Hero Honda Passion (Plus/Pro)

Accoring to me, the Hero Honda Passion (Plus/Pro) occupies a unique position in the minds of the 2 wheeler buying consumer of India. For them, the Passion probably qualifies as the most stylish among the 100 cc motorcycles.

Therefore when Honda's new (110 cc) CB Twister arrived and threatened to take away the crown as the most stylish 100 (+) cc motorcycle, a refreshed Passion Pro from Hero Honda was naturally expected to defend its position.

So there we have it, the 2010 refreshed version of the Passion Pro. The details of the Passion Pro has been very recently updated on Hero Honda's site.

I have also managed to see a couple of them plying on our roads.

Please don't think that something is wrong with me when I say that the 2010 Passion Pro is actually a good looking bike. According to me, when viewed from the rear, the Hero Honda Passion Pro is kind of rotund (in a good way) and "well fed" wheares the CB Twister appears Edgy and lean.

I know that its just plastic clothing and some new stickers, but our 100 cc buying crowd can't seem to get enough of it. Moreover the 97.2 cc engine is a proven one and has the reputation of being extremely reliable. So there is actually nothing wrong with the package.

So what's new..??

Hero Honda is calling the engine "New age high performance APDV Engine"..!!

• A sharply styled rear tail section with 2 lamps (A single one remains on when the lights are sitched on, both light up on application of brakes)
• A digital display for odometer, tripmeter and fuel quantity reading (speedometer is still analouge)
• New graphics, red color rear suspension springs and body colored rear grab rail

The Engine:

The tech specs suggest that the engine has remained virtually the same as the older Passion Pro variant. Oh, by the way Hero Honda is calling the engine "New age high performance APDV Engine"..!!

So far I haven't been able to unearth what this "APDV" means (couldn't find it on its website). Can anyone help me..??

Pricing: The pricing for the new 2010 Passion Pro hasn't been still updated on its site. But the Delhi On-Road price seems to be around Rs. 48,320 (as reported on xBhp.Com)

Also even though the website shows the availabilty of a disc brake as an option, I am not quite sure if it's available in the showroom. Could anyboy throw some light over here..??

So, 2010 Passion Pro Vs. the CB Twister? Let the buyer decide for himself.






Photos: xBhp.Com & Hero Honda website



2010 Hero Honda Passion Pro: Tech Specs

Engine

Engine Type Air Cooled, 4 Stroke Single Cylinder OHC Displacement 97.20 CC Maximum Power 5.74 KW (7.8 PS) @ 7500 rpm Maxiumum Torque 8.04 NM (0.82 Kgm-m) @ 4500 rpm Bore And Stroke 50.0 x 49.5 StartType Electric Start / Kick Start

Dimension

Height 1075 mm Width 725 mm Length 1980 mm Kerb Weight 116 Kg (Kick) / 119 kg (Self) Wheelbase 1235 mm Ground Clearence 155 mm Turning Circle Radius 1.9 mtrs

Tyres & Wheels

Tyres Front 2.75 x 18” - 42 P / 4 PR Tyres Rear 3.00 x 18” - 48 P / 6 PR

Brakes

Brakes Front Internal Expanding Shoe Type (130 mm) – 240 mm dia Disc Brakes Rear Internal Expanding Shoe Type (130 mm)

Others

Ignition DC, Digital CDI Transmission 4 Speed Constant Mesh Clutch Wet Multi Plate Type Chassis Type Tubular Double Cradle Type Head Lamp Trapezoidal Multi Reflector 35 / 35 W Halogen Bulb Tail Lamp MFR - 5 / 12 W Battery 12 V, 3.0 AH Headlamp 12v-35W / 35W Halogen Bulb