Honda Dream Yuga review, test ride

The Dream Yuga is Honda’s second small capacity commuter bike in India after the CB Twister. Can it strike a good connect with the masses?

The Dream Yuga borrow its looks another Honda bestseller, the CB Shine. Positioned as a motorcycle for the masses, the new Honda has conservative styling and its equipment includes simple, twin pod instruments, with a speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge. The Dream Yuga headlight works well at night. Comfortable palm grips and good quality switches and levers are all standard kit with this bike.

The Dream Yuga is powered by Honda’s fuel efficient, 109cc, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine shared with the CB Twister, in a slightly different state of tune here. Maximum power is 8.5bhp at 7500rpm, while peak torque delivered is 0.9kgm at 5500rpm. The Dream Yuga is a peppy enough performer for a 110cc commuter motorcycle, and the engine feels smooth and refined at all times. The four-speed gearbox shifts smoothly in an all-up shift pattern, which we’d have preferred to see in a one-down, three-up format. Clutch feel is light, and good.

The Dream Yuga comes with a very comfortable riding posture, upright, with the footpegs and handlebars located perfectly. The suspension works well to absorb road undulations, being telescopic front forks and twin hydraulic shock-absorbers at rear. Fulfilling the basic commuter bike requirements, the Dream Yuga is light handling and steers easily through narrow lanes. It also offers a long seat. In order to keep a check on costs, the package however lacks a front disc brake, although grippy tyres are standard.

The Dream Yuga is offered in five colours, red, brown, silver, black and grey, priced at Rs 44,642 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Look out for a full road test in our upcoming August 2012 issue.