Honda has launched its third offering in the Dream portfolio, the CD 110 Dream. It gets typical commuter styling and design cues. At first glance, one can see the subtle design cues, starting with a clear-lens halogen-equipped headlight with a pilot lamp that sits flush in a compact and stylish bikini fairing. Orange tinted clear-lens indicators are placed on either side of the fairing. The instrument cluster includes a speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge, followed by basic warning icons.
It gets good quality switchgear, palm grips, levers and stylish looking mirrors. The eight-litre fuel tank sports a smart set of body graphics and a chrome fuel-filler lid. The rider is provided with nicely grooved knee recesses. A single saddle is provided for both rider and the pillion, with a black grab rail at the back. The bike also gets a nice set of decals on the front mudguard, and side panels that give it a carbon-fibre look.
The smart-looking rear displays a set of indicators and tail-lights that are clearly inspired by its sibling, the Dream Neo.
The CD 110 Dream comes standard with six-spoke alloy wheels finished in silver, similar to the engine cylinder, while the gearbox casing and exhaust, including the heat shield are finished in black, giving the bike a well-balanced attire. Build quality and fit-finish on the bike is good. Coupled with the company’s proven HET technology, the CD 110 Dream is powered by a kick-started, four-stroke, 109cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder and carburetted engine that produces 8.25bhp at 7500rpm, while peak torque delivered is 0.88kgm at 5500rpm. A four-speed gearbox shifts power to the rear wheel via an enclosed drive chain, in an all-up shift pattern. A maintenance-free battery is offered for longer life.
Held together by a single downtube steel frame, it weighs in at 105kg, similar to the Dream Neo.
The company offers front telescopic forks, while the rear houses a set of hydraulic shock absorbers, coupled with a rectangular section swingarm.
Braking duties are taken care of by 130mm drum brakes front and rear. MRF-made tubeless tyres should make daily commuting, even in rural areas, more hassle free.
Priced aggressively at Rs 41,100 (ex-showroom, Delhi), the bike is set to fire up a price war, and comes across on paper as a thoroughly well thought out, value-for-money package from Honda for India.
The CD 110 Dream seems like a promising product without doubt, and has the potential to rapidly move to the top of its game, giving the highly competitive commuter segment some much needed zing.
