 100 CC
-The Bike felt like a Oversized refined Moped while driving,
-Changing gears made a distinct 'Tad-taak' sound
-There was a whistling sound, and i asked the pillion rider (dealer) what was it. He replied it was the drum brake, and it is present for all new bikes
-The bike stopped thrice , when i came to stationary in Gear 2. This time, the pillion rider got down, and started slapping the front drum brake so that it makes no noise. Yet, it continued to whistle
-The controls felt cheap in feel

The bike stopping is probably because of my faulty gear shifts. so i asked him, one more ride. This time around too, there was something missing. Overall it just didn't feel like a bike. Could also be because i am used to activa, which is heavier, and extremely smooth. but discover is selling fast, and there are many on roads. It must be a good bike, and my opinion is of little significance because i am a new rider without experience.

I went straight to HH showroom again, this time more determined to Book CD-deluxe even if i have to wait 2 weeks. As i waiting for my turn with the rep, It overheard people discussing among themselves, that splendor build bikes are not ideal for people who are tall or above 75Kgs. This person standing next to me was buying a Karizma, and he told me, that I must Test drive Passion , before making a decision. well, No harm, i said okay

Passion Pro (Silver) Test Drive:
- the feel is much better than Discover.
- Engine felt a little rough, but that of a bike
- Bike is heavier, so had a feeling, that now i am riding a motor bike
- Gear shifts was better, the Engine didn't stop in between the shifts.
- Controls are sturdy , and the plastic feels of good quality.

Overall , It was better than DISCOVER, and had an 5 year warranty on the engine. This time, i somehow felt, that i should stick with HH alone, and book CD-DELUXE. But after test driving Passion pro, and people's unanimous comments about Splendor chasis/make models are not good for heavier people, i was wanting to Test drive a CD-deluxe. But there was none, so I thought, no more waiting just book a CD-DELUXE. Just then a customer bike came from service, and i asked if i could ride it. He gladly obliged.

CD-DELUXE (power start) test Drive:
- Smoother than Passion Pro, almost like an activa
- Extremely smooth gear shifts compared to discver or passion pro
- Soft acceleration, and apt for pleasant joy ride
- Quick electric start response.
- Nothing to say , but just that, I was happy, that i am going to Book this one.
- But then as i was talking sitting on, i could feel a sense of stiffness on my shoulders. I mean i could imagine for a long city drive, there could be some stiffness developing. It is true. Passion Pro felt lighter comparatively event though CD-DELUXE is actually 10 Kgs lighter than passio pro. That could be because my body felt slightly stiff on CD-deluxe.

BACK ACHE and CD-DELUXE
By the way i AM 5' 9'' Tall, weigh 86 Kgs, suffer from slight back ache. Now i just knew, that i can bear travelling in bus each day if no bike, but cannot bear cycles of backache. There may not be back ache isue with CD-deluxe at all . But just that i am suffering from one already, i didn't want to take a risk to aggravate it further with bike riding. Must say Activa, is a very good commuter vehile with people with Back ache issues.

My revaluation:
1. 5 year warranty for passon pro Vs 2 Years for CD-DELUXE
2. Wider seats for passion pro
3. Looks better and young
4. Low chances of back ache in Passion pro Vs CD-deluxe for someone who already suffers from one.
5. To be fair to passion pro, The engine was rough as it was new (dealer comments) Cd-deluxe was smoother because it was already 4 months old, and done two sevices.
6. HH reliablity for both.

Thats all, Rest CD-deluxe is as good if Not better than Passion Pro. Almost same engine specs, material etc.

CD-deluxe is bike for a serious City Commuter who wants to travel smoothly from one point anoher. It has all the features for convenience including a quick electric start.

If you anyone is looking for a 100CC HH , reliable bike, and decent Value for money, Please don'T look further, Go for CD-DELUXE, as also recommended by friends here. It is Good.

