Hero screwed this real good. Review on Hero Honda Passion Pro

This is a true review of my ordeal with passion pro, ran 41000 kms and aged 1.9months. To make it simple and sweet, this bike blows and I will say why.

First my riding style:

Full speed 80kmph for about 10k kms. Average speed 75kmph for about 15k kms. Currently I had with it and riding at 50kmph about for 15k kms(kms meant not continuous but alternative). Maximum kms covered a day - 215kms under 40-60kmph.  Average travelling kms/day is 40kms at 50-60kmph. Kms covered with full speed(85-90kmph) 41kms one day.

Let's rip it:

• The bike has highly poor slow speed pulling torque. You got to experience it to understand it. Pickup is so poor I don’t know in which gear to move the bike. The second knocks, the first screams. This happens all the time while riding when slowing down for a pot hole or speed bump.

• The practical mileage is only 50-55kmpl. One can achieve a 60kmpl only in a leveled road like a highway(which do not need crazy gear shifts due to problem No.1) and keeping the speed under 40-50kmph. While inside city’s its only 47-55kmpl.

• Splendor is like a rocket compared to this snail. The old series “splendor plus” with 7.4hp engine outruns this new “pro series” 7.8hp engines in both speed and pickup. On roads PPro sucks for being the last in the line of splendor, discover and rest of the 100’s including Yamaha YBR110. For being no.1 you need to trash the gears and accelerators that leads to reliability issues detailed below, other 100’s can do it with half the effort.

• The reliability is on the bad side also. First you have this constant noise from the engines. For a new oil change and overall service the bike stays good and smooth for about 500+ kms then its start to get rough and noisy. The gear shifts too becomes hard. Trust me I spent a fortune maintaining this bike. I changed air filter 4 times, sparkplug 3 times, clutch plate 2 times, clutch bell 1 time, chain sprocket set 2 times, Timing chain 1 time, change semisynth oil strictly at 1500kms, break shoes a dozen times and service cost and this and that. Still I am not satisfied with engine smoothness, the bikes ability to withstand rough usage, its poor pickup and speed and it gets me to mechanic on weekly basis for adjustments and corrections.

• Breaking is highly poor. Sudden breaks draws an “S” pattern on roads and skids. Not suitable for speed riding. In highways it wobbles against air current. Better ridden slowly to be safe.

Conclusion: This bike costs 54k on road and not worth it. Only suitable for single rider under 60kg weight. With doubles the bike will exhibit its talent on knockings all the way till you ruin your clutch plates and such things that lead to further pickup loss. Only good for mileage if ridden on highways under 45-50kmpl speed or forget it. The back shocks will soon compress itself and rubs the chain guard if the load is 100kgs or higher(i.e. constantly ridden with pillion or the riders weight itself). For rough riding like a sales men or collecting agent, it won’t be charming. Only suitable for people who have Tachophobia, people who do not give a dame. On the bright side it was seemingly not compromised on quality of parts used and paint job. It has the best comfort which is rarely seen on any 100. Good height. Great seats. Good console accuracy.

General thoughts and Recommendations: Riding at slow speeds gives good mileage and reduction of reliability issues and worn out spares otherwise do not expect that to happen. This applies to all bikes including the mythical HH Splendor. High speed riding gives a mileage as poor as 40-45kmpl so road rashers better buy a 150 and speed with the same mileage figure with greater satisfaction. Higher CC performance bikes has many cons then just high speed road obliteration. They pull loads much better and move effortlessly with excess loads in slow speeds and compromise bad roads and speed bumps smoothly. Do not fall for fake reviews claiming extraordinary mileages/ performance, follow up complains and check their validity. Avoid hero’s “pro” series engines at all costs they are Focked, at least buy the previous “Plus” series 7.4hp engine bikes. Try out other brands and remember Desi bikes tend to be less refined and cheap and Jap bikes are well refined, smooth and costly, take your pick. Please do not wage gang wars against brand bashers like Honda vs Bajaj, it is stupid and pointless.

Advice for any Hero 100cc buyers: “RUNNNNNNNNNNNNN……”