Honda Bikes

Honda Dio Repsol Edition
The Honda Dio limited edition inspired by Repsol Honda racing team gets orange coloured graphics and designs with orange wheel rims

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. has launched two special editions with which it seeks to attract a younger and more race oriented segment of buyers in the country. The company has unveiled Repsol Honda editions of Hornet 2.0 motorcycle and Dio scooter for racing aficionados in India. Both are limited edition models and priced at a premium over their regular counterparts.
Honda Dio Repsol Edition
With the tag line ‘Keep Dioing It” the Honda Dio gets a sporty and aggressive design with race inspired graphics from the Honda Repsol team’s MotoGP bike RC 213V across its front and rear body while it sits on Repsol Honda orange coloured alloy wheels. The Repsol badging can be seen on its front apron, side panels and on its tail gate.
Apart from these stickers and Repsol Tri-Colour Theme of Red/White/Orange, the Dio Repsol edition is identical to the Standard and Deluxe variants of the scooter BS6 model which was launched earlier this year. It sports a stylish muffler protector and split grab handles while key highlights include LED headlamp, all digital console, combi braking system, tubeless tyres and a wide seat.
The Honda Dio measures 1,808mm in length, 723mm in width and 1,150mm in height with a wheelbase of 1,260, ground clearance at 160mm and kerb weight of 103 kgs. Seat length is at 640mm and fuel tank is of 5.3 liter capacity. Take a look at the official TVC of Honda DIO Repsol edition, featuring Marc Marquez.
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The BS6 compliant Honda Dio scooter is powered by a 109.9cc, fuel injected, PGM-FI HET (Honda Eco Technology) engine that makes 7.65 hp power at 8,000 rpm and 9 Nm torque at 4,750 rpm. It gets telescopic forks in the front and 10 inch monoshock at the rear. The scooter gets a 3 step Eco Indicator on its instrument cluster that relates to better fuel efficiency.
The Honda Dio Repsol Edition is priced at Rs.69,757, which is a premium of Rs.2,500 over the Deluxe variant. Bookings have opened for this limited edition scooter while deliveries are set to commence soon.
Honda Dio Repsol Edition Specs
Honda Dio Sales
Honda Dio has been consistent in terms of sales and has regularly found a spot on the list of 10 best selling scooters in the country month after month. The BS6 variant was introduced earlier this year and received several feature and technology updates.
In October 2020, Honda Dio sales grew by 19.24 percent to 44,046 units, up from 36,939 units sold in the same month of the previous year with volume gain of 7,107 units. Dio is not only one of the highest selling scooters in the country but also the No.1 exported scooter from India. More

2021 Honda CB 150R
2021 Honda CBR150R is not likely to arrive in India anytime soon

Honda has launched its entry-level faired motorcycle CBR150R in Thailand. The updated fully faired sports bike comes with new paint scheme options. Other than added colour schemes there are no other changes brought by the Japanese brand. Earlier, it was speculated that the bike would get USD front fork suspension units which didn’t happen.
New Colours on offer
The latest iteration of CBR150R is offered in four dual-tone colour options which include Matte Black with Red, Grey with Red, Red with Black and Black with Orange. Out of the four colour combinations, Grey with Red comes with the most funky-looking body graphics and decals.
Overall Design & Hardware
This said colour comes with a red front wheel, red underbelly cowl and sporty graphics with a hint of yellow. The overall design and colour schemes of CBR150R have been inspired by higher CBR models such as CBR650R and CBR1000RR-R.
It continues to exhibit its signature dual-LED headlamps which are integrated with eye-grabbing LED DRLs. The bike gets low-set clip-on handlebars which demand an aggressive lean forward position accompanied by the rear-set footpegs.

The sculpted fuel tank, fairing-mounted rear-view mirrors, split-style seats and a high-rise tail section enhance the bike’s sporty appeal. The contrasting exhaust canister tip also accentuates the sporty look. Coming to its hardware, suspension duties on the bike is handled by telescopic forks at front and a rear mono-shock. Braking duties are taken care of by petal-type disc brakes on both wheels.
Powertrain Specs
In terms of its powertrains, the latest version of CBR150R derives its power from a 149cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine which comes with a DOHC setup and four valves. The motor kicks out a power of 17.1 PS at 9000 rpm and a peak torque of 14.4 Nm at 7000 rpm. This unit comes equipped with Honda’s PGM-Fi fuel-injection system and eSP technology. Transmission is carried out by a six-speed gearbox as standard.