But if anyone weight above 80Kgs and is tall, please Do Test Drive CD-DELUXE before Finalising the purchase. The ONLY REASON i went for passion pro, was because of my recurring Back ache probelm, and the risk that it may get severe with CD-DELUXE. Rest else, CD-DELUXE is very Good. In theory and paper, CD-deluxe is very good. Just in actual conditions, make sure to test drive and check for Back ache. That is the only thing to check, rest its good.

Hence,


Passion Pro costs as on 27 january 2010, Bangalore (On road without accessories)= Rs. 53,780/-

Accessories cost approx Rs.2310 ( Includes a free helmet) .

However I don't know if i should spend this or Buy these accessories from outside to save some bucks. Here is the list and price:

Seat Cover – 175
Tank Cover – 175
Engine Guard – 150
Ladies Handle – 50
Handle Grip – 50
Brake Rubber - 20
Nulon Oil – 100
Helmet Lock – 165
Buzzer - 50
Body Cover – 250
Wheel Lock – 575
Leg Guard Rubber – 55
Saree Guard – 335
Crash Guard – 315
Foot step Pillion - 100
Teflon coating – 350

+ one ISI mark Helmet

Total - Rs. 3065

The above list iS for CD-DELUXE. But some fitmets come as standard in passion pro like crash gaurd, engine gaurd etc. However if you could Please assess the costs, of the accessories overall, and tell me if these are over priced, and if i could get a substantial savings if i purchase the accessories from out side shop or is their rate Rs, 2310 reasonable? (Includes a free helmet, and above acessroies which are not part of passion pro standard fitment)

Shall await your suggestions on accessories. Please suggest, if there is any other acsessory to be included.

But Really thank You very much for Replying to my earlier query. I will post some pics of the new bike for you as soon as i get it. Thank you

aargee,
vipin_s,
srini ,
antz.bin,
Devilpulsarian,
jasmeetsinghchawla,
noah2125,
shrinathrao

----------------------------------------------------
TVS - mechanics here strangely advice against TVS. they say Bajaj is better. and only TVS apache is worth buying. that is why didn't consider TVS. However, now i tend to disagree with these mechanics, because like Discover 100CC, TVS star city are found plenty on road these days

Honda Twister - Frankly, its looks didn't appeal to me and family. It is Very young Bike, with sporty look. I think is very apt for Collge student and its side profile tilts to looks like a rally bike with the pillion seat sloped too much.

Activa- ALready own one. This is really a good vehicle. Need regular maintenance, but for that, it renders sail-smooth ride, large seats, and if anyone rides it for long and is used to it, will not like a ride on the bike. Because it is smooth and very comfortable. My only issue with it was, since it is gearless, it yields 45KM/litre mileage, even the new ones, and a long waiting period of 40 days. If Someone is deciding between a Bike & Honda Activa and Ifmileage is not an isue. Please Go hands down for Activa, you won't ever regret it.

Congrats on your great choice.. very nice and logical explanations there. Just what is your profession?! I am joking!

Just to clarify one point, Bajaj spares and services are not expensive and is the same if not less than others. Rest of the Bajaj points are debatable though.

Congratulations CityRodeo on your new purchase & once again I'm impressed with your penned down thoughts which I'm sure will be very helpful in this community. I appreciate the way in which you've let us know the bike you preffered & the reason.

IMO, seat covers, ladies handle (incase you want to take your wife who wears saree during the rides), saree guard, crash guard are very useful & you can go for it.

The "is nice" or next important factors to the above are buzzer, wheel lock (helps to delay the vehicle theft) & engine guard.

The total craps are tank cover, handle grip, brake rubber, helmet lock, body cover, foot step pillion

The ones that I've left out is the ones I do not know why they're being offered.

Regarding Helmet, I'd suggest to invest (yes its an investment to protect you & your family) in a good brand & follow the thread on helmets for this.

glad you chose a bike which "you" felt comfortable with.Congrats btw.Good choice...btw,others,just a thought.Is it not the same spendours frame that the passion has?