Hero Honda CBZ
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The Hero Honda CBZ/CBZ , launched in early 1999 by Hero Honda Motors India Ltd, was the first sports oriented 4-stroke bike. Sporting an original Honda 156.8 cc engine, it made good 12.8PS of power which was sufficient enough to propel it to a Speedo indicated 125 km/h. The styling was out of the exemplary. The bike looked very sporty and was aesthetically perfect. Sufficient mid-range torque ensured a 0-60 km/h (0-40 mph) in just 5 seconds.
The over-square engine, that met Euro1, was fed by a Keihin slide type carburetor with accelerator pump for better pick-up. It featured a single front disc brake, which was a first in India. It also featured the first 5-speed gearbox on a 4-stroke bike. It had excellent acceleration figures, for a relatively heavy 130 kg Kerb weight. The handling of this bike was the highlight. It was capable of doing corners at relatively high speeds without hiccups.
[edit] Features
Transient Power Fuel Control (TPFC) System: For quick acceleration, providing a sudden surge when required.
Tachometer and Tripmeter: Tachometer displays the engine rotation speed. And a first time then feature the Tripmeter measures the distance traveled in a trip.
Air Injection System: Injects fresh air into the exhaust port, to meet the emission norms.
Gear Box: Equipped with five gears and a 156 cc engine that generates 12.8 bhp power. Enough to take it from 0 - 60 km/h in just 5 seconds and touch the top speed of 113 km/h.
[edit] CBZ
- Engine: 4-stroke, single cylinder , air - cooled, SOHC
- Displacement: 156.7 cc
- Clutch Type: Manual
- Clutch Primary: -
- Clutch Secondary: Multi-plate wet
- Transmission: 5-speed 1 down 4 up
- Final Drive: Roller chain
- Ignition: Electronic
- Starting: Kick starter/ Electric
- Frame: Tubular single cradle
- Suspension: (Front )Telescopic hydraulic fork
- Suspension: (Rear ) Swing arm with hydraulic damper- 5-step adjustment
- Dimensions: (L*W*H) 2100*755*1130 mm
- Wheel Base: 1335 mm
- Ground Clearance: 160 mm
- Kerb Weight: 138 Kg/ 142 Kg
- Tyres:Front/Rear: 2.75*18-42P/100/90*18-56P
- Max. Power: 12.8 PS@8000 rpm
- Max.Speed: 113 km/h (speedo reading:125 km/h)
- Fuel Tank: 12.5 1tr (2.5 ltr reserve)
The model went unchanged more or less for 5 years and in 2004, got an electric self-start, a new sticker-job and name – CBZ *. Many enthusiasts feel that the older version of the CBZ looked much better than the newer one. (The newer version eventually led the bike to its doom). The engine helped make the bike a legend. The CBZ (pronounced as CBZee) is a status symbol.
The bike was discontinued after 2005 September, due to low demand. Competition was eating away its share. The CBZ was significantly costlier than its competitors due to the high import content which were making low-quality ingeniously designed bikes. The CBZ with disc brake and electric start was priced at Rs. 61,000 on road whereas the competition was offering indigenous bikes with electric start, disk brake, alloys, gas charged shocks etc. for a price of Rs. 53,000 on road. This huge price difference led to the loss in demand for the CBZ and ultimately the model was discontinued. Also, the fuel efficiency about 46 kmpl was slightly less than the competitors (48 kmpl) with fuel efficiency being a major concern in a developing country like India.
It gave way to promote Honda's Unicorn and Hero Honda's Achiever which share a common engine platform.
A new model of the CBZ has been launched called the CBZ Xtreme.It has a 150 cc engine and new looks. But old CBZ owners and fans are not happy with the new CBZ Xtreme (mainly with its looks-its front fairing). The bike is however worthy of the CBZ name due to its excellent pickup and performance.Infact, CBZ xtreme is the most powerful 150cc bike in the country with 14.4Ps.The bike recently bagged the coveted "Bike of the year 2007" from Overdrive India. The bike is priced at around Rs 57,500 ex showroom Delhi.
