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      Hero Sales Breakup Oct 2024 – Splendor, Deluxe, Xtreme, Passion, Pleasure, Mavrick

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      New Hero Xtreme 125RHero Splendor and Deluxe commanded the sales list with a combined share of 79% and positive YoY and MoM growth
      Two wheeler sales as a whole soared in October 2024 boosted by festival demand and increased sales across rural markets. Consumer discounts and new model launches also played an important role in steering buyers into company showrooms. Increased sales were also seen across the electric two wheeler segment all of which combined to allow Hero MotoCorp to maintain its lead position in the segment with domestic sales of 6,54,259 units.
      Hero MotoCorp Sales Oct 2024 – YoY Vs MoM
      Hero MotoCorp has posted a 17.14% YoY growth with 6,54,259 unit sales in Oct 2024. This was a 97,005 unit volume increase over 5,57,254 units sold in Oct 2023. MoM sales also saw a 6.17% growth when compared to 6,16,233 units sold in Sep 2024.
      Hero Sales Breakup Oct 2024 – YoY Comparison
      Hero Splendor once again claimed a top spot not only on the company sales list but this iconic, mileage friendly commuter bike was also the best-selling two wheeler in the country. Sales of the Splendor improved by 25.91% YoY to 3,91,612 units, up from 3,11,031 units sold in Oct 2023. It also posted a 4.18% MoM improvement over 3,75,866 units sold in Sep 2024 to command a 59.86% share on this list.
      At No 2 was the HF Deluxe with 1,24,343 units sales to command a 19.01% share. It was 5.63% YoY and 9.24% MoM growth from 1,17,719 units and 1,13,827 units sold in Oct 2023 and Sep 2024 respectively. It was followed by the Xtreme 125R with 39,735 unit sales last month. This relatively newcomer to the list has recorded a 5.90% MoM growth from 37,520 unit sales as of Sep 2024.
      Hero Sales Breakup Oct 2024 – MoM Comparison
      Hero Passion, Glamour, Destini Sales Decline YoY
      Hero Passion, Glamour and Destini 125 have seen sales decline in Oct 2024 even as their performance improved on a MoM basis. Passion sales were down to 27,919 units with a 31.50% YoY decline but a 10.98% MoM growth. Glamour, with 24,356 unit sales also suffered a 35.01% YoY dip in demand while sales improved by 22.82% MoM. Destini 125 had 14,546 unit sales last month, a 16.52% YoY de-growth but an 11.08% MoM improvement.
      Hero Pleasure was up next, recording an 18.18% YoY increase in sales to 12,729 units from 10,773 units sold in Oct 2023. Its MoM performance declined by 10.37% from 14,202 units sold in Sep 2024. The Vida electric scooter has seen remarkable demand in the country. Sales surged by 127.86% YoY and 63.49% MoM to 8,750 units. The Vida also featured at No. 5 on the list of 2W electric sales last month.
      Xoom sales dipped to 5,776 units last month with a 45.56% and 1.21% YoY and MoM decline. Xtreme 160/200 also suffered a 47.86% decline in sales to 2,326 units. The sales list also had the XPulse 200 with 1,964 unit sales posting YoY and MoM de-growth.
      There was also the Mavrick 440, launched earlier this year that saw only 196 unit sales last month with an 83.23% MoM decline. Sales of the Hero Karizma 210 also suffered from lower sales at just 7 units. This was a significant degrowth by 97.54% YoY and 85.42% MoM. There had been 285 units sold in Oct 2023 and 48 units sold in Sep 2024. More

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      Honda Activa Electric Launch In Phased Manner – 1 Lakh Production Target

