Honda Shine 100 DX review: Shines bright as a commuter

100cc commuter bikes are slowly but surely releasing their iron-fisted grip on the two-wheeler market. But even with all the ‘premium’ products chipping away, they still make up a huge piece of the pie. Durability, frugality and affordability are still highly valued, and that’s why the 100cc bike still reigns supreme. The latest one from Honda is the familiar-looking Shine 100 DX, the suffix signifying that this is the more premium version.

To refresh your memory, the DX gets some noteworthy changes over the base Shine 100, such as a larger 10-litre fuel tank (up by 1L), tubeless tyres, a digital display, a blacked-out finish on the engine, four new colours and a chrome garnish atop the headlight, just like you’ll see on the bigger Shine 125. These changes have resulted in a 4kg weight gain over the base Shine 100, but the DX still comes in at a lightweight 103kg. Fun fact: that’s 9 kilos less than the runaway success that is the Hero Splendor.

If you are looking at pulling the trigger on either one of the Shine 100 models, the DX would be our recommendation for three primary reasons. First, tubeless tyres are unquestionably easier to mend a puncture on. Second, the new fuel tank gives you more range and also looks and feels more substantial when you’re riding the bike. Last but not least, the uncluttered and well-laid-out digital display is a good upgrade over the base 100’s analogue dials in terms of the information shown.

Honda Shine 100 DX riding position and comfort - 9/10

The riding position can best be described as neutral

Since none of the aforementioned changes are landmark ones, the DX’s riding experience is very similar to that of the base Shine 100 – and we’re not complaining, mostly. The 100cc commuter is one of the last few bastions of simple motorcycling, and this bike is a textbook example of that.

The riding position can best be described as neutral, and even though the seat is just 786mm

off the ground, the Shine’s ergonomics are such that even for 5ft 11in me, I never once felt cramped or uncomfortable. That long, nearly flat seat is spacious enough for two full-sized adults with firmer padding than usual, ensuring your posterior doesn’t get saddle sore – even after riding for multiple hours. 

Honda Shine 100 DX mileage and performance - 8/10

The Shine gets a 10-litre fuel tank and its engine delivers stupendous mileage

While comfort is very nice, the Shine 100 DX’s mileage is truly spectacular! In our fuel efficiency tests, it returned an astounding 77kpl (overall). With a 10-litre fuel tank, you’re looking at a near-800km range on a single tank!

This 100cc engine has very modest output numbers, and the Shine 100 DX’s performance can best be described as unhurried, but par for the class nonetheless. In true Honda fashion, this engine is smooth, and it is only after you cross a speedo-indicated 70kph do intrusive vibrations rear their head. While you’ve only got four gears to play with, the ratios themselves are very well-judged. In the city, the short first three gears ensure you get decent acceleration, and out on the highway, the tall fourth gear keeps the engine in its sweet spot.

You’ve got really basic componentry wrapped around the engine, and again, that’s par for the course in this cut-throat category of motorcycles. Some observations that stood out were that the rear suspension works best when riding two up – it’s still decently absorptive when riding solo. The only complaint is that the drum brakes are quite weak, even in the context of what this motorcycle is supposed to be.

Even so, riding the Shine 100 DX proved to be a different sort of fun than the larger and faster bikes I am usually accustomed to. It is delightfully nimble and has a super-tight turning radius, which makes it a hoot to filter through traffic. And I think this must be the slimmest motorcycle I’ve ridden in recent times, because I was able to go through the narrowest of gaps – ones which I’d have otherwise shied away from on my Suzuki Access 125 too!

Honda Shine 100 DX price and verdict - 8/10

The DX costs Rs 6,500 more than the base model

The Shine leaves very little to complain about, once you factor in how little you pay for it. Speaking of which, after the government’s recent GST revision, the Shine 100 DX costs Rs 69,694 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

While some areas – the plastic bodywork, switchgear and overall fit and finish – do show that this bike was built to meet a certain target, I don’t believe these are tangible considerations for the target consumer. As a means of transport for those looking to spend as little as possible, the Shine 100 DX is a tremendous tool to have, and for just Rs 6,503 more than the base model, you get some perceptible improvements over it, making it worthy of the extra cash it commands.