The new 2021 Honda CBR150R has been priced at THB 99,700 which roughly translates to INR 2.43 lakh. The bike is very popular especially in South East Asian countries although it is unlikely to launch in India anytime soon. It directly locks horns with Yamaha R15.
Honda is rather looking to introduce the updated 2021 CB300R in India which is expected to launch sometime early next year. The naked streetfighter got discontinued earlier this year and is expected to make a return in its updated BS6 complaint form soon. The bike is likely to be brought via the CKD route and is expected to cost around Rs 2.50 lakh (ex-showroom, India). More

Image for reference. Credit – RNickeyMouse
Honda is developing a new technology where it can take input from the rider’s brain and enhance the safety systems

While riding a motorcycle one would have wished at least once in life that the two-wheeler could perform the intended actions after reading what’s on the rider’s mind. This would reduce a rider’s effort in stiff riding conditions and make up for a pleasant experience. Sounds too good to be true? Not really!
Apparently, Honda is developing a brain-wave-detection system that would help future motorcycles know their riders’ thoughts and intentions. Patent images regarding the same have surfaced online which are part of the patent application filed by Honda’s Los Angeles based R&D facility at the US Patent and Trademark Office.

What is this technology?
The basic idea behind this technology is to assist the onboard safety system which can ensure that the bike does what the rider wants even when his/her actions may not be accurate. In simple words, this technology would allow a rider to connect to his/her motorcycle telepathically via electrodes attached to one’s helmet that would send signals to a computer which Honda calls BMI or “Brain-Machine Interface“.

The brain wave signals are then interpreted by BMI and sent to the corresponding part of the bike. The bike is equipped with a suite of electronic rider aids present in most modern premium bikes such as accelerometers, IMU (computing lean, yaw, and pitch and other dynamics of motorcycles), electronic throttle, ABS, traction control and more.

The only additional functionality will be a sensor measuring steering angle and an actuator to move the steering in case input is not enough from the rider’s side and electronic intervention is required.

In what ways could it help a rider?
Interestingly, the images shared shows examples of riders pulling out dangerous stunts like wheelie and stoppie using a rider’s imagination. The system assists the rider to carry out the stunts by taking control over various aspects of the motorcycle. The one problem here though is that even if one knows the theory of pulling out a perfect wheelie or stoppie it would take a lot of experience to do it cleanly in practice.

More importantly, BMI could act as electronic assistance to less experienced riders and help avoid serious accidents due to lack of experience. Furthermore, as per the text provided by the company with the patent filings, BMI can also adapt to an individual’s skill level and accordingly modulate its assistance depending on the rider’s experience. If Honda does manage to pull this off, it could potentially lead to a new revolution in automotive technology.

Prospects of this technology reaching future?
Since it is a patent filing it is safe to say it would take at least a few years for something of this sort to actually materialise and reach production. The cost behind developing such a technology would also be monumental and puts a doubt whether this would be feasible for production models in near future.

Honda is also working on many other tech for motorcycle riders, that will eventually help in reducing crash / accidents. This includes their prototype from 2017, when the Japanese auto major presented a self-balancing bike that could stand upright without the assistance of a rider. More

New Honda Activa 6G 20th Anniversary Edition
Activa has once again been the best selling Honda two wheeler in India

In line with industry trends, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has registered positive YoY growth in November. A total of 4,12,641 units were sold in the domestic market, which is YoY gain of 10.54%. Sales during the corresponding period last year stood at 3,73,283 units. However, MoM sales have turned negative at -16.55%. Sales during October 2020 were 4,94,459 units.
MoM de-growth in November is not surprising, since this has been the usual trend in post festive period. Two wheeler sales usually attain their peak during the festive season and tend to dip in the subsequent period.
Honda two wheeler exports
Honda exported a total of 20,565 units in November, which is YoY de-growth of -11.04%. Exports during the corresponding period last year stood at 23,116 units. MoM de-growth is much higher at -37.15%, as compared to 32,721 units exported in October 2020.
Honda total sales (domestic + exports) were 4,33,206 units in November, which is YoY gain of 9.29%. Total sales during the same period last year were 3,96,399 units. In terms of MoM growth, total sales are down by -17.83%. Total sales in October 2020 were 5,27,180 units. If we add the sales numbers of October and November, Honda’s festive sales have crossed the one million milestone.
Honda Two Wheeler Sales Nov 2020 vs Nov 2019 (YoY) vs Oct 2020 (MoM)
Honda domestic and international bestsellers
Honda is currently the second largest two wheeler manufacturer in India, trailing behind Hero MotoCorp while ahead of TVS, Bajaj and others. In the domestic market, the company’s bread and butter is the popular Active scooter. Lifetime sales of Activa over the last two decades have already crossed the 20 million mark.
The company recently launched a special 20th anniversary edition Activa 6G to celebrate its success. It came with cosmetic enhancements such as a new Matte Mature Brown colour, golden strips, and gold embossed ‘Activa’ logo.
Other Honda bestsellers in the domestic market include CB Shine, Dio, Unicorn 160, Dream, Livo, Grazia and Hornet 2.0. Recently launched Honda H’ness CB350 has also been receiving a lot of attention and appreciation from bike enthusiasts. CB350 goes up against rivals such as Classic 350, Meteor 350, Jawa and Benelli Imperiale 400. Honda is currently expanding its Big Wing dealer network, something that is expected to boost sales of CB350 and other premium bikes.
Talking about exports, Honda’s bestsellers include Navi, Dio, CB Shine, Hornet 160R, X-Blade, Grazia and Unicorn 160. The company is currently the top scooter exporter from India, made possible largely by consistent demand for Dio. Earlier this year, Honda achieved the milestone of exporting more than 2.5 million two-wheelers. The company’s products are shipped to several countries across Middle East, Asia and Latin America. More