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      Honda Activa Electric IndiaWhile the Activa E has removable battery packs, the QC1 electric scooter comes with a fixed battery setup
      After a long wait, Honda Motorcycles & Scooters India (HMSI) has introduced their electric scooters in India. As both removable and nonremovable battery pack options are available, Honda’s electric scooters can target a larger segment of users. Popular EVs like Ola, Bajaj Chetak and Ather are offered with only non-removable batteries. Only recently Ola has introduced a new model with a removable battery pack.
      2025 production target at 1 lakh units
      For the first year, HMSI will be producing around 1 lakh electric scooters. It includes both the Activa E and QC1. The scooters will be manufactured at the company’s facility in Narsapura (Karnataka). Honda has three other factories, located in Alwar (Rajasthan), Manesar (Haryana) and Vithalapur (Gujarat). However, the EVs will be manufactured only at the Narsapura factory.
      Honda Activa e: launch India
      While most details about Activa E and QC1 have been revealed, the prices will be announced in January. Bookings will also commence in the same month. Deliveries are scheduled to start from February 2025. As Honda has been able to achieve 99% localization, one can expect the electric scooters to be available at an attractive price point. Even the battery packs are being sourced from a local supplier.
      Honda Activa Electric India
      Phased rollout across India
      To avoid long waiting periods, Honda will be rolling out its electric scooters across India in a phased manner. Initially, metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru will be targeted. Other cities and locations will be covered in a phased manner. In 2025, Honda has plans to cover around half of the domestic electric two-wheeler market.
      Honda electric scooters, Activa E and QC1, will be sold via the existing Red Wing dealerships. The company does not have plans to set up any exclusive dealer network for its electric scooters. Dedicated spaces will be created within the existing Red Wing dealerships for the electric scooters. Honda India is also working to upgrade its existing dealerships to ensure that they can handle the sales and service of EVs.
      QC1 vs Activa E
      Among the two, the QC1 with non-removable battery pack will be cheaper than Activa E. It has a single battery pack of 1.5 kWh. The BLDC motor produces peak power of 2.44 PS. Certified range is 80 km, whereas top speed is limited to 50 km/H. Accelerating from 0 to 40 km/H will take 9.4 seconds. Tackling uphill roads can be challenging, as QC1 has gradeability of only 7 degrees. The scooter gets a simple 5-inch LCD display with IP65 water and dust resistance rating.
      Activa E could be positioned as a premium product, as it offers better performance and advanced features. This is especially true for the top variant that will have a dedicated connectivity suite. The base variant will be relatively cheaper. Performance aspects are the same for both variants. Activa E utilizes dual swappable lithium-ion battery packs of 1.5 kWh capacity each. Max power output is 8.15 PS. Certified range is 102 km, whereas top speed is 80 km/H. 0 to 60 km/H can be achieved in 7.3 seconds. Activa E has a gradeability of 13 degrees.
      Since home charging is not available with Activa E, the battery packs will be offered via a BaaS (Battery as a Service) program. This will be beneficial, as it will reduce the cost of ownership. Users also need not worry about things like battery life and battery maintenance and replacement.
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      Royal Enfield Sales Breakup Oct 2024 – Classic, Bullet, Hunter, Himalayan, 650 Twins

