Honda CD 110 Dream: So Honda quietly bumped up the CD 110 Dream’s price tag last month – the third increase since January, mind you. The base variant now costs nearly 5,000 bucks more than it did last year, sitting at a hefty ₹69,763 ex-showroom. My local dealer in Pune tried spinning this as “supply chain issues” and “improved components,” but let’s be real – it’s probably just inflation being passed down to us regular folks. What’s particularly annoying is how they didn’t actually add anything new to justify the bump. Same engine, same features, same old design – just costs more now. Classic motorcycle industry move. Meanwhile, Hero’s been keeping Splendor prices relatively stable, making Honda’s value proposition increasingly questionable for us budget-conscious buyers.
Honda CD 110 Dream The Engine That Refuses to Die, Literally
My neighbor’s CD 110 just crossed 73,000 kilometers last week – that’s nearly twice around the Earth’s equator – with nothing but regular oil changes and a single clutch plate replacement. The 109.51cc single-cylinder continues to start first kick every morning, even during last winter’s unusually cold spell when temperatures dipped to 7°C. Sure, at 8.67 bhp, it’s not winning any drag races (my grandmother could probably outrun it on her morning walk), but that’s completely missing the point of this motorcycle. The four-speed gearbox shifts with a satisfying mechanical click, though finding neutral can sometimes feel like solving a Rubik’s cube while blindfolded. One genuine complaint: vibrations start creeping into the footpegs around 65-70 km/h, making longer highway stretches more numbing than a boring staff meeting.
Fuel Efficiency Claims – Marketing BS or Actually True?
After three full tanks of methodical testing (yes, I’m that kind of obsessive rider), I averaged 67.4 km/l in city conditions – surprisingly close to Honda’s claimed 74 km/l. That dropped to about 62 km/l with a pillion rider, still impressive considering Mumbai’s soul-crushing traffic. The 8-liter tank means you could theoretically go 500+ kilometers between fill-ups, though the seat becomes an instrument of torture long before that. My colleague Rajesh swears his 2020 model consistently delivers better mileage than his newer 2023 version – something about engine tolerances being better on earlier production runs. Probably just his imagination, but the forum groups are full of similar theories. One curious observation: using the self-starter seems to reduce efficiency compared to kick-starting. Probably nonsense, but I’ve started kicking out of habit anyway.
Comfort Levels: It’s Complicated
Let’s not sugarcoat it – this isn’t a motorcycle designed for touring. The long, flat seat initially feels decent but transforms into a medieval torture device after about 45 minutes. My tailbone still hasn’t forgiven me for that 120 km weekend ride to Lonavala. The upright riding position is actually quite natural, keeping wrist pressure minimal during city commutes. At 790mm, the seat height is accessible for riders of almost all sizes – my 5’4″ sister can flat-foot it comfortably. The suspension setup is predictably basic – conventional telescopic front forks and twin rear springs that Honda calls “spring-loaded hydraulic” as if that’s something special. They handle small bumps reasonably well but surrender completely to larger potholes, sending shockwaves directly to your spine. The narrow dimensions make filtering through traffic delightfully easy, though.
Feature Set: Bare Bones Would Be An Upgrade
If you’re expecting features on the CD 110 Dream, you’ve clearly wandered into the wrong segment. The instrument cluster consists of a basic analog speedometer, odometer, and essential tell-tale lights – that’s it. No fuel gauge, just a reserve warning light that illuminates with about 1.8 liters remaining, giving you roughly 100 km of panic-free riding. The headlight is laughably dim, struggling to illuminate beyond 15 meters on dark rural roads. Aftermarket LED bulbs are practically mandatory if you value seeing where you’re going after sunset. One pleasant surprise is the inclusion of a pass switch and engine kill switch – features often omitted in this segment. The ACG silent starter on newer models eliminates that harsh starter motor sound, making early morning departures less likely to annoy neighbors. The tubeless tires represent perhaps the most practical feature, making roadside puncture repairs considerably less traumatic.
Build Quality: Surprisingly Decent For The Price Point
Despite its budget positioning, the CD 110 doesn’t feel like it’ll disintegrate around you. Panel gaps remain consistent, paint quality exceeds expectations (especially the Black with Grey and Blue with Grey options), and switchgear feels like it’ll outlive civilizations. That said, certain compromises are evident – the plastic mudguards feel flimsy, the chain cover rattles over rough surfaces, and the mirror stems develop an annoying wobble after a few thousand kilo meters. Chrome quality on the exhaust shield and handlebar seems genuinely decent, showing minimal pitting even on two-year-old examples I’ve examined at service centers. The all-metal body parts should resist damage better than the plastic panels increasingly common among competitors. One puzzling issue – the headlight bulb seems to require replacement with frustrating frequency, something Honda’s supposedly “improved” but evidence suggests otherwise.
Honda CD 110 Dream Intended Audience: Definitely Not Instagram Influencers
Honda knows exactly who this motorcycle is for – practical, no-nonsense commuters who view transportation as a necessity rather than a fashion statement. Rural customers, delivery personnel, and first-time motorcycle owners appreciate its approachable nature and mechanical simplicity. The unintimidating power delivery makes it particularly suitable for new riders navigating chaotic Indian traffic. The CD nameplate carries decades of reliability reputation, especially important in areas where service centers are few and far between. That said, evolving consumer preferences suggest this purely utilitarian approach may be losing relevance. Today’s buyers, even in budget segments, increasingly expect design flair and feature content alongside fundamental virtues. The sales numbers reflect this shift – the Shine consistently outsells the CD 110, despite the premium price point, largely because it offers similar practical benefits with more contemporary styling.