Image for reference
Goldwing sits on top of the line in Honda’s BigWing offerings in India

Whenever one thinks of a big and brawny bike, Honda Goldwing will surely be one of the first to pop up in one’s head. The bike is huge and has a road presence no less than an SUV. Being a premium bike of a reputed global brand, the motorcycle comes with tons of gizmos on offer.
However, the bike misses out on one feature which is still very novel in two-wheelers- adaptive cruise control. Recent introductions of radar-based tech on the brand new Ducati Multistrada V4 and BMW R1250RT have made Honda rethink and the company is now contemplating on adding this technology to its flagship offering.
2021 Honda Goldwing With Radar Tech
Patent images of Goldwing suggest that Honda is working on incorporating a radar-assisted sensor technology on its premium cruiser. This radar-based sensor will most likely be used to offer features such as adaptive cruise control and other safety and convenience systems. While radar-assisted cruise control is a familiar feature in premium cars, it is still a very nascent technology in motorcycles.
Where could the sensors be mounted?
Recent images are proof that Honda idly patenting technology which it isn’t going to use. However, the images do suggest the challenges for the Japanese brand as far as placing the radar on the bike. Going by the images, the radar sensor could be located in the middle of Goldwing’s massive headlamps. It needs to be kept in mind that radar sensors can see through some materials like plastic, however, the surface needs to be flat and smooth so that it doesn’t intervene with the radar waves.

Fortunately for Honda, the space between Goldwing’s headlights is fairly uncluttered and flat and it intends to place the radar just behind the panel. This would make it invisible in plain sight thus not compromising on the bike’s looks. Honda also plans to bridge the gap between the radar sensor and bodywork by using a sponge-type material in order to prevent vibrations from fairing to reach the radar sensor and affecting its efficacy.
The technology used in radar sensors in Ducati Multistrada V4 and upcoming BMW Motorrad bikes has been jointly developed by the respective manufacturers and German brand Bosch. Similar systems are also developed by Kawasaki and KTM in association with Bosch and are expected to be introduced in future. In all probability, Honda would too source its technology from Bosch. Honda also deals with the German electronic giant which supplies radar sensors for some of its cars to the Japanese automaker.

When can we expect it?
The latest iteration of Multistrada V4 also comes with a rear radar system that offers safety features such as Blind Spot Monitoring. Although, the patent images of Goldwing do not indicate a similar feature onboard.
As of now, there has been no official word from Honda regarding this technology and when will it actually be available on the cruiser. However, if the company uses a radar sensor technology sourced from Bosch which would not require additional development, we might see this feature in production-spec models by 2022.
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Honda Activa 6G
Honda two wheeler sales stability secures its podium spot in the domestic market