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      New Royal Enfield Classic 350Royal Enfield’s 350cc range registered improved YoY and MoM growth, together garnered a combined share of 91.54%
      Royal Enfield’s 350cc range, which consists of models such as the Classic 350, Hunter 350, Bullet 350, and Meteor 350, continues to see strong demand in October 2024. Regaled both for their looks and performance, each of these bikes have seen positive YoY and MoM sales. These 4 offerings contributed heftily to overall sales growth with a combined share of 91.54%.
      Royal Enfield Sales Breakup Oct 2024 – Classic 350 Leads
      Royal Enfield has recorded sales of 1,01,886 units in Oct 2024. This was a 25.85% YoY growth from 80,958 units sold in Oct 2023. It related to a 20,928 unit volume increase. MoM sales also ended positively with a 28.44% improvement over 79,326 units sold in Sep 2024. We assess further sales of each of the company models separately.
      Royal Enfield Sales Breakup Oct 2024 – YoY Comparison
      Royal Enfield Classic 350 has long been a favored model in the company portfolio. Sales of the Classic 350 improved by 20.06% YoY to 38,297 units in Oct 2024, up from 31,897 units sold in Oct 2023. It was also a 15.82% MoM growth over 33,065 units sold in Sep 2024. The RE Classic 350 was also at No. 9 on the list of top 10 motorcycles sold last month.
      At No. 2 was the Bullet 350 with 22,419 unit sales last month. This related to a 57.32% YoY and 64.34% MoM growth. There were 14,296 units and 12.901 units sold in Oct 2023 and Sep 2024 respectively. Positive sales growth was also reported for the RE Hunter 350, sales of which went up to 21,350 units in the past month. This was a 20.40% YoY growth from 17,732 units sold in Oct 2023 and a 22.66% MoM improvement from 17,406 units sold in Sep 2024.
      Royal Enfield Sales Breakup Oct 2024 – MoM Comparison
      Increased demand was also reported for the Meteor 350 by 9.81% to 11,136 units, up from 10,141 units sold in Oct 2023. MoM sales grew by 28.52% over 8,665 units sold in Sep 2024. The Meteor currently commands a 10.93% share on this sales list.
      Also in the 350cc segment is the new Goan Classic 350, a Bobber-style motorcycle that was recently revealed in Goa’s Motoverse 2024. It gets the same J-Series powertrain that also powers its other 4 models in the 350cc range. The Goan Classic will compete with the Jawa 42 Bobber in its segment. Royal Enfield has also released details of the Flying Flea electric motorcycle sub-brand which will launch its first motorcycle in 2026.
      RE Models in the 450cc and 650cc Range
      Along with the highly favoured 350cc range, the company also has 5 offerings in the 450cc and 650cc range. It was the 650 Twins that comprised the Interceptor 650 and Continental 650 that reported increased demand. Sales were up to 3,218 units in Oct 2024 which was an 84.31% YoY growth from 2,944 units sold in the same month of last year. It also showed off a 12.16% MoM improvement over 2,869 unit sales of Sep 2024.
      The adventure touring bike RE Himalayan found its sales decline by 25.31% YoY to 2,199 units, down from 2,944 units sold in Oct 2023. Better demand was seen on a MoM basis with sales improving by 21.22%. Guerrilla sales stood at 1,584 units last month. This relatively new entrant to the company list has suffered a 4.41% MoM decline from 1,657 units sold in Sep 2024. RE Super Meteor sales fell by 40.51% YoY to 1,310 units and saw the highest MoM growth by 91.24% from just 685 units sold in Sep 2024. The list had the Shotgun 650 cruiser bike down at No. 9 with 301 unit sales last month, a 14.02% MoM improvement over 264 units sold in Sep 2024. More

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      Honda Activa e:, QC1 – Early 2025 Rollout

