REVIEW: Should you buy Honda CB Trigger at Rs 90k?

The Honda CB Trigger offers good performance while being quite frugal and dynamically potent writes Faisal Ali Khan of MotorBeam.com.

Honda launched the CB Dazzler in 2009, which had failed to put the sales chart on fire. The Dazzler was a fantastic bike but had a few shortcomings which did not appeal to most 150cc buyers.

Honda has now corrected those shortcomings and has launched the CB Trigger, which replaces the CB Dazzler in the Indian market. The CB Trigger is placed at the upper end of the mass market 150cc segment, offered in three variants -- Standard, Rear Disc and CBS.

The CB Trigger is Honda's attempt to dethrone popular 150cc motorcycles from the top of the sales chart. The company is on a launch spree, bringing out new products every few months.

While the CB Unicorn is positioned towards older buyers, the CB Trigger is aimed squarely at the youth.

On the styling front, the CB Trigger is a smart looking motorcycle with its new headlight, beefy tank (resembles the Yamaha FZ's), fat exhaust and new tail piece.

LED tail lights debut for the very first time in a locally manufactured Honda motorcycle in India. The overall design is quite eye catchy for a 150cc motorcycle and the CB Trigger should grab attention against its rivals, some of which have started to show their age.

The real party piece of the CB Trigger is the all new digital instrument cluster which has taken cues from flagship Honda bikes. The console is a bit small in size although pictures will make you believe otherwise.

Switch gear quality continues to be disappointing and the switches don't justify the price of the vehicle. There is no engine kill switch and controls are placed quite awkwardly.

The seats of the CB Trigger are quite comfortable with good padding. The seating position is very upright and the handle bar is very commuterish.

The rear view mirrors are well positioned to offer good visibility. The foot pegs are front set and all this makes the motorcycle very comfortable for regular city riding.

Powering the Honda CB Trigger is the same age-old 150cc engine which did duty on the CB Dazzler. This single-cylinder unit produces a respectable 14 BHP of power at 8500 RPM and 12.5 Nm of torque at 6000 RPM.

Performance is quite good with 0-100 km/hr taking less than 18 seconds. Top speed is 120 km/hr.

The Honda CB Trigger has very good low end response and feels eager throughout the rev band. It's only in the upper part of the power band in higher gears does it feel out of breath.

With good low end grunt, the CB Trigger is at home in traffic and closes gaps quickly. Honda claims a mileage of 67 km/l but one can expect 50-55 km/l in real world riding conditions which is good for a 150cc bike.

The Honda CB Trigger uses a diamond frame and has a reduced wheelbase which gives it good handling. The bike feels nimble and is surefooted around corners.

You can turn-in quickly and the CB Trigger goes through with good poise. Ride quality is good and the suspension absorbs bad roads in its stride.

The company has introduced CBS on the CB Trigger, a first for a Honda motorcycle in India. This system gives the Trigger very balanced stopping power as a part of the front brake is applied automatically when the rider applies the rear brake.

The rear uses a disc on all variants except the entry level one.

The Honda CB Trigger is a very good update over the CB Dazzler. The bike gets essential kit like a full chain case and a kick start.

Honda has offered three variants, priced at Rs 79,335, Rs 82,733 and Rs 90,095 respectively (on-road, Mumbai).

The motorcycle offers quite a lot to the buyer including good quality, excellent blend of performance and mileage along with surefooted dynamics. All this makes the Honda CB Trigger a very good bike in the 150cc segment.