Re: Honda CB Hornet 160R Owners Experiences

Bajaj is cheapest because the quality of parts is not that good, Honda and Yamaha are expensive because the build quality is the best in market.
to give you an idea, check out the quality of plastic in fairing of RS200 and then do the same for R15 or CBR. The Bajaj starts vibrating and rattling right out of the showroom and Yamaha and Honda are rattle free (I own a 2 year old 17000 kms old R15 V2).

similar thing with engine components. Honda engines last a lifetime, and are smooth and robust and niggle free all their life, whereas, I have never seen a Bajaj do 1 lakh kms without rebuilding its engine(after 30000 kms its crap).

But don't read and believe me, check it out yourself.

Re: Honda CB Hornet 160R Owners Experiences

Sorry to go off topic.

Both my honda engines (Unicorn & Activa) failed between 30 to 40 K KMs. Please not it was not because of low oil level. 3 Unicorns which my friends own failed in same KM interval.

Re: Honda CB Hornet 160R Owners Experiences

Totally wrong, i had really bad experience with honda . Earlier i owned Unicorn dec 2010, dio 2004 , both sold after 2 yrs. It was really a pain to maintain them .

After unicorn , i bought the pulsar 220 on jan 2012. Really a good bike . Now i own ns200 & totally satisfied with it .

I think ,Honda is expensive because of great profit margin .

Re: Honda CB Hornet 160R Owners Experiences

I beg to differ. Our Honda CD100 is 15 years old but still strong and demanding (ofcourse with few major maintenance). Dont need to mention the resale value of Unicorn/shine. Bajaj or other brands are decent things but dont ever compare it with Honda. Honda is a Honda. They call Honda Engines as "Perennial Engine" and they have reasons

Re: Honda CB Hornet 160R Owners Experiences

Have you seen sales figures of Honda in past years , its declining faster than Greece's Economy. Honda is Honda tag is reason people are still buying. Their engines lack quality now. Now means from 2011 onwards. Pick any unicorn and you will for sure get low compression problem in it. I have one and i know it. Monoshock is a stupid marketing gimmick that surprisingly 90% fall for not even thinking is a conventional oil shock absorber, Same engined Hero xtreme has much superior Gas twin shocks, Dont believe me ? Ride both and see which one is far better. Honda sales and after sales are the worst, mechanics dont know anything and no benefits given to customer either. Look beyond honda is honda tag

Re: Honda CB Hornet 160R Owners Experiences

That's a practical answer

Re: Honda CB Hornet 160R Owners Experiences

Ah you swamped me with technicalities Do you seriously think that Honda R&D people are less competent ?. After all we have no tooth to gauge them. I agree with weak sales and after service stuffs though.

Re: Honda CB Hornet 160R Owners Experiences

Hey guys,

Please do post some good daylight pics if Hornet!!

Is there White colour for Hornet?

Re: Honda CB Hornet 160R Owners Experiences

Here are some...

Re: Honda CB Hornet 160R Owners Experiences

Yeah there is a white colour in hornet, someone from xbhp has it.

Re: Honda CB Hornet 160R Owners Experiences

My old friend who lives in the neighborhood bought a white Hornet 160R. Only manage to see it at night but it looks good. Didn't even know he bought one until I was walking past his house and saw the X shaped tail section in his parking space. Might get a test ride and report soon.


No problem with my Hondas. Had a 2006 Dio and traded it for a 2011 CBR 250R after completing 5 years and 50,000kms and it was still running as good as new despite my size. Got a good resale value, nearly 60-65% of the cost that I paid in 2006.

There are 6-7 250R owners I know who have gone past 1 lakh kms on their 250R in the last 5 years of ownership. Spares are no way expensive than other manufacturers, not even for the CBR650F where first three services are free(excluding consumables I think). My average 6 month service bill comes up to 2k at best of which about 700-800INR is for the FS oil i buy from outside and the bike has crossed 40k kms overall. No issues yet, still as good as new.

Most ownership problems arise from people who try to skip going to Honda ASC and get all their work done by roadside mechanics. I'm sure this topic has mentioned one owner who took his Hornet outside and filled it with 20W50 instead of the recommended 10W30 and the result was for all to see.

If you buy extended warranty(5 years) and keep the bike regularly serviced every 6 months or as per your bike's service schedule you wouldn't have to worry about anything. The parts will be replaced FOC as long as you have maintained a healthy service records there.

I had voluntarily replaced 2 speedometers, an engine set(piston/block/head) replaced using my extended warranty over failure of a bulb and minor paint chips(normal in this weather condition I ride in) and the ASC didn't even have any issues replacing it for me.

Always build a good rapport with your Honda mechanic as he will help you sort your problem out personally. I befriended my ASC manager who in turn introduced me to the 2 CBR mechanics and now I'm a regular customer who gets his chain cleaned/adjusted/lubed FOC every 1000kms or so.

Having spent many days in the customer lounge, I've seen the attitude of some customers who are very stingy to pay for replacement of worn out components and then ask the mechanics to leave that failed part alone, then they come back and create a drama in the lounge because the part they did not want to be changed failed and they were stranded on the road after picking their bike/scooter post service.

Re: Honda CB Hornet 160R Owners Experiences

Yes, but most ASCs in Bangalore are so busy, they don't even bother. Absolutely crowded and they ask to change parts that aren't even worn or change parts that don't need replacement. Could you could tell me a good ASC in Bangalore? The ones I've tried are KR Puram, Old Madras Road and Old Airport Road, and they're not good. They even employ young boys who rev the engine unnecessarily. In fact problems in my bike started after the first service. There's no customer lounge too in these ASCs.

Coming to the engine oil grade, one should read the manual thoroughly. Most mechanics recommended 10w40 to me. In no way I am criticising you sir, I believe you, but then the ASCs I've tried are not good.

Anyway I tried Motul 7100 10w40, gear shifts are slightly better, but other than that it doesn't feel that different from Shell AX7. IMO it isn't worth the price. Honda 10w30 is good, but in summer it's just too thin and the engine heats up quickly. I feel AX7 or Honda Throttle are the best oils for this engine.

Re: Honda CB Hornet 160R Owners Experiences



But I see this sales figures.... and Honda seems to be doing too good....

And most of the honda two wheelers have seen only growth year on year...

It is certainly not falling like Greece economy... Or am I missing any point?

And personally speaking. ... I have dealt with two hona asc... one in kerala and other in karnataka... both of them treated me so good. .. they noted down evry concern of mine and acted with too much courtesy... and man!!! The way they dealt with the bike while servicing... even I am not that cautious with my bike.... and they also had called back to me couple of days later to know feedback about the rectified concerns which I had mentioned.

I am afraid if I had replied as though I am a honda fanboy.... I was never trying to be one.... but their service and product (hornet, in my case) were too good to complain about.

Re: Honda CB Hornet 160R Owners Experiences

Engine oils have bugged me :@
I guess in second service i will switch to honda throttle 10w30. If needed will go for motul 10w40

Re: Honda CB Hornet 160R Owners Experiences

How many kms have you done bro?