Honda Bikes

Honda CB350RS Teaser
Honda CB350 achieves 10k sales milestone – It comes just days before the launch of new variant of the classic roadster

Honda took its own sweet time to establish a proper presence in India’s medium displacement segment with a market-specific product. However, things are now moving at a brisk pace. The Honda CB350 retro classic roadster surpassed 10,000 unit milestone in a relatively short period even with limited number of BigWing outlets across the country. The milestone achievement comes just days ahead of the planned variant extension.
Honda CB350 sales
Since 21st October 2020 when the deliveries commenced, the CB350 has managed to clock 10,000 unit sales in just 3 months. Speaking about the motorcycle, Mr. Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Director – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd., revealed that there are order backlogs in several cities and the company is working at the backend to reduce the waiting period. He also added that Honda is in the process of expanding its BigWing premium motorcycle dealership network to more cities in the months to come.
While the sales figure is no where near what its primary rival, Royal Enfield Classic, has been managing on a monthly basis despite being at the end of its life cycle, the CB350 is certainly a bright prospect for Honda.
Honda CB350 RS launching soon
Honda recently teased what looks like a cafe racer variant of the CB350 which is to be launched in India on 16th of February. We learnt that the new motorcycle will be called the Honda CB350 RS. From what is already revealed, the new variant’s styling is in-line with the Japanese brand’s RS lineup of retro-classic motorcycles.
New Teaser of the Honda CB350RS reveals LED tail light, turn indicators, and yellow colour on fuel tank
The CB350 RS will be a sportier alternative to the regular model with black accents replacing chrome treatments, and a new taillight and empennage. We can also expect different colour themes and a slightly tweaked riding position (read new handlebars) to further differentiate it from regular CB350.
As far as specifications are concerned, we don’t expect to see any drastic changes. The 348 cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine developed specifically for our market will continue to power the motorcycle. In its current guise, the motor is good for 21 hp and 30 Nm of torque, and comes paired with a 5-speed transmission. We expect the Honda CB350 RS to have identical performance figures.
Outlook
The launch of new variant, increment in production capacity and expansion of BigWing dealership network would bring in significant incremental sales for Honda’s neo-classic platform. Given the popularity, we expect the company to dish out interesting variant extensions like cafe racer, scrambler, special editions, etc., at regular intervals.
With Royal Enfield gearing up to overhaul its widely acclaimed 350 cc portfolio with new exciting products, the competition in this space is set to get very intense in the short term. It is all good news for prospective customers. More

Image – Ayush SSM
Honda 2Wheelers India registered Double Digit growth in domestic markets in January 2021 – spurred by sales of the Activa Scooter

Honda 2Wheelers India has released their sales figures for Jan 2021. It may be noted that sales in domestic markets have increased 11.39 percent but exports dipped 30.13 percent. Total domestic sales in the past month had stood at 4,16,716 units, up 42,602 units as against 3,74,114 units sold in Jan 20. Exports on the other hand fell 8,825 units down to 20,467 units in Jan 21 as compared to 29,292 units exported in the same month of the previous year.
Honda 2Wheeler MoM Sales
Taking into account month on month sales, Honda also experienced positive domestic sales growth but lower exports. In December 20, domestic sales had stood at 2,42,046 units which increased by 1,74,670 units to 4,16,716 units in Jan 21, a percentage growth of 72.16.
Exports on the other hand fell marginally by 2.45 percent to 20,467 units in the past month as against 20,981 units sold in Dec 20. It was its outstanding performance in domestic markets that took MoM sales to 4,37,183 units in Jan 21, up 66.21 percent as against 2,63,027 units in Dec 20.
Major Contributors to Honda 2Wheeler Sales
The Honda Activa scooter was the best selling scooter not only for the company but is also India’s No.1 selling scooter brand. It has achieved the 2.5 crore unit mark and is the only scooter brand in India to achieve this target.
Honda 2Wheeler Sales Jan 2021
In January, Honda 2Wheeler India also introduced two new models – 2021 Africa Twin Adventure Sports and the Grazia Sports Edition. The Adventure Sports motorcycle is only retailed via the company’s premium BigWing Topline outlets and is priced at Rs.19.96 lakhs. It is presented in colour options of Darkness Black Metallic and Pearl Glare White Tricolour. The Grazia Sports Edition is a gearless scooter and offered in two colours of Pearl Nightstar Black and Sports Red and is priced at Rs.83,140.
In Jan 21, Honda also inaugurated 3 new BigWing showrooms in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Ludhiana. This takes total to 5 Honda BigWing Topline for the company range of premium motorcycles starting 300cc and 15 Honda BigWing Outlets via which the company sells its 300-500cc mid-size premium motorcycle range.
The company also recently patented the 2021 Honda Grom 125 in India though there are no indications on if and when it will be launched in the country. In addition, they have also teased their upcoming new motorcycle, based on the CB350. It will launch on 16th Feb.
Increased Sales Expectations
With easing of lockdown regulations and schools, colleges and offices opening up and with the urgent need for personal means of transport, the company expects to see increase in sales. A new scrappage policy, as was announced in the Union Budget, is also set to come into effect which will further boost sales. More

