Honda Shine 100

The Honda Shine 100 is Honda’s most affordable bike in India. It is aimed at taking on the Hero Splendor’s dominance in the 100cc segment, and we find out whether it has what it takes to do so. 

In terms of design, the Honda Shine 100 looks like a scaled-down version of its bigger sibling, the Honda Shine 125 and the sticker design looks quite similar as well. The headlight cowl looks smart, while the sleek tank goes well with the edgy side panels. The Shine 100 has a black base colour with graphic stickers in five different colours including blue, green, gold, red and grey. That said, the fit and finish levels could have been better as the panels are quite flimsy.

The Honda Shine 100 is powered by a 98.98cc, single-cylinder engine that makes 7.38PS and 8.05Nm, paired to a four-speed gearbox. The engine is very refined, and is smooth even at higher speeds. There’s only a mild buzz on the footpegs and seat beyond 60kmph, which is pretty impressive. The power delivery is smooth with decent low-end grunt, and the bike can go uphill easily even with a pillion.

Being an everyday commuter, the Shine 100 handles pretty well in the city, thanks to its light 99kg kerb weight. However, the lightness makes it a bit nervous out on the highways, especially when heavy vehicles overtake it at high speeds. The suspension absorbs most of the bumps but the rear feels a little on the firmer side. That said, it does get better with a pillion on board. While the drum brakes have decent bite, the vague feedback makes it a bit challenging to judge distances while braking.

The Honda Shine 100 comes with an accessible 786mm seat height that’s narrow enough for shorter riders to place their feet flat on the ground. The riding posture is upright, relaxed and comfortable. The well-cushioned seat also provides comfort to the pillion.

The Honda Shine 100 is a simple 100cc commuter bike designed for daily use. It meets basic needs with a halogen headlight and an analogue dual-pod instrument console containing a speedometer, fuel gauge, and alert lights. It also includes practical features such as a side-stand engine cut-off and an automatic choke.

If you are looking for an affordable, lightweight everyday commuter with good mileage and the reliability of Honda, the Honda Shine 100 ticks all the right boxes.