It’s the commuter bikes, the plain Janes that have really helped most players in the Indian motorcycle space secure and improve market position. Close to 70 per cent of the nine million motorcycles sold last year came from this space. Japanese manufacturer Honda also hopes to rise above its number three spot in the two-wheeler market with commuter bikes.
The Dream Yuga is the first of Honda’s famous ‘Dream’ range of bikes in India. Although mechanically related to the CB Twister, the Dream Yuga’s styling is derived from the understated CB Shine, as a result of which it wears a bland look. The Honda-typical beak-type headlamp and cowl are softened, with a smooth and simple look. Twin-pod instruments sit sheltered behind the cowl. The left pod houses a bold, easily read speedometer, with an odometer nestled in the middle, while the other houses the fuel level indicator and the basic telltale lights. There is no trip meter.
Angular rear-view mirrors on the matte black handlebar look smart. Unlike the more expensive Honda CBR150R, the Dream Yuga thankfully features a pass flash switch, while the high-beam button is push-operated.
The eight-litre fuel tank tapers gently as it swoops back toward the riding seat, with fine horizontal ridges creating light knee recesses. The filler cap is a familiar, chromed Honda unit. Stylish side panels give the Dream Yuga some muscle, their boomerang shape mimicking the CB Shine closely. The rear panels look smart, flowing from the side panels into a big tail lamp. A chunky, cast-alloy pillion grab bar is another attractive touch on the Dream Yuga.
The style factor is significantly upped by this bike’s lower half, where the front fork sliders, smart six-spoke alloy wheels, engine, exhaust system and full chain cover are all finished in black. Overall quality is up to the high standards expected on Honda bikes, and gives the Dream Yuga a built-to-last feel.
The Dream Yuga deploys the same four-stroke, single-cylinder 109cc engine that powers the CB Twister. It uses a single camshaft to operate its two valves, while a carburettor meters fuel. Apart from a twin-pocket air-cooling system, the Dream Yuga engine uses an offset crank and a viscous-type air filter for better efficiency. Honda has tweaked this powerplant in a bid to improve rideability.
The Dream Yuga engine is smooth, delivering a wide spread of power that makes riding the Honda easy. The bottom end offers a smooth, silken response, while throttle inputs in the mid-range are even more rewarding, laced with a hint of sportiness. The Honda remains smooth even high up in its rev range, although revving it up is of little use as the power then trails off very quickly.
The clutch is well-weighted and progressive. Like the Twister, the Dream Yuga also uses a four-speed gearbox, but the shift pattern has been changed to the archaic all-up pattern, with a heel-and-toe shift lever. Gearshifts are fault-free, a light tap being all that is required to switch cogs with a reassuring snick. Well-chosen ratios ally with the torquey engine to make city commuting effortless. The Dream Yuga is flexible enough to pull cleanly from speeds under 30kph in top gear.
It accelerates from a standstill to 60kph in 7.69 seconds and boasts a true 95kph top speed. Honda’s Dream Yuga delivers a true-blue commuter bike experience, using a single downtube frame with its engine bolted in as a stressed member, while the rear swingarm is a rectangular unit. The wheelbase is 1285mm — slightly longer than the Shine — and the Dream Yuga shows off a long, well-padded, wide seat that easily accommodates two hefty adults.
The handlebar is positioned low and comfortably within reach. Good ergonomics make this a comfortable bike for riders of most heights. Telescopic forks and adjustable twin hydraulic shock absorbers at the rear work together and deliver good ride quality. There’s a hint of firmness at low speed that’s evident over light ridges, but the suspension is adept at dealing with big bumps and potholes. It never bottoms out, not even with a heavy rider and pillion.
The Dream Yuga features 80/100 x 18-inch tubeless tyres at both ends on the alloy wheel variants, while the spoke-wheeled Dream Yuga comes with Tuff-Up tubes. The larger 18-inch rims improve the Dream Yuga’s ability to take on poor roads.
The Dream Yuga is light and steers easily at low speeds, without feeling nervy at higher velocities. Around corners, the high-grip MRF tyres and long wheelbase combine to impart a sense of confidence.
The Dream Yuga delivered good results, giving us 58.3kpl in the city and a highway efficiency of 61.8kpl. This is a healthy 60kpl overall, significant considering the Dream Yuga’s decent performance.
The Dream Yuga may not be the most exciting motorcycle to look at in its class, but refined performance, decent comfort and high fuel efficiency combine to create a wholesome commuter experience, quietly impressive and certain to give the competition good reason to sweat.
Honda should have offered a front disc brake, at least as an option, but despite its few niggles, what sets the Dream Yuga up for success is the bankability of the Honda brand and a sensible price tag that doesn’t charge a premium for this.
