Honda CB Shine SP review, test ride

The wheelbase is now longer, and this too has improved the overall stability of the CB Shine SP. Manoeuvrability of the motorcycle is good, and it is still an easy motorcycle to live with and use for daily commutes. However, a serious drawback on the new Shine is its lack of a box-section swingarm, as Honda has been saving costs by using a tubular steel swingarm – even a full decade after every other bikemaker in India has switched to this essential equipment on their 125cc bikes. You can feel this in the shortcoming of more flex at the rear of the motorcycle when changing direction. Honda really should have equipped the CB Shine SP with the new
generation swingarm.

While the CB Shine was aimed at a slightly mature customer base, the SP targets the younger commuter. Styling on the motorcycle has been upgraded, and that is evident from the design of the wheels. The motorcycle now has five-spoke split alloys which look quite nice. It also gets tubeless 80/100 x 18-inch tyres. Brakes on the CB Shine are supplied by Nissin, equipped with Honda’s Combi-Brake System (CBS) which applies both brakes on application of only the rear brake.

The CB Shine SP is a good-quality, refined engine-equipped motorcycle, sure to make a reliable commuting companion that is long-lasting and efficient too. However, it appears that Honda has been really slow to equip its bikes with the specifications that are standard in the segment today, going by the few essential features that are missing on the new Shine.