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      Honda Activa e: launch IndiaSpecifications, Production and Launch Details for Honda Activa e:
      Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) is launching the ACTIVA e: and QC1 models in early 2025. Bookings for these electric scooters begin on 1 January 2025, with deliveries scheduled from February 2025. Both scooters will be manufactured at HMSI’s Narsapura plant near Bengaluru, Karnataka. Initial availability is limited to Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, distributed through select HMSI dealerships.
      ACTIVA e: features a dual-swappable battery system, each battery having a capacity of 1.5 kWh. This configuration allows a range of 102 km per charge. Powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor, it delivers a peak power of 6 kW and torque of 22 Nm. With a top speed of 80 km/h, it accelerates from 0 to 60 km/h in 7.3 seconds. Riding modes include Econ, Standard, and Sport, catering to varied urban commuting needs.
      Honda QC1 launch – India
      Honda QC1, 80 km Range: A Compact Solution for Urban Needs
      QC1 employs a fixed battery system with a 1.5 kWh capacity, offering a range of 80 km per charge. It utilises an in-wheel electric motor generating 1.8 kW of peak power and 77 Nm of torque. This scooter has a top speed of 50 km/h and two riding modes: Standard and Econ. Charging takes 4 hours 30 minutes for 0–80% and 6 hours 50 minutes for a full charge.
      ACTIVA e: is equipped with a 7.0-inch TFT display supporting Honda RoadSync Duo, offering seamless smartphone integration. QC1 features a 5.0-inch LCD display and additional practical elements like a USB Type-C outlet and 26-litre under-seat storage. Both models focus on enhancing user convenience and connectivity during rides.
      Honda Activa e: and QC1 launch – India
      Battery Swaps or Home Charges? Honda Covers Both
      Honda’s ‘Triple Action to ZERO’ initiative reflects its focus on carbon neutrality, clean energy, and resource circulation. This global concept underpins HMSI’s EV strategy, aiming to contribute to sustainable urban mobility while reducing environmental impact. Honda Activa e: and QC1 are pivotal in advancing these goals.
      To support its EV rollout, Honda has established Power Pack Exchanger e: stations in Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai. These stations facilitate quick battery swaps for ACTIVA e:, minimising downtime for users. QC1’s fixed battery requires conventional charging, catering to users with access to home charging facilities.
      Colour Options, Warranty and Services
      ACTIVA e: is available in five dynamic colours: Pearl Shallow Blue, Pearl Misty White, Pearl Serenity Blue, Matt Foggy Silver Metallic, and Pearl Igneous Black. These options enhance its appeal among urban commuters seeking style and functionality.
      Both scooters come with a comprehensive warranty of three years or 50,000 km, ensuring long-term reliability. Customers also receive three free services in the first year, along with complimentary roadside assistance for the same period, reinforcing Honda’s focus on customer satisfaction.
      Urban Mobility Solutions, ACTIVA e: and QC1 Tackle City Challenges Differently
      ACTIVA e: and QC1 address key urban commuting challenges, offering eco-friendly alternatives to conventional scooters. While ACTIVA e: focuses on extended range and advanced features, QC1 targets practicality with its simplified design and fixed battery system.
      Market ImpactHonda’s entry into the EV market strengthens competition in the Indian two-wheeler segment. These models combine proven brand reliability with user-centric features, positioning HMSI as a significant player in electric mobility.
      caling Infrastructure: Honda’s Path to EV Growth
      While initial availability is restricted to three cities, HMSI’s scalable infrastructure and dealer network hint at future expansion. The company’s investment in EV ecosystems reflects a commitment to transforming urban transportation in India.
      Tsutsumu Otani, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “The introduction of ACTIVA e: and QC1 marks a defining step in our commitment to sustainable mobility in India. With our EV roadmap now in the execution phase, HMSI is committed to build one of India’s best EV ecosystems.” More

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      New Suzuki V-Strom 160 ADV Debuts – India Launch Possible?

