Honda Bikes

Honda has chalked out aggressive plans for EV segment, with target to launch at least 10 new electric-two-wheelers by 2025Honda Electric Bike TeasersAs part of its program to achieve carbon neutrality, Honda will be stepping-up focus on introducing multiple electric two-wheelers as well as flex-fuel vehicles. Honda’s electric portfolio will include electric bikes, mopeds, commuters and more powerful, performance-oriented electric bikes.To expedite the process, Honda has teamed up with other companies such as Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha. The collaboration will entail development of standardized swappable battery architecture. Such collaborations will help reduce development and production cost, which will benefit all stakeholders and the entire electric two-wheeler ecosystem.Honda electric bike designBased on design sketch of Honda’s upcoming electric bike, it is evident that the brand’s signature styling will continue in electric segment. This is especially true for its performance-oriented electric bikes. The image of the bike was posted by the American division of Honda. Design language of the bike looks familiar to that of recently launched CB750 Hornet and CB300F.As compared to electric scooters that offer more freedom to experiment with the design, the choices are fairly limited in case of electric bikes. A major reason is placement of battery, which has to be centrally mounted. To ensure an optimal centre of gravity, the most suitable place is lower middle section. This is where ICE-based motorcycles have their engine. Most electric bikes follow the same approach and it continues with Honda’s upcoming electric bike.Honda Electric Motorcycle Design SketchWhile only the side view is visible in the sketch, the outline of a flat-type, aggressive front fascia can be seen. Other key features include low-set handlebar, USD front forks in golden finish, sculpted fuel tank, step-up seat, short tail section, alloy wheels, disc brakes at both ends and sporty graphics.Body panelling is closely knit and tightly packed, which helps ensure a compact look and feel for the bike. Covers for the battery and electric powertrain are done in metallic finish, which introduces another layer of aesthetic dynamism. As this is a design sketch, there are likely to be several iterations before the bike reaches production stage. Newer innovations in battery technology and linked hardware could also influence the final design of the bike.Honda electric two-wheeler for IndiaHonda’s Benly e: electric scooter has been spied on road tests multiple times. Either Benly e: could be launched in India or there could be an entirely new product. With Activa the current bestseller, Honda could introduce a similar product in electric format to target the mass market. In international markets, there are multiple versions of Benly e: electric scooter. The top-spec variant has a range of 87 km.Honda Electric Two Wheeler Launch PlanHonda electric scooter for India will have multiple challengers such as Ather 450X, TVS iQube, Ola S1 Pro and Bajaj Chetak. Ola especially is quite gung-ho, having announced its intention to beat Honda Activa sales by August 2023. Whether or not it materializes remains to be seen. More

As year-end arrives, Honda CB300F prices cut by Rs. 50,000 on its ex-sh price – This is likely to breathe new life into Honda’s 300cc lineupHonda CB300F Price Cut. Image – Auto Travel Tech.While the Indian automotive fraternity was expecting the launch of Forza 350 maxi scooter, we got the unexpected Honda CB300F. The motorcycle boasted a lightweight character which would result in peppy performance and a better power-to-weight ratio.Priced at Rs. 2.26 lakh for Deluxe variant and Rs. 2.29 lakh for Deluxe Pro variant, Honda CB300F prices seemed to be a downside for the motorcycle. Further hurting its image was the more powerful CB300R sold alongside it at Rs. 2.77 lakh (all prices ex-sh).Honda CB300F Price Cut By Rs 50KIt has come to light that dealers of the Japanese brand have slashed the ex-sh price of CB300F by Rs. 50,000 flat. As per dealer, this is part of Honda’s year-end offer for CB300F and takes the ex-sh price to around Rs. 1.75 lakh only. On-road price in Telangana state is around 2.10 lakh and in Karnataka state is around 2.2 lakh. In Chandigarh or Puducherry, on-road prices may be around Rs. 2 lakh.This seems to be a good deal for Honda fans looking to buy a 300cc motorcycle. With Rs. 50K slashed off its ex-sh price, Honda CB300F lends a whole new perspective towards it and sheds a different light on the product altogether.Honda CB300F Price CutAt first, an offer like this seemed too good to be true. Later, we confirmed the offer from multiple Honda Big Wing dealerships, including in cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru. At this price point, CB300F competes with 250cc street motorcycles like Bajaj Dominar 250 and Suzuki Gixxer 250 which are priced at Rs. 1.75 lakh and Rs. 1.77 lakh respectively (ex-sh).Motorcycles like KTM Duke 200 are pricier than the Honda CB300F with this revised pricing due to year-end offer. For the price, Honda CB300F offers gold USD forks at front and a copper-colored engine head and clutch cover. These elements up the premium quotient which Honda generally aims for.Features include HSTC (Honda Selectable Torque Control) which is basically a traction control system, dual-channel ABS, fully digital instrument console with adjustable brightness, smartphone connectivity via Bluetooth, full LED lighting all around, and the company boasts 10 patented tech on CB300F.Specs & FeaturesHonda CB300F gets a new 293 cc single-cylinder engine which gets a DOHC setup and a 4V head. It makes 23.8 bhp of power at 7,500 RPM and 25.6 Nm of torque at a low 5,500 RPM. This engine is mated with a 6-speed gearbox and comes with oil cooling and a slipper clutch.The main highlight of this motorcycle was its low 153 kg kerb weight. In comparison, a KTM Duke 200 weighs 159 kg and Gixxer 250 weighs 156 kg despite only getting a lighter and less complex SOHC setup. Honda CB300F prices slashed with a year-end offer seems to be the right time to buy it as this offer might end in 2022. More

