Honda CBF Stunner FI – Test drive and Review
Posted at June 22nd, 2009 under Auto Pictorial Review, Test drive | 
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Honda which launched the world’s smallest fuel injected engine through Hero Honda’s Glamour. Honda has once again shown its commitment to Indian customers by launching the new stunner FI. But is the market mature enough to welcome a fuel injected 125cc machine. We check out!
Honda CBF Stunner FI: There are not too many stunners on the road but even after in the streets for months, the jaw-dropping style of stunner still grabs eyeballs. Look from any angle,you would admire the stunner. The glaring headlamps and the aerodynamic visor is a visual treat. The large faux-scoops sits on the broad shoulders of the stunner’s tank. The split seats and body coloured shock absorber spring adds racy appeal to the bike. The upswept rear panel utilises two separate panels for the top and bottom to create a two tone effect. Overall, the CBR1000RR inspired stunner stands tall amongst the current breed of 125cc bikes.
Honda CBF Stunner FI: Visually it is tough to spot the diffrence between the new stunner FI and the carburreted one. CBF Stunner FI retains the same dual tone styling but Honda offfers two new shades – CBR Red and CBR Silver Metallic. Also new is the sporty half-chain case and premium 3D emblem. The faux-scoops now gets attractive decals and PGM-FI badging on the central panel. CBF stunner FI gets golden coloured engine cylinder cover and disc caliper.
Honda CBF Stunner FI: The 125cc motor is now fuel injected and is euro-III compliant. But sadly the power and torque rating are revised upward only by a small margin, the FI mill produces 11.6bhp of max power at 8000rpm and 11.2Nm of peak torque at 6250rpm. Honda claims the CBF stunner FI is capable of reaching 100kmph and the PGM-FI technology to increase the fuel efficiency to 65kmpl. On the tarmac, as expected the FI mill is smooth and the power delivery is consistent, but is discernible only if you have ridden the carburetted one. The flat spots are gone and the acceleration is uniform. We managed to push the stunner FI to 104kmph higher than the quoted figure. The five speed gearbox is precise and slick.
Honda CBF Stunner FI: The suspension, brake and other mechanicals are carried forward from the carburetted version. However for the safety of the Stunner FI rider, Honda has offered a bank angle sensor which cuts off fuel if the bike is banked on either side beyond a certain angle. The new handlebar weight is a welcome addition considering the vibration associated with this platform. The new FI engine and handlebarweight reduces the vibration to some extent but is still evident above 60kmph. The sporty tone extends to the ergonomics as well. The sporty driving position is necessited by raised foot pegs,low seat and flat handlebar. Strengthen your forearm muscles before riding the stunner, The riding position loads weight on rider’s shoulder also the high seating postion makes the pillion to bang on the rider under braking.
Honda CBF Stunner FI: Stunner rides on 17-inch tubeless tyres at the front and rear. At the rear, it uses broader 100 section tyre. The straightline stability is good but the vibrations would deters you. The stunner is nimble but you have to get used to the fork mounted handlebar. The steering is well balanced but the brakes bites hard and halts the bike a bit sudden. The instrument panel is still short of tachometer but gets a malfunction indicator. The small rear view mirrors undoubtedly needs a replacement.
Bad bits: No tacho, small rear view mirrors and hingeless fuel tank cap
Honda CBF Stunner FI: The price difference between the CBF Stunner FI and the carburetted version is on the higher side (upwards of Rs15,764). CBF stunner FI costs Rs73,573(on-road, Chennai). CBF Stunner gets the right engine though we wish an engine with more power that justifies its styling. But the price would deter even an eco-savvy enviromentalist. It is exorbitantly priced even higher than the proven unicorn (by Rs9,514). CBF Stunner FI is neither superior in fuel efficiency nor in performance to justify this premium price. However its pollution free and its our duty to save this beautiful earth. Is the market mature enough to welcome a fuel injected 125cc machine? certainly not, unless the technology is made at affordable cost.
vicky, don’t write it off completely…if Indian can buy Yamaha R15 a 150cc bike for Rs1,15,000 why not they buy a Honda machine for 75000 rupees.
a puny 125 cc, 11 bhp bike. for 75000 Rs?
are you mad?
the R15 is a mini R1, that’s why it sells and not because it has fuel injection.
