Bike tested: 2011 Honda CB Twister
Price OTR Mumbai: 57,619/-
[xrr label="Motorbeam Rating :" rating="4.25/5" group="s1" ]
Honda is considered to be one of the “big shots” when it comes to making bikes. They have got superb litre class bikes like the CBR Fireblades and a more of a naked series with the CB1000 RRs in the international market. Back in our country, they have already proved their mettle with the Unicorn, the Unicorn Dazzler and the Shine. Little did we expect that this company is going to tread into such a segment which has such a fierce competition with the most number of players to grab that piece of market share!! So, we all were taken for a complete shock and awe when they launched the CB Twister!!! When you look at the Twister for the first time, you are sure to ask yourself this question: “Am I in some kind of a dream? Is this really a 110cc bike?” Well, guys the answer is a resounding “YES”. If that is the case, let us check out if it really lives up to the “Honda standards”.
Styling: The styling is highly impressive with the aggressive headlights inspired again from its litre class naked bikes, the CB1000RRs. It also gets the cool small side fairings which we saw in the Dazzler before. Also, the rear view mirrors are styled in the polygonal shape similar to the ones in Dazzler. You can also make out the nice recesses carved out in the fuel tank which make it look and give a sporty feel.
Performance: On the power front, the bike also has a surprise for us in store. It is equipped with a 109 cc, 4 stroke air cooled engine which delivers 9bhp of power @ 8000 RPM and 9 Nm of torque @6000 RPM. Impressive!!!! And the best in class, I must add. The gearbox is well matched to the engine output, thus making it an effortless commuter. There is hardly any need to downshift from 3rd even if you are caught up in heavy traffic.
The engine is so smooth and so vibration free that in the idling condition, you won’t even know if it is running or not!!! It also features a self-start switch too making you save fuel when you have to wait for the light to go GREEN. The kerb weight is quite low at 108 kg making the bike feel really quick when you just twist the throttle.
Handling: Honda, as always has been quite good when it comes to the handling of their bike. The Twister features a diamond type frame-Advanced Design Diamond (in Honda’s words) which makes the bike very agile in the corners. It also feels very stable even at high speeds. Honestly speaking, personally I feel this is one thing that was missing in this segment and the Honda chaps have addressed that. It features a 240 mm front disc brake which makes you really confident with the braking capability of this. The rear features a 110 mm drum. You can even buy without the front discs if you are not of the late and hard braking type. The bumps and potholes are taken in smoothly by the two red, coil struts in the rear.
Instrument Cluster: This is also quite unconventional as to what we see in the bikes of this segment. But it does look funky!! It is dominated by the Speedometer on the left and the fuel gauge to the right. The arrangement is quite neat though. Also, the common features like Neutral gear indicator, High beam and direction indicators are provided.
Overall, the bike is really good (we are tempted to say the best) in this segment. At 57,619/- (OTR, Mumbai, for Self start with alloy wheels), the pricing may be a bit on the high side but the packaging being offered by Honda is really worth it!! Now you know why it bagged the 2010 Indian Motorcycle Of The Year award!!
- Joydeep Chatterjee









vikas February 14, 2011 at 11:19 pm
Excellent review joy, yes u need to experience a honda to know how it feels. just sayin overpriced wont help.
rash February 15, 2011 at 12:16 am
i know many will pulsar 135 better but truth is bajaj quality worse n in 2 years engine is gone, nothing beats honda quality. if honda 10 in quality, bajaj is 3.
Shrey Soni February 15, 2011 at 11:48 am
You are absolutely wrong Rash
I have used Discover 125cc for 5 years and I have never got complaints for maintenance & quality, and many Honda Unicorn (which is a 150 cc bike) have broken down in front of my bike.And no one can deny that Bajaj bikes have excellent fuel economy & great price.
On the other side Honda product does not have looks & fuel economy, and over that 57,000 for a 100 cc bike is a stupidity.
Rohit February 15, 2011 at 2:29 pm
@shray soni,Twister is 110cc not 100cc & if u compare performance with 125cc bikes,twister beats most 125cc bikes while in fuel efficiency it is second best after discover 100cc.i own twister for last 8 months & i am getting 68 kmpl in city and 82kmpl on highway.
