FOR SALE (Sri Lanka) 3 month old 2009 150cc Honda (Hero) CB-X motorbike (’Gungadin’) that will have approximately 3500 km on the clock by the time I get around the coast). I bought it in Kandy (Sri Lanka) and have been using to get about for that last 3 months, including a tour of the east, south and west coast in the remaining month. It is a small motor, but don’t sneer – the police drive the most powerful bikes here (250 cc) and anything bigger is illegal! People think it is a ‘big bike’ here (anything > 100cc is big). Anyway, if your doing more than 70 kmph on many of the roads here your going to die very quickly. There is little more sobering than a bus on the wrong side of the road, passing another bus also on the wrong side of the road, as you round a cornor. Take it easy here, it is well worth it just for the scenery – and you will be rewarded in Sri Lanka if you show patience in most things.

Model:
Hero Honda CBX X-treme
Year:
2009
Category:
Sport
Displacement:
149.20 ccm (9.10 cubic inches)
Engine type:
Single cylinder
Stroke:
4
Power:
14.40 HP (10.5 kW)) @ 8500 RPM
Torque:
10.80 Nm (1.1 kgf-m or 8.0 ft.lbs) @ 6500 RPM
Compression:
9.1:1
Bore x stroke:
57.3 x 57.8 mm (2.3 x 2.3 inches)
Fuel system:
Carburettor
Fuel control:
OHC
Starter:
Electric & kick
Cooling system:
Air
Gearbox:
5-speed
Transmission type
final drive:
Chain
Clutch:
Multiplate, wet
Physical measures
Weight incl. oil, gas, etc:
143.0 kg (315.3 pounds)
Overall height:
1,145 mm (45.1 inches)
Overall length:
2,080 mm (81.9 inches)
Overall width:
765 mm (30.1 inches)
Ground clearance:
145 mm (5.7 inches)
Wheelbase:
1,325 mm (52.2 inches)
Chassis and dimensions
Frame type:
Tubular double cradle
Front suspension:
Telescopic Hydraulic Fork
Rear suspension:
Swing Arm with Hydraulic Shock Absorbers
Front tyre dimensions:
2.75-18
Rear tyre dimensions:
100/90-18
Front brakes:
Single disc
Front brakes diameter:
240 mm (9.4 inches)
Rear brakes:
Expanding brake (drum brake)
Rear brakes diameter:
130 mm (5.1 inches)
Other specifications
Fuel capacity:
12.00 litres (3.17 gallons)
Reserve fuel capacity:
1.50 litres (0.40 gallons)

I paid about 1600 USD for the bike (new) and another 200 USD for registration and insurance. All the hard yards with the paperwork are done (believe me, you don’t want to do it on your own!) and the registration can be transferred to you if you have a three month tourist Visa – in fact, I think it does not even matter if you have a 30 day VISA. You just need an address – a hotel will do. Pop along to the Ceylon Automibile Association and get a quaint little guy to type you up a letter that says that your international drivers licence is accepted in Sri Lanka. That’s all you’ll need. But bring an international drivers license.

It was much better deal to buy a bike than hire or import one. At some hire rates of $15 USD a day (for a real Honda and even smaller local bikes at $10 USD for shockers) you are up for about the same amount after three months as soon as you pay for insurance. Selling the bike on to a local is not difficult and I am hopeful that there are many others who want an easy way to get a set of wheels and travel independently in Sri Lanka and I don’t expect it will be hard to sell.

Gungadin is still under warranty (up to 40, 000 km) and should it break down you can get it repaired at any one of the many Honda Hero service centres around Sri Lanka. This is why I went for the Honda Hero and not a resurrected European or Japanese bike. Sure, in Colombo you will probably get parts for some bigger names after a hot and frustrating day, but I would rather slum it on a 160 cc local bike that will be repaired in 30 minutes than sit it out for few days of doing nothing.

Although the bike cannot be compared to a “real” Honda, the Indian/Japanese hybrids have really improved and have to be the pick of the bunch here in Sri Lanka. It has a heap of acceleration, good disc breaks (front), excellent cornering, somewhat clunky but ok gears, good driving lights and excellent fuel economy (fuel is expensive here). The tires will see you through the roads here – but it is not for off-road (although the locals would not agree). I’ve even started to become quite fond of ‘ol Gungadin – he is a better man than I.

Here are some random reviews and specs for you:

HERO HONDA CBZ XTREME Review, HERO HONDA CBZ XTREME Price, Mileage, Go Extreme.... - MouthShut.com (I agree about everything but the fuel economy comment – probably thrashing the poor old 150 cc engine!).

2009 Hero Honda CBX X-treme specifications and pictures

Didn’t really read this one.

If your interested, I can hand over Gungadin around the 8-10th June close to the main airport near Colombo (Negombo). You’ll get all the papers, insurance, rego, stickers, helmet etc (its like a show bag). Happy to give you survival tips and contacts for honest bike sales and service people.

Make me an offer. Believe me, I would have LOVED to have picked up a bike from a fellow traveller as I came out of immigration – it took me two weeks to organise it all. I’d be really happy to pass Gungadin to another traveller who will hopefully have as much fun as me and far less hassle. It is really the only way to travel here – unless you like prehistoric buses, bargaining with evil Tuk Tuk drivers or paying a fortune in taxi rides!

Preferred transaction is USD, Euro or Stirling

Contact Clive Marks in Sri Lanka
camarks@attglobal.net
+94 (0)72 8562123

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