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      New Suzuki V-Strom 160 ADVPresented as a versatile machine, Suzuki V-Strom 160 has capabilities across city streets and off-road environments as well
      Suzuki has expanded its V-Strom adventure tourer motorcycle range to include the V-Strom 160. The idea is to make the ADV experience accessible to a larger segment of users. While currently available only in Colombia, the bike could be introduced in India as well. Interestingly, the bike looks similar to Haojue DL160.
      Suzuki V-Strom 160 – Attractive design, colours
      While Suzuki V-Strom 160 has a lower displacement, it has the same sporty profile as the higher capacity V-Strom bikes. With its compact size, the Suzuki V-Strom 160 also seems to have a sharper profile in comparison to the likes of V-Strom 1050. In India, the V-Strom range includes the V-Strom SX 250 and the V-Strom 800DE. All V-Strom bikes have similar vibes, although each has some distinctive features for a unique look and feel.
      New Suzuki V-Strom 160 ADV
      Suzuki V-Strom 160 gets signature features associated with the V-Strom range. It includes the raised front fender, transparent windscreen, sculpted fuel tank and upswept exhaust. Other key highlights include a multifunction digital dashboard, KYB mono-shock rear suspension and USB charging port. The bike has 17-inch alloy wheels, with 100/80 front and 130/70 rear tubeless tyres. Dual-purpose tyres can unlock experiences across off-road tracks, although the usability will be primarily for on-road environments.
      Suzuki has also provided some striking colour options with the new V-Strom 160. Most eye-catching is the yellow-blue combo. It perfectly suits the bike’s sporty character. Another colour option is a white-blue combo. It is relatively sober, but comes across as quite elegant and confident.
      New Suzuki V-Strom 160 ADV
      Suzuki V-Strom 160 – Performance, specs
      Powering the new Suzuki V-Strom 160 is a 160cc engine. The single cylinder, SOHC, FI engine generates 14.75 hp and 14 Nm of torque. The bike is equipped with a 5-speed gearbox. The engine is configured to deliver a smooth performance across a wide variety of riding conditions. Ground clearance of 160 mm seems suitable for some mild off-roading needs.
      New Suzuki V-Strom 160 ADV
      Even smaller riders can ride the bike confidently, as it has a seat height of 795 mm. V-Strom 160 should be easy to handle and control with a weight of 148 kg. The bike is 2,025 mm long and has a wheelbase of 1,345 mm. Fuel tank capacity is 13 litres. At the front, the bike has standard telescopic forks. Braking setup comprises disc brakes at both ends, with dual-channel ABS as standard.
      Suzuki V-Strom 160 – India launch prospects
      As of now, Suzuki has introduced the V-Strom 160 in Colombia. The bike will be manufactured in Brazil. With the adventure tourer segment gaining popularity in India, the new V-Strom 160 could be introduced in India also. However, there’s no official details about the launch of V-Strom 160 in India.
      New Suzuki V-Strom 160 ADV is similar to Haojue DL160
      As of now, the entry-level dual-sport motorcycle segment is dominated by Hero Xpulse. Suzuki V-Strom 160 could be introduced at a lower price point. It can attract enthusiasts who want the ADV look and feel for their everyday commutes. More

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      Top 10 Motorcycle Sales Oct 2024 – Splendor, Pulsar, Raider, Xtreme, Classic, Unicorn

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      New Hero Xtreme 125RIt was Hero Splendor and Honda Shine that commanded this list along with the Hero HF Deluxe each of which have posted improved YoY and MoM sales
      Following our earlier reports on top 10 two wheeler sales and best-selling scooters in Oct 2024, we now assess the highest selling motorcycles in the same month. The festive season brought in improved sales across the two wheeler segment. Now, year-end purchases and hefty discounts could further spur up demand.
      Top 10 Motorcycle Sales Oct 2024 – Hero Splendor at No. 1
      Motorcycle sales in Oct 2024 improved to 10,96,816 units, up 13.85% from 9,63,419 units sold in Oct 2023. This was a volume increase of 1,33,397 units. MoM sales also ended positively with a 4.72% improvement over 10,47,356 units sold in Sep 2024. Hero Splendor was the highest selling motorcycle last month with 3,91,612 unit sales to command a 35.70% market share. This was a 25.91% YoY growth over 3,11,031 units sold in Oct 2023. MoM sales also showed off a 4.18% growth when compared to 3,75,886 units sold in Sep 2024.
      Top 10 Motorcycle Sales Oct 2024 – YoY Comparison
      Honda Shine has also long been a hot favorite in the motorcycle segment. Its sales stood at 1,96,288 units in the past month, a 19.99% YoY and 7.95% MoM increase to command a 17.90% market share. There had been 1,63,587 units and 1,81,835 units sold in Oct 2023 and Sep 2024 respectively.
      Hero HF Deluxe, a popular commuter motorcycle, regaled both for its fuel efficiency and affordability, featured at No. 3 on this list. Sales stood at 1,24,343 units, a 5.63% YoY growth from 1,17,719 units sold in Oct 2023. MoM sales also showed strong performance with a 9.24% rise over 1,13,827 units sold in Sep 2024.
      Top 10 Motorcycle Sales Oct 2024 – MoM Comparison
      Bajaj Pulsar and Platina Sales Decline
      Two highly popular models from the Bajaj Auto stables, Pulsar and Platina featured next on this list. However, the Pulsar has witnessed falling sales which fell to 1,11,834 units in Oct 2024. This was a 30.78% YoY and 19.65% MoM de-growth. There had been 1,61,572 units and 1,39,182 units sold in Oct 2023 and Sep 2024 respectively. Platina sales also fell by 17.24% YoY to 61,689 units over 74,539 units sold in Oct 2023. It however, received increased demand on a MoM basis by 23.94% from 49,774 units sold in Sep 2024. Platina currently holds a 5.62% market share.
      TVS Raider at No. 6 saw 51,153 unit sales last month, a 7.73% YoY growth from 47,483 units sold in Oct 2023 while MoM sales were up 18.21% from 43,274 units sold in Sep 2024. In October 2024, the company also introduced the TVS Raider 125 iGO variant enhancing the company presence in the premium 125cc bike segment.
      Also from TVS stables was the Apache with 50,097 unit sales last month, a 27.84% YoY and 20.31% MoM growth. There had been 39,187 units and 41,640 units sold in Oct 2023 and Sep 2024 respectively. The Apache currently occupies a 4.57% market share.
      Hero Xtreme 125R amassed sales of 39,735 units in the past month which related to a 5.90% MoM growth from 37,520 units sold in Sep 2024. It was followed by the Royal Enfield Classic 350 with 38,297 unit sales and a 20.60% YoY and 15.82% MoM growth. Honda Unicorn also posted improved sales last month at 31,768 units which was a massive 93.66% YoY growth over 16,404 units sold in the same month last year while MoM sales grew marginally by 1.32% over 31,353 units sold in Sep 2024. More

