The 100cc commuter motorcycle segment is one of the largest and most lucrative in our market and in a bid to get a slice of the pie, Honda has just launched the Shine 100 at Rs 64,900 (introductory, ex-showroom, Mumbai). In this space, it goes up against some established models from Hero MotoCorp and Bajaj Auto, so it has its work cut out. Read on to see how the new Honda Shine 100 compares with the Hero Splendor+, Hero HF Deluxe and Bajaj Platina 100 in terms of specifications and price.
Honda Shine 100 vs rivals: powertrain
| Powertrain | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shine 100 | Splendor+ | HF Deluxe | Platina 100 | |
| Engine | 99.7cc, Air-cooled, Single-cylinder | 97.2cc, Air-cooled, Single-cylinder | 97.2cc, Air-cooled, Single-cylinder | 102cc, Air-cooled, Single-cylinder |
| Power | 7.6hp | 8.02hp at 8000rpm | 8.02hp at 8000rpm | 7.9hp at 7500rpm |
| Torque | 8.05Nm at 6000rpm | 8.05Nm at 6000rpm | 8.05Nm at 6000rpm | 8.3Nm at 5500rpm |
| Gearbox | 4-speed | 4-speed | 4-speed | 4-speed |
Powering the Shine is an all-new, 99.7cc engine that puts out 7.6hp and 8.05Nm. This engine is OBD-II and E20 fuel-compliant. Uniquely, it features a fuel pump on the outside of the fuel tank to make repair work easy as well as an auto-choke function, which ensures the bike starts irrespective of the ambient temperature. While Honda hasn’t specified a fuel efficiency figure yet, it says the Shine 100 has “best-in-class mileage”.
In comparison, the Hero Splendor+ and HF Deluxe make use of the same 97.2cc engine with identical output figures. However, despite being down on displacement, the Hero’s put out slightly more power and the same torque as the Honda.
The Platina, meanwhile, has the largest displacement engine at 102cc. As such, it puts out the most amount of torque here, while power is marginally down on the Heros. All motorcycles in this comparison feature a 4-speed gearbox.
Honda Shine 100 vs rivals: dimensions and underpinnings
| Dimensions and underpinnings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shine 100 | Splendor+ | HF Deluxe | Platina 100 | |
| Wheelbase | 1245mm | 1236mm | 1235mm | 1255mm |
| Seat height | 786mm | 785mm | 805mm | 807mm |
| Ground clearance | 168mm | 165mm | 165mm | 200mm |
| Fuel capacity | 9 litres | 9.8 litres | 9.6 litres | 11 litres |
| Kerb weight | 99kg | 112kg | 110kg (Kick) 112kg (Self) | 117kg |
| Suspension (F/R) | Telescopic fork/ Twin shocks | Telescopic fork/ Twin shocks | Telescopic fork/ Twin shocks | Telescopic fork/ Twin shocks |
| Brakes (F/R) | Drum/ Drum | 130mm Drum/ 130mm Drum | 130mm Drum/ 130mm Drum | 130mm Drum/ 110mm Drum |
| Tyres (F/R) | 2.75-17/ 3.00-17 | 80/100-18/ 80/100-18 | 2.75-18/ 2.75-18 | 2.75-17/ 3.00-17 |
The Shine 100 is one of the smaller bikes in this company, seeing as it has the second most approachable seat height, the second-least ground clearance, the least amount of fuel capacity and it is the lightest of the lot by a fair margin.
The Platina is clearly the largest here, with the longest wheelbase, the highest perch, the most ground clearance, the largest fuel tank and the highest kerb weight. Both the Hero motorcycles, meanwhile, fall in the middle of the pack in terms of dimensions.
As for suspension, all feature a telescopic fork up front with twin shock absorbers at the rear, but there is some distinction. Unlike the Honda and the Bajaj, the Heros get a 5-step preload adjustment at the rear.
Braking duties on all are handled by drum units at both ends. The Splendor+ and HF Deluxe get 130mm units front and rear, while the Platina gets a 130mm front and a 110mm rear. Meanwhile, Honda is yet to confirm the drum brakes sizes for the Shine 100, so we’ll update this article as and when we get the data.
Coming to tyres, the Shine and the Platina have the exact same sizes. The Splendor+ and HF Deluxe both ride on larger 18-inch wheels, but the difference is that the former gets tubeless tyres (the only one here to do so), while the latter gets tubed tyres.
Honda Shine 100 vs rivals: features
As for features, all of them come equipped with a halogen headlight, a side-stand engine cutoff, a combined braking system, a self-starter and alloy wheels.
In terms of unique features, the Heros get the company’s i3s auto start/stop tech, while the Bajaj comes with an LED DRL. The Shine 100, meanwhile, at this current introductory price, is the cheapest motorcycle in India to offer a self-starter.
Honda Shine 100 vs rivals: price
| Price | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shine 100 | Splendor+ | HF Deluxe | Platina 100 | |
| Ex-showroom, Mumbai | Rs 64,900 | Rs 74,420-74,710 | Rs 61,232-68,382 | Rs 67,475 |
At Rs 64,900, the Honda Shine 100 sits right around the middle of the pack in the 100cc space. Though it’s worth keeping in mind that these prices are introductory and will be hiked in due course.
The HF Deluxe is the most affordable here at Rs 61,232, though the base variant only comes with a kick starter. The Splendor+ sits at the top in this comparison, and by a sizeable margin, but then it does have the advantage of being the only one with tubeless tyres. The Platina, on the other hand, is positioned in the middle of this quartet.
The Shine 100 is a crucial product for Honda as it aims to break into the 100cc segment which accounts for nearly one-third of the total two-wheeler sales in the country. But given the strong brand image of not just Honda but also the Shine, the new Shine 100 may just be up for the task. Only time will tell.
Do you think the Honda Shine 100 has what it takes to upset the established order in the 100cc segment? Let us know in the comments.
Also See:
Honda Shine 100 walkaround video