The Dream Neo is Honda’s latest commuter bike in India. We get in the saddle.
The 105kg Dream Neo uses a single downtube tubular frame, using its engine as a stressed member. For suspension, the Neo uses telescopic front forks and a set of hydraulic rear shock absorbers, coupled with a sturdy rectangular section swingarm. The Neo seats its rider in a commuter friendly, upright and comfy riding stance and provides its rider a well thought out ergonomic triangle. Ride quality is decent, and it’s also a light and nimble handling motorcycle in city. Barring the base model Neo, other variants ride on tubeless tyres, which provided us with sufficient traction in wet and dry conditions. Honda has equipped the Dream Neo with 130mm drum brakes front and rear, with no option of a disc brake available.
The Dream Neo is available in three variants, kick start/ drum brakes/ spoke wheels for Rs 43,150, kick/ drum/ alloy for Rs 44,150 and a top-of-the-line self/ drum/ alloy variant priced at Rs 47,240 (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi).
So, priced about the same as several rivals including Hero MotoCorp’s Splendor Pro and Passion X Pro, Suzuki’s Hayate, TVS’s Star City 110 and the recently launched Mahindra Pantero and Centuro, the Neo does show promise as a well-rounded bike with Honda’s proven quality.