Achiever iSmart vs Shine SP Comparison Review

Honda Shine SP vs Hero Achiever 150 iSmart Comparison Review:


Pricing & Features:

The Achiever iSmart retails for 70,000 Rs. on road, Delhi, for the disc brake version, which is identical to the Shine SP’s ‘Deluxe’ variant, having a disc brake. The Shine SP is also available in the CBS variant, equipped with Honda’s combi-braking system, retailing for 72,000 Rs. We genuinely endorse the CBS system to all the mainstream riders, as it provides some much needed braking assistance during panic braking maneuvers, which all of us encounter, quite regularly on our daily commutes.

Achiever i3S vs Shine SP Video Comparison Review:


Pricing of other variants:
Achiever 150 iSmart – 69,000 Rs.
Shine SP STD (Drum brake) – 69,000 Rs.

Fuel Efficiency:
In our back to back tests, the Shine was consistently 7 kmpl more efficient than the Achiever iSmart. In spite of its fuel saving i3S, integrated start-stop technology, the Achiever iSmart was able to cover only 55 kilometers on a litre of fuel, while the Shine returned an average fuel economy of 62 kmpl. That equates to a savings of 9000 Rs. for Shine riders, over a usage of 60,000 km compared to the Achiever

Fuel Cost: (for running of 60,000 kms.)
Achiever iSmart – 77,000 Rs.
Shine SP – 68,000 Rs.

Reliability & After Sales Service: Both Hero and its ‘ex’ Honda, have the country’s best track record, for product reliability and service support, built painstakingly, over the last few decades in India. Both brands also have a widespread and fairly customer centric service network across the country.

Resale & Cost of Ownership:
5-to-7 year old Honda Shines, are available for around 35,000 Rs. today. Achievers of similar vintage sell for noticeably lower asking price of around 28,000 Rs. because of its unpopularity in the market compared to the super-hit Shine. Shine’s better fuel efficiency also helps its case in the used motorcycle market. Overall the Shine SP works out to be 16,000 Rs. or around 15% cheaper than an Achiever iSmart in terms of Overall Ownership Cost.

Resale Price: (after 5 to 7 years of usage)
Achiever iSmart – 28,000
Shine SP – 35,000

Total Cost of Ownership: (Price + Fuel Cost – Resale Value)
Achiever iSmart – 1.18 Lakh Rs.
Shine SP – 1.02 Lakh Rs.

Performance & Tractability:
On paper, the Achiever seems like a small upgrade over the Shine, but in reality, it is even better. Achiever's 150cc engine is a real gem. It is a quintessential 'Honda' mill, with buttery smooth refinement, which never loses its smoothness even past the redline. It has linear power delivery, a muscular mid-range, and it just loves to rev. Shine's engine on the other hand is a bit of a disappointment. Even though it is fairly refined compared to other bikes on the market, it is a bit coarse when compared to its stablemates, be it the smaller 110cc Dream-series mill, or the 150cc Unicorn-family mill. More importantly, it is too city-biased in terms of its calibration. It has excellent low-end torque, but it runs out of breath rather quickly, making it feel extremely strained on the open roads.

Power to Weight Ratio (PS/ton): Achiever iSmart – 99, Shine SP – 86 (Δ15%)
Torque to Weight Ratio (Nm/ton): Achiever iSmart – 92, Shine SP – 83 (Δ11%)

Power (PS@rpm): Achiever iSmart – 13.7@8000, Shine SP – 10.7@9000
Torque (Nm@rpm): Achiever iSmart – 12.8@5500, Shine SP – 10.3@5500
Kerb Weight (kg): Achiever iSmart – 139, Shine SP – 124

Displacement: Achiever iSmart - 149, Shine SP - 124.73

Handling & Ride Quality:
Both of these bikes a bit flawed in terms of dynamics. The Shine has a smaller wheelbase compared to Honda's own 110cc Dream Yuga. Ride Quality is quite stiff, especially for a commuter. Earlier it was even worse, when it had tubular swingarm, instead of the current box-section affair. The Achiever iSmart fares a little bit better, but is let down sorely, by the cut-price Ceat Tyres. Their extra hard compound has seriously deteriorated the Achiever's grip around corners as well as its stability under hard braking.

Tyre Size:
Front: Achiever iSmart – 80/100R18, Shine SP – 80/100R18
Rear: Achiever iSmart – 80/100R18, Shine SP – 80/100R18

Wheelbase (mm): Achiever iSmart – 1290, Shine SP – 1266

Ground Clearance (mm): Achiever iSmart - 160, Shine SP - 160

Comfort & Ergonomics:

Both bikes are 100% pure commuters, with an upright seating position, with forward- set foot-pegs, comfortable seats and raised handlebars. Their respective rider, can happily spend hours in the saddle without any fatigue. However, Shine SP has a slight edge over the Achiever, when it comes to the overall build quality. It also has better equipment, thanks to a more up-to-date, semi-digital speedo console compared to Achiever's analog console having a decade old design.
Verdict:
Achiever has been one of the most under-rated products in the market. Of all the entry level 150cc attempts by various manufacturers made thus far, be it the Discover 150s, Boxer 150 and the V15 from Bajaj or the SZ, SZ-X and SZ-R from Yamaha, the Achiever has always been the best. Its sheer buttery smooth refinement, throttle response, sweet exhaust note, creamy wave of mid-range torque and eagerness to rev has long been the envy of competitors from several segments above it. You might look at it as a marginally more expensive bike to own, than a Honda Shine, but in reality it is like a significantly cheaper version of a Unicorn in terms of its abilities and riding feel. That is what makes it immensely better value-for-money than the Shine SP and thus, a very deserving winner of our shootout.

Achiever iSmart vs Shine SP Comparison Review