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      Yamaha Sales Breakup October 2024 – RayZR, FZ, R15, MT-15, Fascino

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      Yamaha R15Team Blue is expected to launch multiple new motorcycles and scooters in India across varied segments to expand portfolio and boost sales
      Within India’s 2W industry, Yamaha has made quite a name for itself. The company has a slew of premium motorcycles and scooters on sale in India. Yamaha’s Indian portfolio lacks commuter options in both scooters (110cc) and motorcycles (100cc and 125cc). Despite that, Yamaha posts healthy numbers, as reflected in October 2024 sales.
      Yamaha Sales Breakup October 2024
      For the month of October 2024, Yamaha posted a healthy 75,349 units sales, which is not a bad number considering the company lacks budget commuter options. When compared to 67,784 units sold in October 2023 and 66,615 units sold in September 2023, Yamaha achieved positive double-digit YoY and MoM growth of 11.16% and 13.11% respectively. Volume growth stood at 7,565 units YoY and 8,734 units MoM.
      Company’s best-seller is RayZR 125 scooter, which commands a 24.49% market share of Yamaha’s total sales. With 18,451 units sold, RayZR 125 registered 33.03% YoY growth over 13,870 units and 12.15% MoM growth over 16,452 units accounting for a volume gain of 4,581 units YoY and 1,999 units MoM.
      In 2nd place, we have Yamaha’s FZ streetfighter lineup with 17,874 units sold last month. FZ lineup accounts for 23.72% of Yamaha’s total sales. When compared to 18,000 units sold last year and 13,617 units sold a month before, FZ registered 0.70% YoY decline, losing 126 units in volume and 31.26% MoM growth, gaining 4,257 units in volume.
      Yamaha Sales Breakup October 2024 – YoY
      The premium street fighter, MT-15 sold 13,405 units with an impressive 53.45% YoY growth, gaining 4,669 units in volume and 9.11% MoM growth gaining 1,119 units in volume. MT-15’s fully-faired sibling, YZF-R15, sold 11,449 units and saw a surprising 11.69% YoY decline and a 7.87% MoM growth. MT-15 and R15 accounted for 17.79% and 15.19% of Yamaha’s total sales respectively.
      In 5th position, we have Yamaha’s most affordable scooter, Fascino 125. It is also a retro-styled scooter with a 125cc scooter and weighs under 100 kg in weight. With 11,329 units sold last month, Fascino 125 was the only one on this list to register a sales decline in both YoY and MoM analysis with 2.42% YoY and 1.41% MoM decline.
      R3 and MT-03 sold 15 units combined
      Yamaha’s premium 155cc scooter, Aerox 155, sold a total of 2,826 units and fell into the green completely as it registered 8.53% YoY and a staggering 31.93% MoM growth. This is the only sporty liquid-cooled scooter on sale in India for the mainstream market and has covered a unique niche.
      Yamaha Sales Breakup October 2024 – MoM
      Yamaha’s multi-cylinder portfolio was filled with the launch of R3 and MT-03. These motorcycles are launched with premium pricing and has resulted in slower sales. Together, R3 and MT-03 sold 15 units and there was a 15.38% MoM growth. There will be more multi-cylinder motorcycles from Yamaha in the future. More