October 2020 domestic sales for HMSI ended at 1.38 percent growth, up at 4,94,459 units from 4,87,713 units at volume gain of 6,746 units. As expected, Honda Activa leads the charge with 2,39,570 units reported at 48.45 percent of total sales.
Sales did decline by 14.83 percent, at volume loss of 41,703 units, down from 2,81,273 units. CB Shine, the manufacturer’s bestselling motorcycle saw an improvement in demand. Sales growth is reported at 35.12 percent to enable the bike to account for 23.98 percent of total sales. Sales grew to 1,18,547 units at volume growth of 30,813 units from 87,734 units.
Honda Two Wheeler Domestic Sales Oct 2020
Honda Dio sales grew at 19.24 percent up at 44,046 units, up at 7,107 units from 36,939 units. Honda Unicorn 160 sales is reported at 28,313 units at 5.73 percent of total sales. Dream sales grew a noticeable 14.53 percent, up at 22,542 units from 19,682 units. Livo sales is in the green at 17,198 units, up at 20.20 percent from 14,308 units. Grazia sales crossed the 10k mark and accounted for 2.32 percent of domestic sales.
At 11,481 units sold, up 36.45 percent from 8,414 units, volume gain stood at 3,067 units. Hornet 2.0 sales is reported at 7,279 units. X-Blade sales grew to 4,193 units, up from 3,062 units, accounting for .85 percent of total sales.
No
Honda Domestic
Oct-20
Oct-19
1
Activa
2,39,570
2,81,273
2
CB Shine
1,18,547
87,734
3
Dio
44,046
36,939
4
Unicorn 160
28,313
0
5
Dream
22,542
19,682
6
Livo
17,198
14,308
7
Grazia
11,481
8,414
8
Hornet 2.0
7,279
0
9
X-Blade
4,193
3,062
10
CB350
1,290
0
11
Aviator
0
4,374
12
Unicorn 150
0
27,477
13
Hornet 160R
0
4,442
14
CBR250R
0
8
–
Total
4,94,459
4,87,713
All new Honda CB350, a new segment entrant for the manufacturer saw sales of 1,290 units. Popular names like Aviator, Unicorn 150, Hornet 160R, and CBR250R are not being sold. Despite sales contraction owing to portfolio revision, HMSI did manage to stay in the green.
HMSI October 2020 exports
Honda exports grew marginally at 8.88 percent at volume gain of 2,665 units. Total exports last month was reported at 32,691 units, up from 30,026 units. Honda Navi, no longer sold in India leads the export count at 9,872 units. In fact it accounted for 30.20 percent of the manufacturer’s exports last month. Navi units exported grew 188.32 percent, up from 3,424 units at volume gain of 6,448 units.
Honda Two Wheeler Exports Oct 2020
Honda Dio exports declined by 32.85 percent. At second spot on the list, exports are reported at 6,121 units following volume loss of 2,995 units, down from 9,116 units. CB Shine numbers declined too. Exports fell to 3,735 units from 4,740 units at 21.20 percent decline. Hornet 160R exports grew 33.30 percent. Exports grew to 3,539 units, up from 2,655 units, accounting 10.83 percent of HMSI exports.
X-Blade units exported were almost similar at 3,529 units. However, growth was much higher at 105.06 percent from a low base of 1,721 units reported in October 2019. Volume growth stood at 1,808 units. Grazia exports grew to 3,401 units from 2,984 units at 13.97 percent growth. Unicorn 160 exports doubled from 648 units to 1,296 units.
Honda Activa exports in October 2020
Activa, a mainstay in India finds little demand elsewhere. Exports are at a mere 468 units, down 34.27 percent from 712 units. Dream export decline stood at 84.87 percent, having contracted to 240 units from 1,586 units. Livo met the same fate as numbers contracted to 200 units from 1,400. Unicorn 150 exports are reported at 160 units. CB Twister numbers fell to 130 units from 390 units having contracted by two-third. More

Honda CB350
First batch of the Honda CB350 motorcycles has been exported from India

Launched in September, Honda H’Ness CB350 is the newest rival to challenge the supremacy of Royal Enfield Classic 350. CB350 will also compete with Meteor 350, which is the first of Royal Enfield’s next-gen products. While CB350 has potential and has received appreciation from varied quarters, Classic 350 continues to lead in terms of sales volumes.
Honda CB350 October exports
CB350 is Honda’s first product that has been developed from scratch in India and will be exported to global markets. Initially, however, Honda will be focusing more on meeting demand in domestic market. In its first month, Honda exported 30 units of CB350. In comparison, Classic 350 exports in October were 906 units. While there’s a huge difference, the gap may reduce in the coming months.
Honda is currently working to streamline CB350’s sales and marketing at global locations. It’s an entirely new product and will take some time to gain acceptance among the target audience. In the coming months, production of CB350 could also be increased based on the demand situation. Honda has a much wider global network as compared to Royal Enfield, so CB350 could have the advantage in global markets.
In the domestic market, CB350 sales in October stood at 1,290 units. Total production was at 2,420 units. These are decent numbers in this segment, even though it may not be comparable to that of Classic 350. Domestic sales of Classic 350 were 41,953 units. An achievement for CB350 is that it has entered the top ten list of bestselling 200-500 cc motorcycles. In October, it was placed at ninth place.
Image for reference
Honda CB350 future outlook
As far as October sales are concerned, CB350 doesn’t seem to have caused any erosion in Classic 350 sales numbers. Classic 350 has posted positive YoY and MoM growth in October, which is evidence that it continues to dominate this space.
Even though CB350 is a direct rival, it appears that it is creating its own unique customer base rather than poaching potential customers of Classic 350. There may also be many bike enthusiasts who may have purchased CB350 just to experience something entirely new in this space.
So, will Honda CB350 be another product that bites the dust against the might of Classic 350? Well, that’s tough to answer as it’s too early to speculate on such aspects. While CB350 is a well-equipped and good looking motorcycle, it is currently available only through Honda Big Wing dealerships. That itself is a major constraint in boosting sale volumes.
Another thing is that Royal Enfield motorcycles are all about pride, prestige and power, which are definitely missing with CB350. At this point of time, possibilities for CB350 would be to focus on creating its own niche customer base and probably target exports more aggressively. More