Honda CB Twister First Ride / Road Test Review

Overall, I have mixed reactions about this bike. I love its slick character and its fresh approach towards the 100cc segment. I love the way its dynamics stay true to the Honda character. The Twister feels so harmless that it’s one bike that sport-riding master, Keith Code, might as well choose if he decides to train adolescent kids on an Indian bike. Its 100cc engine won’t have a problem getting an instant nod from a teenager’s parents either. But where the Twister lacks are its little shortcomings which can partly be blamed on Indian OEM’s quality issues and partly on engineering restrictions that come into play while packaging too many things into one product.

Panel gaps already! I doubt how long they are going to last on our Indian roads.

The quality issues are apparent with the gaps in the switch-gear, pathetic finish on some plastic parts like the mirrors, grab rail etc. The superb paint quality is marred by the thin plastic panels which are sure to fall apart in due time. Lightweight plastics work best on race bikes, not on Indian roads. The engineering restrictions are evident with the stiff rear suspension, which in the bid for better handling loses out on ride comfort. The forks on the other hand have such a soft damping on them that the registration plate keeps scraping the paint off the front fender every time you brake hard or go through a pothole. The short gearing gives the Twister some exciting low end torque but the mysterious absence of a centre groove on the rear tyre makes sure that the twist coming in from gearbox isn’t entirely put down on the road – leading to unnerving wheelspins when you least expect it.

These knick-knacks make the otherwise pleasant experience, irritating at times. Nevertheless, the Twister will sell in humungous numbers, no doubt. It will probably even spawn a 100cc Pulsar in due time. But the shortcomings I listed will prevent me from putting down the fat amount that Honda expects from me. For now at least.

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1. TVS Jive first ride review and road test
2. Mahindra Duro – First Ride review and road test
3. Aviator 110 first ride review / road test
4. Mahindra duro first ride review / road test
5. No clutch, no kach kach! TVS Jive first ride review / road test