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      Honda GB500 Trademarked – Is This India-Made Royal Enfield 650 Rival?

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      Honda CB500 1971 : Image For Reference OnlyWith the middleweight motorcycle segment gaining higher volumes, Honda can introduce the GB500 in India as the CB500
      At the 2024 EICMA, Honda introduced the GB350 S for European markets. Across international markets, Honda uses the GB350 name in comparison to CB350 in India. New reports indicate that Honda is also working on GB500. Which could spawn a CB500 version for Indian market to rival the likes of Royal Enfield’s ever-expanding 650cc portfolio.
      Honda GB500 registered in Europe, USA
      In a development that reveals Honda’s potential plans to launch GB500, a trademark has been filed for GB500 under motorcycle and motorcycle parts category. In the USA, the GB500 name has been trademarked with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on 12th November.
      Similarly, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) registered the name on 14th November. There’s a strong chance of GB500 making it to production and keep a check on Royal Enfield’s ever-popular and ever-expanding 650cc portfolio. If priced competitively and achieved manufacturing efficiency from their Indian facility, Honda can have a compelling twinner on their hands.
      What engine could the Honda GB500 be using?
      Smaller capacity Honda GB350 utilizes a single-cylinder, air-cooled engine. The larger GB500 won’t be adding any significant value if it too gets a single-cylinder setup. With a single-cylinder engine, the GB500 could deliver around 30 hp. In comparison, the GB350 produces 20 hp.
      Honda CB350 Classic Japan-Spec (GB350) – Puko Blue
      A gain of just around 10 hp may not be enough to motivate enthusiasts to upgrade to the larger capacity GB500. Due to these factors, it is possible that Honda GB500 could be getting a liquid-cooled engine, capable of generating upwards of 45 hp. Honda can either use the existing 500cc twin-cylinder engine or choose a newly developed engine for GB500.
      Existing Honda bikes such as the CMX 500 Rebel and CB500 models utilize a 471 cc, water-cooled, inline two-cylinder engine. It generates 47 hp at 8,500 rpm. From a cost perspective, using the existing 500cc twin engine seems more suitable. Models spawning from this platform might take CB500 name in markets like India.
      Specs, features and hardware
      Honda GB500 will be designed to comply with the A2 motorcycle licensing system in Europe. The bike might use a tubular steel frame, integrated with telescopic forks at front and dual rear shock absorbers. The bike will have disc brakes at both ends and dual-channel ABS will be offered as standard.
      Honda GB350 C for Japan is India-spec CB350
      Overall profile will be quite similar to the smaller capacity GB350 (CB350 in India). Some of the key highlights include circular headlamp and rear-view mirrors, curvy fuel tank and a single-piece seat. Similar to the GB350, the GB500 will have a comfortable riding stance.
      Honda GB500 launch date, pricing
      While Honda has registered GB500 in multiple markets, a launch is not happening anytime soon. A reasonable guess will be 2026. In terms of cost, Honda could choose a competitive pricing strategy for GB500. Something similar can already be seen with GB350 which is available in Europe at 4,490 euros (Rs 3.99 lakh).
      In India, the CB350 is available at a starting price of Rs 2 lakh (Ex-sh). Royal Enfield’s 650cc portfolio, on the other hand, starts from Rs 3.02 lakh (Ex-sh). More