The bike:
Powered by a 133 cc pot with a bore x stroke of 58.5 x 49 5 mm, the bike claims to develop 11 bhp of power at 8000 rpm at a compression ratio of 9.5. Though torque figure is not mentioned, zero to sixty kph is claimed at six seconds. Idling is at 1400 rpm. The bike comes in three versions: basic without disc or self, with disc but no self (kick) and the fully loaded version having both disc and self. Wheelbase is 1285 mm and kerb weight 125.5 kg for the kick start version and 130 kg for the self start version. Fuel tank capacity is 12.5 litres with a reserve of two litres. Engine oil capacity is 1.2 litres, while oil change quantity is 900 cc. Frame is single cradle tubular, with front fork travel being 130 mm and rear shox travel being 84 mm. Brakes are 130 mm front and rear for the base version while the disc version sports a 240 mm disc front.18 inch tyres are 2.75 front and 3.00 rear.

The engine breathes thru an oil-wetted polyurethane foam type air cleaner supplying air to a side draft variable venturi (venturi dia=21 mm) carburettor having a throttle sensor working thru a #95 main jet and a #38 slow jet. Air screw setting is at 1-7/8 turns out (anti-clockwise). A wet multiplate clutch transmits power to a five speed constant mesh gearbox. Electrics are powered by an alternator producing 120 watts at 5000 rpm which powers a 12 volt / 35 watt headlight and charges the 2.5 Ah battery for kick start version and 5 Ah battery for self start version. Spark plug is either an NGK make DPR7EA-9 or a Champion make PRA7HC with a specified gap of 0.85mm.

Features and dimensions
I wouldn’t say this bike is packed with features. In spite of being an upmarket offering, how come the Ambition does not have a conveniently located "pass-light" switch (PLS)? Nor an engine kill switch (EKS)? No side-stand indicator? No trip meter. Indeed, I have not seen an EKS on any Honda bike or scooter, be it KiHo, Splendor, CBZ or even Activa. Why are these excellent features missing on the most expensive brand in India? If even econo bikes like LML Freedom have them, they couldn't be costing so much?

However, whatever this bike has is first class. The switchgear consists of a headlight on-off switch and self start button at RH whereas horn button, press-cancel blinker switch and hi-lo beam switch form the RH switchgear cluster. There are two instru-pods. The LH pod is the speedo-odo console, while the RH pod houses the fuel gauge display incorporating high beam and neutral tell-a-tale indicators. The blinker tell-a-tale indicators are at the top of the pods, separate ones for RH turn and LH turn. Handle locking is central via ignition key.

Seat is 26 inches long and 10 inches wide at it’s widest. Though not very tapered, there is no problem in feet reaching the ground, seeing as seat height from the ground (rider portion) is 78 cm or 30.65 inches. (bike off-stand, one rider 63 kg). Handlebar width is 27 inches (68.6 cm) with additional 2.75 inches (=7 cm) of end pieces. Field of vision is 77.5 cm (=30.5 inches) with each mirror having a 16 square inch (103 sq.cm.) reflecting surface.

Ground clearance is 142 mm at rear end of retracted main stand, 175 mm at center of retracted main stand and 190 mm at side stand mounting. Side panels are held in place by a screw, rather than being lockable. The LH side panel covers the air cleaner while the RH panel covers the battery. There is a lockable loop at RH rear of the seat, ostensibly to lock your helmet strap. However, this type of helmet locking system is unworkable in India, because it is still worthwhile for a chor in India to cut off the fabric strap with a blade and steal your helmet.