Hero MotoCorp launched the updated Passion Plus a few days back with some minor updates. The Passion had become a household name over the course of years, and so, it made sense for the brand to revive the motorcycle. It competes against the Honda Shine 100, which was also launched a few weeks back. Let’s put the two commuters against each other on paper.
Design
The Passion Plus has retained its design cues but with slight tweaks to the headlight cowl, taillamp, and grab-rail for a refresh. Its slim build with the single-piece seat, handlebar, mirrors, and more remain unaltered. The Shine 100, on the other hand, has taken inspiration from the Shine 125 and is a proper commuter. It, too, gets a conservative style and fairly simple bodywork.
Features
The Passion Plus gets bulb illumination, a semi-digital instrument console, a USB charging port, a side-stand cut-off function, and Hero’s standard i3S tech. Meanwhile, the Shine 100 is equipped with a halogen headlight, a twin-pod instrument console, a side-stand cut-off function, and CBS (Combined Braking System). Overall, both bikes are quite bare bones on the feature front, which helps the brand maintain a low asking price.
Engine
The Passion Plus is powered by a 97.2cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled motor that makes 7.9bhp and 8.05Nm. It’s linked to a four-speed gearbox and is OBD2-compliant as well. Meanwhile, the Honda Shine 100 gets a 98.9cc, single-cylinder motor with an output rated at 7.28bhp and 8.05Nm. It’s linked to a four-speed gearbox. But the Passion Plus weighs almost 16kg more than the Shine 100, so the latter is likely to have a better power-to-weight ratio.
Hardware
Both motorcycles have a very simple set of hardware – telescopic front forks and dual rear shocks with drum brakes at both ends. Then, the Passion Plus gets 18-inch wheels, whereas the Shine 100 rides on 17-inch units. The former’s larger wheels offer it better stability but the latter’s smaller alloys make it easier to flick around.
Price
The Passion Plus' asking price is Rs. 76,301 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and is available in three paint schemes — Sports Red, Black Nexus Blue, and Black Heavy Grey. Meanwhile, the Honda Shine costs Rs. 64,900 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and can be bought in five colours – black with red stripes, black with blue stripes, black with green stripes, black with gold stripes, and black with grey stripes.