2021 Honda Activa 6G
Honda reports growth in domestic dispatches and decline in Exports for December 2020

Domestic wholesales for Honda two wheelers through December 2020 was in the green. As is customary, Honda Activa sales soared at top spot accounting for 55 percent of total company wholesales.
The scooter has immense brand recall having been around for over two decades, and is a worthy competitor in the top tier of two wheelers by sales volume. Volumes grew by 1.65 percent up at 1,34,077 units from 1,31,899 units at volume gain of 2,178 units.
CB Shine, the manufacturer’s bestselling motorcycle saw growth of 9.67 percent, and accounted for 23.14 percent of total wholesales. Volume grew to 56k units, up from about 51k at volume gain of just under 5k units. Dio scooter sales amounted to just over 22k units. Growth is reported at 7.36 percent, up from 20,516 units at volume gain of just over 1,500 units accounting for 9.10 percent of Honda’s domestic market.
Smaller volume Honda two-wheelers
Unicorn 160 units were reported at just under 12k units, accounting for under 5 percent share. Honda Dream wholesales were adjust under 5k units. Decline is reported at 35.63 percent, down from 7,755 units. Volumes fell by 2,763 units. Livo wholesales fell by 39.15 percent at volume loss of just over 2.8k units. Sales fell to 4,387 units, down from 7,2019 units.
Honda India Sales Dec 2020
Honda Grazia volumes grew 7.52 percent, up at 3,347 units from 3,113 units. Hornet 2.0 wholesales is reported at 2,457 units. Honda CB 350 numbers are reported at 1,564 units. X-Blade decline is reported at 20.15 percent at volume loss of 302 units. Wholesales dropped to 1,197 units from 1,499 units. Total domestic wholesales was reported at 2,41,046 units at 5.15 percent growth from 2,30,186 units. Volume gain stood at 11,860 units.
Honda exports for December 2020
In comparison to Honda’s domestic sales volume, exports are relatively smaller. Last month exports totalled 20,980 units at 16.37 percent decline. Volumes fell from 25,086 units at volume loss of 4,106 units.
Navi took the lead at the top of the table at 6,187 units. accounting for 29.49 percent of company exports. Volumes grew by 4,227 units from 1,960 units. Dio exports fell by over 7k units at 66.53 percent decline. Number fell to 3,532 units from 10,554 units. CB Shine growth is reported at 47.55 percent at 12.22 percent of total exports. Volumes grew to 2,563 units from 1,737 units.
Honda India Exports Dec 2020
X-Blade exports fell by 22.55 percent down at 1,896 units from 2,448 units. Livo growth is reported at 6.25 percent. Numbers grew to 1.7k from 1.6k units. Hornet 160R exports fell by almost a third down at 1,368 units from 2,035 units.
Dream exports fell by a little over a third at 996 units. Activa numbers are reported at 780 units. Grazia numbers fell by a third, down to 520 units from 784 units. Honda CB 350 exports stood at 510 units, and Aviator at 440. Unicorn 160 fared better then the 150cc variant at 408 units. Volumes almost halved, down from 768 units. Unicorn 150 exports fell with a thud at 80 units, down from 640 units. More

