The Honda Winner 150 made its debut in Vietnam in 2016 at the Vietnam Auto Motorcycle Exhibition. It was created specifically to compete with the long-standing king of the Underbone sport bike segment in Vietnam, the Yamaha Exciter. However, even after being on the market for 3 years, the Honda Winner still struggles to surpass its rival.
The Honda Winner X Sportbike
Comparison between the Winner X and Winner 150
Comparison between the Winner X and Exciter 150
Despite this, the Winner 150 still maintains its position and appeal in the sport bike segment, with a strong following from Honda Winner clubs across various provinces and impressive activities. In mid-2019, Honda introduced an upgraded version called the Honda Winner X. This new version featured a completely redesigned appearance compared to the old Winner 150 and came with valuable equipment additions that helped it compete better in the market.
However, shortly after its release, the Honda Winner X received some initial feedback from users. Here are 4 issues with the Honda Winner X that have made users quite uncomfortable.
1. Hard Saddle on the Honda Winner X
Many users have complained that the saddle on the Honda Winner X is quite thin and hard. According to Honda, the saddle is designed to be flatter and more refined, providing a comfortable feeling for both riders and passengers.
The new Honda Winner X saddle has been reviewed as quite hard
However, many riders have voiced their complaints about the hardness of the saddle. After long rides, they feel exhausted and uncomfortable sitting on the hard and thin saddle. While the visual effect of the saddle is appealing, a thicker and more comfortable foam would greatly improve the overall experience on the Honda Winner X.
Users can modify the saddle by adding Kym Dan cushion foam or reupholstering it with softer leather.
2. Oil Leakage on the Engine Wall of the Honda Winner X
In the new version, the Honda Winner X is equipped with a single-cylinder DOHC engine with a capacity of 150cc. It is liquid-cooled and capable of producing a maximum power of 15.4 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 13.5 Nm at 6,500 rpm.
Users have complained about oil leakage at certain contact points such as the camshaft or valve cover
After a period of use, some Honda Winner X units have experienced oil leakage at certain positions on the engine wall, including contact points, the joint between the camshaft and the engine, and the valve cover. This issue results in a messy and oily engine wall, as the leaked oil mixes with mud splashed onto this area. For bikes that are regularly washed and cleaned, this issue is difficult to detect. Considering the current price of the Honda Winner X, these oil leakage issues are major drawbacks for Honda.
Oil stains can be found at the contact point between the valve cover and the engine cylinder head
To fix this issue, if the cause is a burned or damaged valve cover gasket, the only solution is to remove the valve cover and replace the gasket at the leaking area.
3. Poor Camshaft Performance on the Honda Winner X
Recently, an owner of a Honda Winner X posted a video clip showcasing the “strange noise” coming from the engine of his newly purchased bike.
A video clip showing the strange noise recorded by a Honda Winner X owner
According to the owner, his Honda Winner X had only been ridden for about 700km when the engine started making a squeaking noise. Despite using the same engine block, the Honda Winner X is equipped with a DOHC 1-cylinder engine. This type of engine utilizes a dual cam setup, so when the camshaft parts on the engine wall do not function properly, the long camshaft chain becomes prone to jumping and hitting the inner wall of the engine, resulting in a squeaking noise. Moreover, if the cam chain becomes slack, it can also affect the operation of the top cam, leading to noise that exceeds the usual level.
Although this issue has been prevalent in the old version of the Honda Winner 150, it was believed to have been completely resolved in the new version. However, the squeaking issue still persists after a short period of operation in Vietnam.
4. Engine Makes “o o” Noise Above 5,000 rpm
Meticulous riders may notice this noise in the Honda Winner X engine as soon as they control the bike and rev it above 5,000 rpm. However, this noise usually only occurs during the acceleration phase and may be attributed to some internal engine parts that are not as smooth as desired.
The Honda Winner X engine emits a slight howl when operating above 5,000 rpm
Therefore, the acceleration phase is crucial for motorcycles as they need to “train” before entering into “battle.” During this stage, it is important to use high-quality engine oil and regularly clean it after the first 500km. Paying attention to cleaning or replacing the oil filter for the first time is also crucial, as there will be a considerable amount of metal debris during this initial period.
These are the 4 “basic” issues that many Honda Winner X users in Vietnam have reported regarding this popular Underbone sport bike model. In addition, there have been some feedback regarding a stiff rear suspension, quick stretching of the original chain, and the easy breakage of the front turn signal. However, these issues can be quickly addressed by using customized accessories for the Winner X. Take care and maintain your bike, and regularly follow TINXE.VN to keep your bike in good condition and feeling new!
Kuro
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