Honda launches CBF Stunner in India

We possibly would, and surely could, have done some international car launch for our first story as it would have been a piquant material, but we waited for this. And may I just say that the wait was quite worth it. It has been a well guarded secret thus far and Honda has to be given credit for this. We were present at the launch event of a bike that promises to hot things up in its segment, so here goes…

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI) today unveiled its latest offering for the Indian biking community – the CBF Stunner. It surely is what the name suggests, a stunner. If not for the engine size, this bike could easily be mistaken for one belonging to 150+cc segment. Yes, you read it right. The CBF Stunner does not sport an engine that would ideally set an average Indian guy’s mind thinking towards performance aspect. But you’re for a surprise here! The CBF Stunner has a 124.7cc air cooled engine that is capable of giving birth to 11 manic horses.

Allow me to give you the first ride impression in just a while because this bike primarily is about looks. And god damn, it looks sizzling. Especially for a 125cc machine, it does. According to HMSI, the styling is inspired by a “Rushing Wolf” which makes it look sporty and aggressive. HMSI did extensive market study and the response from consumers has led them to offer CBF Stunner. This bike is predominantly aimed at young individuals who want loads of style married to a well-performing mechanical product. I have to confess; at first look, this Honda product brought back the pictures of Kinetic Laser (GF 170) to me.

The CBF Stunner has an integrated front body cowl which gives it a muscular look and allows her to share the space alongside Karizmas and Pulsar 220s on the modelling ramp. The split seat also contributes in making the CBF Stunner look attractive as do the neatly laid out graphics. But it is not “all show no go” situation here.

I took the bike for a spin on the test track (if an arrow-straight road can qualify as a test track!) and the first impressions were rather good. The seating position was spot on, but the comfort factor will be elaborated when we road-test the CBF Stunner comprehensively. I disliked the electric-starter button which seemed like Hero Honda Glamour came along and gifted the same to Stunner. The harsh twist-of-the-wrist treatment was translated into urgent and seamless power delivery. Gearbox is typical Honda; cogs were swapped without any hiccup. The exhaust note sounded not like noise but symphony to ears. The brakes on the bike that I was riding were fantastic, and in conjunction with the grippy 17-inch tubeless tyres (both front and rear; a first in the segment) the bike inspired confidence to push it further. I was doing a 70 odd on the speedo when my heart took on a sinister attitude and egged me to try a late-braking manoeuvre (the only exciting thing on the boringly-straight ‘track’ that happened to me). Braking and downshifting simultaneously, the CBF Stunner’s rear exhibited an ever-so-faint a slide, nothing that you cannot control. Nice… I like!

I cannot tell you, and you better not ask about the ride quality, because frankly, the road surface was far too smooth to give you any hint of what the suspension is capable of. The spec sheet of CBF Stunner speaks about telescopic hydraulic forks at the front and 3-step spring loaded hydraulic shock absorbers at the rear, which is essentially the same as that of the Honda Shine. Having ridden the Shine, and having liked the ride quality, I have high hopes from the CBF Stunner in this department. The bike felt irritatingly smooth. I know, being smooth is a good thing, but I like to feel the machinery working and a few vibrations are always welcome. But (and that’s a ‘but’ with a lot of emphasis on it), it is this vibe-free virtue of the CBF Stunner which will ‘shine’ (pun unintended) above the competition. While in the saddle, the bike felt completely devoid of any harshness or vibrations.

It is a Honda, so one would expect high levels of refinement as a default with the product, and the CBF Stunner delivers the goods by a good measure. So, here it is – a 125cc looker on two-wheels which will go well too. Await a comprehensive road-test review soon.

Ex-showroom price in Delhi is Rs 47,070 for the kick/drum version while the top end self/disc version will retail at Rs 51,655.

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