Mechanically, 2023 Honda CRF300L is kept identical to outgoing model with 27.3 bhp and 26.6 Nm2023 Honda CRF300LIndia is a very important market for Honda when its grand scheme of things is considered. HMSI has revealed that India will soon be a manufacturing and export hub for the brand. When it comes to ADVs, a segment that is currently hot, Honda is not very active. At lower end, we have a pseudo-ADV, CB200X and at higher end, we have CB500X and Africa Twin.In the 300cc to 450cc segment, Honda currently has zero ADVs. This is the segment where most of the action lies. KTM 390 Adventure, Royal Enfield Himalayan and BMW G 310 GS are currently partying in this segment. Will Honda CRF300L MY2023 make it to India? There is a probability as it is already patented in India. Let’s take a look.2023 Honda CRF300L RefreshedFor starters, there is speculation in place that suggests that Honda is toying with the idea of bringing CRF300L to India. Fueling that rumour, Honda showcased it in one of its showrooms in India. This might be to gain customer feedback regarding the motorcycle. It was interesting that Honda had showcased it in one of its regular dealerships instead of BigWing premium dealerships.Honda CRF300L is a true blue off-roader. This is a far cry from the CB200X that Honda currently sells. Design-wise, Honda CRF300L refreshed for MY2023 comes with new black hand guards, which are offered as standard fitment on Swift Grey paint scheme. This new shade was not on offer before and is exclusive to MY2023.2023 Honda CRF300LThis colourway gets side body panels and subframe finished in white, while orange bits adorn its fuel tank. Purposeful headlight assembly and front beak get the base grey finish. Honda’s classic Extreme Red colour scheme with white and blue splashes is also present and gets red hand guards.MechanicalsHonda has made zilch changes to its mechanicals. There was no need for changes to begin with, as CRF300L was very well kitted out as far as off-roaders are concerned. It gets USD front forks and a rear monoshock, both offer 259 mm of travel. Braking hardware includes 256 mm disc up front and 220 mm at the rear.Due to its massive 284 mm of ground clearance, seat height is pegged at 881 mm. It gets spoked wheels at both ends wrapped with 80/100-21 front tyre and 120/80-18 at the rear. 2023 Honda CRF300L continues to get a 296cc liquid-cooled engine that makes 27.3 bhp and 26.6 Nm.This is plenty of performance when its 140 kg kerb weight is brought into picture. For reference, Hero Xpulse 200 weighs 158 kgs and only makes 18.8 bhp and 17.35 Nm. If launched in India, it will compete against true blue off-roaders like the current Himalayan and Yezdi Adventure. Along with it, the upcoming Himalayan 450, 2023 KTM 390 Enduro, 390 Adventure, Xpulse 300+ and more. Pricing will be at premium end, though. More

