Honda Stunner 125cc Bike Review: Super Long Term Road Test Report
2010 Honda Stunner 125cc Sports Bike Review
It’s been a year since the Honda Stunner rolled into the garage. 12 months and a decent 12,000 kms on the clock summarizes the escapades of the humble 125cc wannabe sports bike from Honda. For that very reason, this report is going to be a “super long” test report, literally. Here we go.
Over the course of that one year period, the bike has been a mixed bag of sort. It gave good reasons to smile with its instant willingness to rocket past traffic in city streets and its styling still remains fresh. However, its weak top-end performance coupled with the vibrations that kick in after 70kph, the so-so mileage and extremely pathetic service support has made it quite a nightmare at times.
As many of the readers are well aware of, it’s a Honda Shine engine that’s doing the duties in the Stunner’s office. As some say, it’s more like a Clark Kent to Superman transition that has happened here. The engine belts out slightly more power and torque than it does in the Shine. Put both bikes through the paces and the Stunner will pass the test with flying colours. But inform it about a face-off with the Yamaha Gladiator and it may develop a cold feet.
The tasty bits are obviously the styling and the excellent low and mid-range performance. It looks like a 150cc bike and the fairing does make kids pull their dad’s arm saying “look dad, a Superbike”. The fixed fairing may be a bit hard on those who are not used to bikes of this kind. But give it a couple of days and the rider will get over it with ease. It did create some visibility issues while riding in the ghats at night. No big deal as such as it’s something that comes along with these bikes. The fairing isn’t a flimsy one as many would expect it to be. Its build quality is robust and that makes it capable enough to survive the abuses that the rest of the road users and the terrain throws at it.
2010 Honda CBF Stunner
The rear seat has got an ambiguous role to play in your relationship with your girlfriend. If she is the shy, conventional kind who prefers traditional wear over conventional ones, try looking elsewhere. This bike will spell doom on your perfect love story. But if she is the hottie who gets on top…ehm…of the bike before you do, then this is the bike that you always wanted. The rear seat height and rake will give her a clear view of the road ahead and she’ll be clinging on to you for dear life as the seat does give the pillion rider a feeling of being seated on a catapult. All is well for the rider.
Yes, it’s a Honda and that means it’s a bike built around a gem of an engine. The 125cc power-pack borrowed from the Shine doesn’t disappoint. Know its limits and it can go non-stop for hours, eat miles for breakfast, lunch and dinner and still stand up, dust off and say, “let’s do that again”.
To add to that, except for the front left indicator which needed to be replaced, thanks to an over-cautious lady behind the wheel of a Wagon R, there hasn’t been any major spare replacements. The cylinder head sealing developed a leak a couple of months back and was fixed soon and that’s probably the only time when the engine was touched for repairs.
Handling and brakes have been brilliant so far. At 129 kgs kerb weight, the Stunner is heavier than most 125cc bikes in the market. But on the streets it’s a simple, light, point-and-shoot machine which loves lightning quick lane changes and the steady low and mid-range grunt makes you do that more often than you actually have to. It’s quite stable when the pooch in search of its 30 seconds of fame crosses your path while you are blasting past the highway at 95kph. This particular example came with drum brakes up front and they have been doing a decent job till date. Disc brakes evidently are better in terms of stopping power. The speedo posts top speed figures of around 120kph. But taking into consideration its status as a 125cc stylish commuter than the Indian equivalent of a superbike and the speedo error that is inherent in all bikes, I assume it’s somewhere between 95kph and 105kph.
Honda CBF Stunner Bike
Now the bad news. It has returned mileage figures in the range of 45-50 kmpl which is indeed disappointing for a 125cc bike. If you get a little bit enthusiastic with that throttle, the mileage will drop like a skydiver – without a parachute, that is. Top-end isn’t encouraging at all as the bike loses steam once you crack the 70kph barrier. It will go all the way till its top speed with an orchestra in the backdrop screaming “please, don’t do this to us”. It’s complaining and that’s not good at all.
Honda seems to have sought the NVH testing expertise of someone from a cell phone company as the vibrations that come in play post 70kph will make a cell phone in vibrating mode sit up and take notes. Imagine yourself seated on top of a huge cell phone and someone keeps calling you without a break. This is it, the only difference being the wheels.
This is the part which Honda should pay attention to. The bike was taken delivery from the Tiruvalla franchise of Muthoot Honda, one of the major Honda dealers in Kerala and most of the services were handled by them. The service support has been disastrous, be it the free services or the paid ones. For some reason, the bike demonstrates all sorts of problems once the geniuses at the service station placed their hands on it. Electricals and dials stopped working the very evening the bike was brought back after the second free service. A paid service (which I thought would give them enough spirits to do a better job…how wrong!) ended up with the bike refusing to start at all after a kilometre or so. The wax polishing tasks undertaken by the service centre was wishy-washy as well. Wax leftovers were all over the panels proving the dedication of the service personnel in doing a fine job.
Honda should seriously look into the quality of the work undertaken by its dealers and service centres as I must admit, my decision to cut off Honda Dazzler from the list of potential upgrades was taken purely on the basis of the pathetic and extremely wayward service support.
Stunner Sports Bike India
Honda Stunner Review Verdict: A stylish commuter with some surprise tricks in its bag. It can make you laugh like a mad man when in familiar turf and can make you curse like one when in unfamiliar territories. Strictly for city-slickers on a budget. May have to live with high NVH levels and dull top-end grunt. Go for it if the Honda dealer in your neighbourhood has stood by you in times of trouble.
