POLISHED TO A SHINE

Honda's entry-level blockbuster gets an opulent makeover in the form of the Shine 100 DX. Priced cheaper than most highend smartphones, can the DX provide the edge Honda needs to stand out in this highly competitive segment?

- Abhisu Poddar

WHEN HONDA FIRST entered the 100-cc commuter segment with the launch of the Shine 100 in March 2023, we were impressed by the ruggedness and the go-anywhere ability of this workhorse for the masses. The bike has remained largely unchanged since, the latest addition being the new “DX” variant. Positioned six and a half thousand rupees above the Shine 100 (Rs 69,700 v Rs 63,200, ex-showroom, respectively), the DX promises a more upmarket experience for prospective customers looking for a little more modernity, range, and pizzazz on their daily commute.

So, what do you get for shelling out another six and a half grand? The salient attributes of the DX include a wider, 10-litre fuel tank, adorned with new graphics and four new paint schemes; a new LCD cluster in place of analogue gauges; five-step adjustable rear suspension; and chrome garnishing on the visor, muffler, handlebar, and kick-arm and gear-selector arm. Pretty neat.

The shape of the new tank is wider and it can accommodate a litre of fuel more than the Shine 100's nine-litre tank, equating to an increase in total range of 60-70 kilometres. The broader tank also makes it easier to hug it with your knees now, thus enabling a more comfortable and enduring riding posture, and the fuel cap now sits flush with the tank for a more sleek and aerodynamic finish.

The new graphics and chrome bits add considerable bling to the entry-level commuter that most owners will take pride in. The DX stands out in a sea of traffic; I received quite a few looks and questions from curious onlookers about the details and price of this bike. Weld and paint finish are of a high quality as well, accentuated even more during the waning hours by the metal flakes in our “Pearl Igneous Black” paint scheme.