This bike is a poser due to its stupid pricing.At a price of 75K,one would rather buy a RTR160FI,RTR Menace,Pulsar 200 or Avenger(Cruiser Fans only).Agreed it comes with FI,but the price is too much.A Stunner Carb with Front Disc costs 59K OTR Bangalore.A price of 67K would have made more sense.
Honda should introduce CBR125R which makes 13.5 bhp and gives 50 kmpl in city riding at 73-74K OTR price,not this poser.
The same CBF Stunner is exported to UK by HMSI and it sells at Rs.1.5 lacs (1800 sterlings) !!
Don’t compare Ist quality Honda with III rate TVS RTR Fi, which is dubbed as vibrating tool.
Karthik,Agreed that TVS RTR FI may not be most refined but the fact is that Honda hasn’t come up with a single refined engine after Activa and Unicorn.Stunner and Shine both vibrate heavily after 70 kmph.Also HMSI service is among the worst.
A Hero Honda Glamour PGM-FI costs 64K OTR Bangalore while the carb version costs 56K OTR Bangalore.Both Stunner and Glamour use PGM-FI technology.Hence a price of 75K OTR for Stunner PGM-FI is totally unjustified considering the carb version costs 59K.Also Stunner is just a normal commuter bike,not something like a CBR125R which can match the performance of 150cc bikes.
If Honda want to launch a 125cc bike with PGM-FI for 73-75K OTR,they should launch CBR125R.
i own a honda shine since 3 years.i was hoping that it would be nice if it was a fuel injected one.i would have changed to the FI version, god listened to me but the prise is too high for the FI version.there is also no change in the mileage.the design of the front cowl looks very akward.i would love to change my honda shine with a honda stunner FI if the prise is reduced a bit and the front cowl is kept simple.my honda shine already gives a mileage of 62-64kmpl in real driving conditions so what is the use if the FI version too gives the same mileage.
yes,i will buy this bike at this diwali ,many persons said that it is expensive bike.but its style is non comparable and in our town only i have this mini cbr during her higher prise.afterall its showoff time boys!!!!!!!!!
@abhijit
if u really wanna showoff then better do that with a Yamaha FZ16 which looks absolutely stunning and has the best pickup in its segment.
This bike from Honda is nothing but farce; abysmal power & torque rating with such an exorbitant price tag! Moreover when it comes to looks, this bike looks puny when parked aside Yamaha FZ16.
@ vishnu
Please dont insult your intelligence by comparing this bike with Yamaha R15; the bike is selling like hot cakes not just coz of its international style & design but also coz of the mean power & torque that it churns out despite having a 150cc engine…that’s what is called superior technology and i wouldn’t mind shelling out 1 lakh+ plus for it!
@ karan
karan plz tell me the average of the yamaha fz 16!!
definately it is not satisfying .this bike admired by me is
very good in its class .because of its honda!! (obiviously)
tll a date ,tell me hondas one bike which is poor in its performance
considering all aspect this bike is good yes even i ,disagree with its prise but its ok ,when considering all aspect.
if ur yamaha promoter then its ok.
Actually It’s So Cool To Have Such A Sporty Bike In Medium Price Round About 55-60 THhousand , I Am Going To Take Dis One On My Birthday. If, I Found The News Of Reduce Price & I Will Not Like To Compare It With Any Other Bike I Am Straight Forward On My Choice.
honda stunner good bike good price
but according to price tyres must wide because
if see whole body of bike it looks as
“morni ki taango par sher swar”
so tyre size must increase .
engine should cover like karizma zmr engine
if honda company add this two feature then i think
it is best/superb bike for me .i will buy it now
if honda company add these features
@harish
u r right tyre size should b increased bt engine gaurd should not b added bcz engine is air cooled addition of gaurd will kill the bike slowly. anyways i m going to buy this next year on mY birthday n i hope it will satisfy me….