Sunny February 15, 2011 at 9:39 pm
@ MOTORBEAM TEAM , Review for Honda CB Dazzler Will help us out .
fas February 15, 2011 at 11:22 pm
Sunny, there you go http://www.motorbeam.com/bikes/honda-cb-dazzler/honda-cb-dazzler-test-ride-review/
ignatius February 16, 2011 at 12:17 am
It is very biased review .. there is no cons listed for this bike ….
For this segment.. you should tell the fuel efficiency to claim it as a review ….
Instrument Cluster doesnot have even trip meter … as it is a premium 100 cc .. but passion pro and discover has that …
Joy Chatterjee February 17, 2011 at 10:01 am
@ vikas: thanks a lot.. :)
Joy Chatterjee February 17, 2011 at 10:06 am
@rohit: well, o doubt that bajaj is known for price, but you wont get the reliability that follows with the name Honda. As to the Honda that broke down in front of you, you cant judge a bike just by taking one case.
Joy Chatterjee February 17, 2011 at 10:08 am
@ignatius: yes, we did miss the fuel economy part because we were not able to do a proper test of that. We surely will tell you that in due course of time..
hari February 17, 2011 at 3:11 pm
hi
which one is better 1. honda twister 2. honda shine 3. hero honda splender pro….i am looking for bike which having min mileage 55 kmph, below Rs 60000, and self/alloy. please reply me asap. i need to travel 50 km daily. i will give the impotence for for long term usage.
fas February 17, 2011 at 5:49 pm
The Honda Twister is the best bike of the three but the Splendor Pro comes very close. All will satisfy your requirements.
NIKHIL July 14, 2011 at 11:19 am
TWISTER IS AWESOM IN OL OF 3
shravan February 18, 2011 at 8:07 pm
This is called overhyped review to me it never looked big bike its looks like a 50cc bike with gawdy fairings .Neither the bike has pick nor decent mileage my younger brother who has been thro this bike says it a big tin shed and the sale volume at dealer justifies his statement .Its not selling inspite of favourable reviews like this
fas February 19, 2011 at 3:45 pm
Shravan, there is no hype over here. Have you ridden competitor bikes? When you compare, the Twister does come out on top, but is overpriced.
Dinesh February 19, 2011 at 2:38 am
Among the three it is Honda shine, it is better of the three.
Joy Chatterjee February 24, 2011 at 8:19 am
@hari: dont go for the Honda Shine if you are planning on a long term use, because according to customers, the bike has a drastic reduction in mileage with time. you can pick the Twister or the Splendor Pro. If you are a kind of person, who has looks are one of the requirements you can take the Twister..
tushar March 2, 2011 at 9:15 pm
If looks and mileage is your top priority,look no further,just go Twister with eyes closed.It even takes hell out of 125cc bikes in performance anyday.
rohith March 11, 2011 at 6:06 pm
I am in a bit confusion I have 2 options Honda Twister, Yamaha SZ which one u guys prefer!
NIKHIL July 14, 2011 at 11:22 am
TWISTER S OLOVR GUD YAAR
Joy Chatterjee March 11, 2011 at 8:41 pm
@rohith: Well i suggest wait for sometime. We are coming soon with the Yamaha SZ review. You can decide after that.. :)
Yila March 13, 2011 at 12:13 am
Considering the abnormal price of this just 110cc, this should be compared with Discover 150cc, not 125cc bikes, which is about Rs.4000 cheaper than this. What do you mean by reliability? After 5 years, you may be bored with your old bike and go for another one.
Raj March 23, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Twister or Passion Pro?
Comfort is the criteria.
fas March 23, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Raj, both the bikes are from different segments.
NIKHIL July 14, 2011 at 11:23 am
TWISTER S BTTR
gaurav March 24, 2011 at 1:43 am
guys i own the beast “karizma”.nw any1 think twister cn beat it?
