Re: Hero (Honda) CD Deluxe : Ownership review - Update @ 15,000 kms It has been a fairly long journey with my little beauty - CD. And I have tried my best to maintain her with utmost care. So here is my update after completing a little more than 15,000 kms of trouble free ownership.There has been some minor irritants too..but this understated beauty has been ever reliable.
I have discontinued the routine services for my bike from the local authorised dealer (Iceberg at Goregaon) as to my astonishment they were manhandling the bike, left grubby grease marks everywhere, revved the bike to insane limits and had multiple scratches on the front fender. It was too much of an inconvenience and hampered my peace of mind.
Found a reliable if not the best mechanic around home for the routine check ups.
The bike being at the lower rung of the Hero range of motor bikes - mainly the CD Dawn caters to a lot of utilitarian based customers such as delivery boys, milk vendors and farmers, at least here in Mumbai.
It pains to me to see the neglect and abuse on their bikes - loud engine noise, poor pick up in traffic, peeled off paint, broken fenders, no headlights!, crappy stickers with cheesy captions and turn indicators hanging like ripped off ears - which is a complete put off to me on any bike.
I treat my little CD like my child. There is this emotional connect.
Well so this is a brief post on the maintenance of my CD Deluxe post the discontinuation of the routine services at the Hero outlets.
The bike is extremely pocket friendly - almost negligible.
Initially I would be put with the manufacture recommended Honda 10W30 oil. Though satisfactory, it didn't bring out the best on the bike. Soon after the engine noise would become louder and coarse. To be on the safer side I used this at every 2,000 - 3,000 km interval. But it's effect would wane after the first 500 kms. FE also dropped to 48 kpl at its worst.
I switched to Castrol 20W40 and I must say it has brought a consistency on the bike. Engine and exhaust notes are considerably quieter. On being revved to higher speeds, the bike does manage to touch a 80 - 85 kph. Is quick off the blocks at start stop traffic too.
The bike obviously feels best at 50 - 70 kph only.
The stock rear MRF Zapper tyres are extremely prone to punctures. I have been stranded in the middle of nowhere 3 - 4 times with these punctures and have been the only times when I felt extremely helpless with the bike.
At 9,000 kms I changed the stock rear to tubeless Michelin Sirac Street series and have only faced one prompt single flat due to an inch size nail lodged perpendicularly.
The stock front is still going good.
Ah! The wonders of having a covered chain.. the chain required a tightening at 8,000 kms as it made clattery noises and is due for one now again. Though the open chain system looks amazing on bikes, I feel the engine is susceptible to damage with the mud getting stuck on the chain.
All electrical parts have been working perfectly fine. No battery failure yet.
Changed the seat cover immediately on the insistence of Bhpians and apart from a neatly torn cut at the center of the seat by some miscreants, it's been serving well.
As the bike neared the 15,000 km mark, the bike started showing its age.
Unfortunately I have a semi covered parking. The monsoons took its toll and I was unable to unlock my bike. The key wouldn't budge. It would be extremely difficult to turn the key lest I would break it. The mech had to remove the front headlight and after an hours effort did it finally work.
Rear tail lamp bulb also replaced for 20 bucks only!
Turn indicator chime has gone off and for good. Don't think I will repair that.
Coming to its FE, the bike when ridden sane returns not more than a 55 - 60 kpl. It has decreased but is consistent now.
Paint quality is holding up well and there is no rust on the tank and exhaust though a little on the handles.
Serving me well, frugally and mentally. And definitely well than some bikes thrice its price which I have seen can be a little unreliable.
Boredom does creep in and I wish to upgrade in a while to a a more stylish bike yet with the peace of mind as the CD. Suggestions are appreciated.
PS :- Suggestions to keep the plastic parts more shiny? |