Text and Photos: Sanjoy Alexander
2010 Honda CBF Stunner 125cc Motorcycle Review: Photo Gallery
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25 Responses to “Honda Stunner 125cc Bike Review: Super Long Term Road Test Report”
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Nice one mate. While I knew the Shine was buzzy after 70, the Stunner I once tested was pretty smooth with the fifth cog kicking in. So, I’m surprised at the Stunner’s lack of refinement after 70.
Cheers,
Jay
Thanks for the comprehensive report on CBF Stunner.
I really like the colors in the First Picture above.
nice pics mate, cheers.
If only Honda had put a slightly wider tyre on the rear, this bike would’ve really lived up to its name “Stunner”(by looks).
Anyway, nice post Sanjoy. Couldn’t help smiling imagining sitting on a cell phone in vibro mode..
ohoooooo!!! CBF Stunner bike is amegine, nice looks, nice performance, stunner bike belongs to all young boy ride it & believe it………thanks honda give us this type of bike we are waiting for more new looks shresthasubesh@yahoo.com
Hi All,
I am very confused between Stunner and Pulsar 150. As per above comments can someone clarify about the vibrating problem ? I am in hurry because I m planning to buy a bike next week…………….
Hello Ashish, Ya u r true tat CBF getting vibrating at 60+ but after ur 1rst service just amazing i crossed 100+ i feel like flying just dont hesitate go a head for CBF.. one more thing Honda is best re-sale value in market .. :)
Hi Madhan,
Thanx for the info but I have already bought stunner about 15 days back and lets see……………..
sanjoy i dont believe stunner vibrates after 60 or 70 kph.actually it is sensation.good look good perfomance. :-))
i love stunner bike……….. am waitin 4 new model in stunner……… am gonna buy in comin january……….
hey frnds sumbdy of u pl suggest me.
i m planing to take stunner dis week, so is it good 4 a rider lyk me who just loves speed..
pl tel me abt problm if any in dis bike.
hey dude, nice observations. I’ve brought stunner 19 days back n the vibration thing is true but not 100prcnt in new model. Apart frm that bike has another issue, loose chain after every time u drag ur bike on road. BUT ANYWAYS THE BIKE IS AWSOME N PREETY SILENT COMPARE TO ALL OTHER BIKES IN SAME SEGMENT. IM LOVIN IT.
hi this is kanth,
I am planning to buy a byke which looks good and milage..can any one of u please suggest which is good in the market pulsar 150cc or new stunner pgm-fi engine or yamaha sz-150
go ahead n buy stunner pal. Its gr8 bike. If u compair it wid pulsar 150 n yamaha sz, its gr8 in milage, style..
Hello readers,
The Stunner is a pretty decent bike in terms of style, mileage and build quality. Even the fairing is quite robust. If you are an admirer of its looks and a loyalist of Honda’s supreme engines, then go for it. It will satisfy you completely.
But do note that it is not a performance bike and the looks shouldn’t deceive you. The common problems involve the vibration at high speeds and the chain which turns out to be quite noisy at times.
And as mentioned in the write-up it is the next best bike in other than the FZ which will bring you and your girlfriend closer. ;)
Cheers
Sanjoy
i m confused between pulsar 135ls n stunner.
which one is good on milege,performance etc.
now stunner does nt have kick so is there any problem having bike without kick…
Hello Readers,
I just completed my 2nd service successfully last month.My long drive touches above 350 4rm my native as mentioned i have not got any vibrations now(as i got when i reached 60+).The service done by our showroom mechanics are awesome.Guys who likes to take bike 4r long drive only my notify finger will show Stunner.Even i drive without stopping my boy 4r more than 4hrs at the speed of 75 no vibrations.. So go 4r Stunner and able to do modify like sports too…
Thanks,
Madhan.S
For ‘kumar chandra’
Same point of view i asked the doubt to mechanic as they mentioned ‘Maintenance Free Battery(MF-Battery)’ so no need to worry about that.1 more thing they giving 1.5yrs of battery warranty so no prob’s. Even i’m now in Bangalore ill go home every week to ride my boy if i put choke and start it will start at a moment. Only thing try to run ur boy atleast 10mins a day when u were absent near to ur bike then no problem.. i got my Black Color Boy still it stands in front of my eyes.
Hello reader’s,
I am planning to buy new bike and i am looking for CBF stunner but little concern about performance of bike. Which is best option between Honda stunner / Bajaj Discover 150 / Pulsor 135.
Rgds, Sachin
Good to see so many positive comments regarding this stunning bike. planning to get this soon.
_Dev
i am planning to buy stunner but confused aftr c ing the mahindra cevalo as it FI engine. not able to decide to for which one . the people who own d stunner suggest me to buy or not.
Hi Frnds,
Good to see such a good reviews abt stunner. I am planning to buy a bike and i have shorlisted Honda twister, stunner and pulsar 135. Kindly guide me
I recomment all to buy stunner and equip it iwth k&N fitter..so,u can observe a gr8 power with gr8 milege.
i got my 2010 model stunner before one yr… as sjy told there is a vibration problem in my bike but on high way am getting milage of 70kmpl……superb style i love it…..
Guys… I own a Stunner (New Version) crossed almost 14k Kms.it is Obviuos that the bike is Stunning for its Sexy Sharp looks and riding Quality :-D I would always ride the bike at an average speed between 60 to 70 Kmph. It gives me a solid mileage between 55 to 60 KMPL. I just wanted to share with you one thing which i noticed recently. Handle Bar Vibrates after 60 KMPH with the mirrors fixed on both sides. Please try riding the bike without side mirrors as it reduces much more vibrations,makes it feel easy and lighter 8-)