NIKHIL July 14, 2011 at 11:26 am
FOOLISH MAN…..ABE BAVVDE COMPARE KRNA H TOH BRAABAR KI BYK SE KR…..HIGHWAY PR JAAKAR DEKH KARIZMA K PITAJI PULSAR 220 HI KAAFI H…….WID BEATING U PULSAR 220 LL B SO FAR FORWRD FRM URS BACHA BYK…..MINE PULSAR 220CC S ENOUGH 4 URS…
jack March 27, 2011 at 8:31 pm
honda is a stupid byke, bajaj is gr8, its a desi byke, trust only desi products, why videsi u fools, i have been using bajaj pulsar for the last 4 years still no complaints, my pulsar gives 60 on main roads and 66 on highways
PraveenG June 8, 2011 at 9:17 am
I booked red color twister.. Today is delivery.. I am going to ride my twisty from today,.,.,.
Arun May 24, 2012 at 8:53 pm
Hi, iam also thinking about Cb Twister, after use 2months , pls reply me wht’s the mileage. is this comfortable r not ?
FAYAZ August 22, 2011 at 4:19 pm
I ALSO BOOKED TWISTER RED COLOUR .WILL ITS GOOD FOR AVERAGE AND LOOK
jigar September 5, 2011 at 6:28 pm
I’m confused…..Which bike is best twister or splendor plus? Which bike will give me good milage?
akshay December 14, 2011 at 2:20 pm
twister
PRAVIN LIKHAR March 28, 2012 at 2:41 pm
TWISTER..EVEN I M ALSO GOING TO PURCHASE
Joy Chatterjee September 5, 2011 at 6:55 pm
@jigar:
Both will be giving you similar mileage figures. With Twister, you obviously get the Honda reliability but in case of Splendor, we are not very sure of the quality of its after sales support post Honda split-up.
SHUHAIB KH March 9, 2012 at 12:10 pm
@GAURAV AND NIKIL NOW AM GOING O BY MY DREAM BIKE DUCCATTI 1000CC DO YOU HAVE ANY HTHING TO SAY
Arun May 24, 2012 at 8:47 pm
hi
which is the better ,i am looking for bike which having min mileage 55 kmph, below Rs. 60000, and self . please reply me asap. i need to travel 50 km daily. i will give the impotence for for long term usage. (honda twister , is this right bike for me ? )
Faisal Khan May 29, 2012 at 10:12 pm
Arun, why you want to go for Twister? Try the Shine instead.
mayank June 4, 2012 at 2:54 am
hi…need to buy the bike for 10-12 kms daily ride ….the road condition in my city is little bumpy….i have choiced cb twister,dream yuga and passion pro.
which is the one that i should buy.
Faisal Khan June 6, 2012 at 10:46 pm
Mayank, Passion Pro.
affan mujahid August 14, 2012 at 3:25 pm
I am planing to buy honda twister bike, pls suggest me for which colore i have to go,
jafar January 19, 2013 at 11:17 pm
i m planning to buy honda twister next month…….i m already liking this bike……the only query i want do is…..every1 is saying tht d rear tyre is very thin……which give bad luk to the bike….is there ne problem wid its tyers????
Prathamesh January 21, 2013 at 3:53 pm
Still the tyres are very thin but grip is very good
Prathamesh January 21, 2013 at 3:50 pm
I have purchased a honda cb twister yesterday it’s engine sound is so silent. Im impressed with this.and it’s looks are also very good.
Mansoor Ali March 2, 2013 at 8:23 pm
Well My usage is 10 to 15km.After reading a few dozens of pages Planning to buy Twister .Please let me know if there is any major drawback in case of road grip ,shifting of gear ,of spares availability etc (All this 3 cons read on net).It there is something really issue above please advice.Small tyres are though a drawback but for me its ok as i driv in30- 40 kmph range
In my view all the bikes of other companies are also good,Id depends or in fact i say luck if we get a bad unit,
Please advice
Faisal Khan March 3, 2013 at 11:42 pm
Mansoor, Twister is a good bike but a little expensive.
Akash April 23, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Faisal, m buying it tomorrow. Through canteen m getting it at Rs 47,000(dics).
Please tell me if the rear tyre is still 80 profile or they have incseased its thickness…..??
Faisal Khan April 24, 2013 at 12:23 am
Akash, its the same tyre.
Akash April 25, 2013 at 6:58 am
@faisal okay, I m getting it today… :D
the cost I told was wrong. It is 51,000 final price through CSD.