Design patents for 125cc NS125LA and 150cc Winner X are most likely aimed at protecting Honda’s intellectual property in Indian marketHonda Winner 150ccHonda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) recently got the design patents for NS125LA and Winner X scooters in India. These scooters are available for sale in international markets and are positioned as commuter bikes.While 125cc NS125LA scooter is exclusively meant for Chinese market, the 150cc Winner X underbone scooter is sold in Asian markets such as Malaysia and Indonesia. Winner X is sold as Supra GTR in Indonesia, whereas in Malaysia, it is named RS150R/RS-X.Honda NS125LA, Winner XHonda NS125LA has a classic, retro design with round headlamp and smooth, curvy body panelling. Its attractive, laidback design, coupled with a range of utilitarian features, makes it suitable for all age groups. The scooter is powered by a 124.9cc air-cooled motor that generates 8.97 hp of max power and 9.87 Nm of peak torque. This is a different engine, as compared to the one used with Activa 125.Honda Winner X blends in the best of both worlds, the speed and agility of a motorcycle and comfort and practicality associated with a scooter. Winner X was launched in 2016 and has received multiple updates over the years. It is powered by a 150cc motor that generates 15.6 hp and 13.5 Nm. It is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Some key features of Honda Winner X include full digital display, keyless operation, all-LED lighting and USB charging port.Honda NS125LA patented in IndiaIndia launch plans?It does not appear that Honda is planning to launch NS125LA and Winner X in Indian market. Design patents may just be a proactive move on part of the company to secure its intellectual property in the country. NS125LA, in particular, has a fairly unique and attractive design. There could be a possibility that its design or part of it may be copied.Honda Winner X patented in IndiaWhile established OEMs may not be a suspect, there could be a threat of design infringement from emerging players in Indian two-wheeler segment. It especially concerns the EV segment, where new electric scooters are being launched at regular intervals. Honda itself may have plans to use the design of NS125LA for one of its products in future. There could be several other possibilities, which is where the design patents come into play.In its current form, the NS125LA scooter does not even meet the BS6 emission standards. It works in China, as emission norms there are relatively less strict. In case of 150cc Winner X, the scooter does not suit Indian consumer preferences. There’s hardly any demand for geared underbone scooters in the country. All these factors indicate that Honda NS125LA and Winner X are unlikely to be launched in India.Honda Winner X patented in IndiaHonda has different plans for India, one of which is an entry-level 100cc commuter bike. It will primarily rival Hero Splendor and HF Deluxe. Honda is also working to launch its first electric two-wheeler in India. While Benly e: electric scooter has been spotted on road tests multiple times, Honda could introduce an entirely new product. Launch is expected in 2023. More

At EICMA Show, Honda CL500 Scrambler, Rebel CMX1100T, Transalp ADV and EM1 electric scooter have been unveiledImage – MotofichasThe first patent drawings for 500cc scrambler from Honda had been leaked earlier this year. Since then, there were a lot of rumours that revolved around the possible launch of Honda CL500 Scrambler. Dated March 2018, these patents show a scrambler-like motorcycle based on Rebel 500’s engine and body.Honda at EICMA 2022 showcased CL500 and CMX1100T. They also had on display – Transalp ADV based on Hornet 750 and EM1 electric scooter with a swappable battery.Honda CL500 Scrambler, Rebel CMX1100T RevealedHonda CL500 Scrambler is based on Rebel 500 cruiser motorcycle. It gets the same engine that also does duties on Honda’s other 500cc lineup like CB500X ADV, CBR500R sports bike, Rebel 500 cruiser and CB500F street bike that was recently displayed at a BigWing dealership in Bengaluru.Specs-wise, Honda CL500 Scrambler falls in the same ballpark as its other 500cc siblings. That said, there are some glaring omissions on CL500 that other 500cc siblings have recently received. Equipment like Showa SFF-BP USD front forks and dual front disc brake setup that CB500F, CB500X received in 2022.[embedded content][embedded content]What it does get are 41mm telescopic front forks with 150mm travel and twin shock absorbers at the rear with 145mm travel. To boost its Scrambler appeal, it gets 19” front and 17” rear wheels shod with Dunlop Mixtour tyres that have a block-pattern design. It would have been better if they were wire-spoke wheels, but that is not the case. Fork gaiters, LED lighting, dual-channel ABS, high-mounted exhaust, and a fully digital instrument cluster are on offer.Due to its 790mm seat height, ground clearance is limited to 155mm. This should be good for some mild off-roading. Honda has extracted 46.6 bhp of power and 43.4 Nm of torque from its 471cc parallel-twin engine. These figures are slightly different to other 500cc bikes in Honda’s stables and is tuned for bottom-end torque.Rebel CMX1100T TourerThe biggest off Rebel range is now offered with a touring variant named CMX1100T. Yes, the ‘T’ in the name denotes Touring. Most of the bike is identical to their non-touring version. This is not a bad thing as it shares its 1,084cc engine with the Honda Africa Twin. Honda has added touring capabilities and hence the suffix ‘T’.Honda CMX1100TIt now gets panniers at either side that boast 32L in total luggage carrying capacity. Even though bigger tourers in Honda lineup like Goldwing offer a lot more, it is good enough. Aiding touring abilities is a batwing-shaped fairing that should offer a lot of wind protection to the rider’s torso. There is no official information regarding the launch of these motorcycles in India. More

Honda’s first two-wheeler EV for Europe, EM1 e: electric scooter is planned for launch in summer of 2023New Honda EM1 Electric ScooterWhile its ICE-based two-wheelers continue to generate majority of sales, Honda is stepping-up focus in EV space as well. Honda has plans to introduce at least 10 electric two-wheelers globally by 2025. One of these is EM1 e: electric scooter, which has been unveiled at ongoing EICMA 2022.EM1 is essentially short for Electric Moped and the e: suffix denotes Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP). MPP platform comprises removable battery packs and battery swapping stations, which will work as the core infrastructure for Honda’s upcoming electric two-wheelers. Honda is focusing on relatively smaller battery packs for its entry-level EVs. These are easy to use and offer adequate range for daily commutes and everyday city sprints.Honda EM1 e: featuresWith its compact, trendy profile, Honda EM1 e: electric scooter will primarily target younger audiences. The scooter has curvy body panels with smooth edges, which ensure a refined look and feel. It is clearly built for utilitarian purposes, as the scooter does not have any radical or ostentatious design elements. Some of the key features include apron-mounted LED headlamp, sleek instrument cowl and round rear view mirrors.With its flat floorboard, front and underseat storage space and dedicated rear rack, Honda EM1 e: electric scooter can carry quite a bit of load. The single-piece seat looks comfy and there are foldable foot pegs located on the side panels. The battery pack is located under the seat and is a removable unit. The floorboard panel is pretty thick and is likely to be holding the battery management system and other related components.[embedded content][embedded content]Honda EM1 e: range, specsHonda EM1 e: electric scooter range is over 40 km. While this number seems a bit low, it has been purposefully kept that way to reduce battery cost. Moreover, Honda will be building its battery swapping infrastructure for taking care of range anxiety. From the images, it appears that Honda EM1 e: is equipped with a hub-mounted motor. Details about the motor and battery capacity are not available at this point of time.Honda Mobile Power Pack e: has been developed with a strong focus on quality, reliability and durability. It has been tested for a variety of conditions such as humidity, varying temperatures, impact and vibrations. Apart from using swapping stations, users can also charge the battery in the comfort of their home.Hardware list is pretty basic such as telescopic front fork and dual rear shock absorbers. While other details have not been officially revealed, Honda EM1 e: electric scooter appears to be using a 12-inch front and 10-inch rear wheel.Honda EM1 e: electric scooter is confirmed for Europe, but there’s no clarity about its launch in India. Honda had earlier stated that its first electric two-wheeler for India will be an e-moped with top speed of around 50 kmph. It is planned for launch in April 2023. Later, a high-speed electric two-wheeler will also be launched in India. More

Honda CB500F will share most of its mechanicals with 2022 CB500X which got dual disc front brake, USD fork, lighter swingarm and moreHonda CB500F at a Bigwing showroom in BangaloreA Formidable machine, is what Honda called its CB300F. It was launched in August 2022 and is kept exclusive to Honda’s BigWing dealerships. When compared to similarly priced motorcycles, it falls short on paper.Sitting above the CB300F is the CB500X, which is a 500cc ADV. Even though it is a potent machine, sales have not been great. If we take sales in 200cc to 500cc segment, Honda only sold one unit of CB500X from April 2022 to August 2022. Honda seems to be getting ready to launch another 500cc motorcycle in their arsenal soon.Honda CB500F Spotted At DealershipSpotted at a BigWing dealership in Bengaluru, Honda’s new street fighter is likely to launch soon. The showcase before launch is likely to be a measured step in the direction of gaining customer feedback. This way, Honda can analyse the amount of interest that this motorcycle garners.Honda has used this strategy before and showcased Forza 300 Maxi scooter and even a Honda CRF300L. It is yet to be seen if Honda CB500F will materialise and launch in India. What does it offer, if it does launch?New Honda CB500FHonda CB500F gets sharper styling in terms of its fuel tank, tank shrouds, slightly taller rear stepped seat, integrated rear grab rail, chunkier exhaust, dual front disc for better braking, fatter rubber, and twin exhaust headers.Specs & FeaturesSticking to its F family lineup, Honda CB500F is a lot subdued in design. Especially when compared to other 500cc parallel twin motorcycles like Leoncino, 502C and TRK from Benelli. Honda takes a safer approach to styling and offers an everyday street bike.CB500F will be powered by the same 471cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine that also does duties on CB500X. With 46 bhp of power at 8,600 RPM and 43 Nm of torque at 6,500 RPM on tap, Honda CB500F doesn’t seem to be at the edge of its performance cliff.Cycle parts include front USD forks from Showa. These are 41mm SFF-BP (Separate Function Fork Big Piston) and are finished in gold shade. Rear gets a monoshock unit. Earlier CB500F used to get a single disc at the front which is now replaced with a twin disc setup. Details about its launch and pricing are expected to be revealed soon.Image Source More