2021 Honda GB350
In spite of importing the CB 350 from India as a CBU, the Japan price of the motorcycle is lower than the one on sale in India

After its unveil earlier this month, Honda CB350 has been launched in the company’s home market Japan. It gets a new name GB350 in Japan and is priced at 268,000 yen (approx. Rs 1.89 lakh). GB350 will be made in India and exported to Japan as CBUs.
In Japan, the motorcycle will be offered in only one variant, which is the top variant. In India, CB350 is available in DLX and DLX Pro variants. They are priced at Rs 1,86,500 and Rs 1,92,500, respectively (both ex-showroom). This makes the CB350 on sale in Japan, cheaper than the one on sale in India by about Rs 2,500 – in spite of the fact that it is made in India and exported to Japan as CBU.
Please note that the India prices are the new prices that were notified earlier this month. Original launch price of CB350 DLX and DLX Pro was Rs 1.85 lakh and Rs 1.90 lakh, ex-sh, respectively.
Honda GB350 design and styling
Except the change in name, GB350 is the same as CB350 that is sold in the Indian market. The motorcycle utilizes a combo of retro styling and modern features such as full LED headlamp and LED winkers. The dual-tone fuel tank with broad ‘Honda’ badging adds to the motorcycle’s visual appeal. Chrome elements have been used liberally on the motorcycle, which give it a regal look and feel.
Honda CB350 in Japan. Image – Young Machine
Honda GB350 key features
Honda CB350 packs in a range of segment-first features. One of these is Honda Smartphone Voice Control System (HSVCS), which lets users connect and access their smartphones via Bluetooth. There are dedicated buttons on the handlebar, which can be used to access text messages, phone calls, weather information, music playback and navigation.
Other segment first features include assist and slipper clutch, Honda selectable torque control, average and real time mileage display, battery voltage meter, gear position indicator, and distance to empty.
Honda GB350 engine
CB350 is BS6 compliant, which is equivalent to Euro 5 emission norms. As such, Honda does not need to carry out any updates in the engine for the Japanese market. All other equipment and features of GB350 will be the same as CB350.
Honda CB350 is powered by a 348 cc air-cooled, single-cylinder engine that is capable of generating 21 bhp of max power at 5500 rpm and 30 Nm of max torque at 3,000 rpm. It is mated to a 5-speed gearbox.
As compared to Royal Enfield’s signature thumping exhaust note, CB350 has a crispier and refined exhaust note. It would appeal to a mature audience who do not wish to be too loud on the streets.
Honda CB350 utilizes a half-duplex cradle frame with telescopic front forks and twin hydraulic rear suspension. Braking duties are performed by 310 mm and 240 mm disc at the front and rear, respectively. Dual-channel ABS is offered as standard. More

2021 Honda Grazia Sports Edition
Apart from a few cosmetic updates, Grazia Sports Edition is almost identical to the regular model

Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) has launched a special variant of its power scooter Grazia 125. Dubbed Grazia Sports Edition, this scooter comes at a price tag of Rs 83,140 (ex-Delhi) which makes it Rs 1000 costlier than the disc brake variant of the regular model. It is now the most expensive scooter on offer from Honda India.
Cosmetic Update
For the additional premium, the Sports Edition model gets new paint schemes with body graphics that make the scooter look sportier. It gets two new colour options namely Sports Red and Pearl Nightstar Black. The Sports Edition model also receives red-black coloured rear suspension along with racing stripes.
Other changes on this special edition model include a new rear grab rail, a new logo and a combination colour front-arc. Apart from these cosmetic changes, Sports Edition variant is identical to the standard scooter.
Speaking on the occasion of the launch of Grazia Sports Edition, Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Director – Sales and Marketing, HMSI, said that with gradual reopening of educational institutes, Grazia Sports Edition could be the new choice for many looking for new personal mobility on two wheels.
Honda scooter prices Jan 2021
Mechanical Specs
Mechanically, it is powered by the same 124cc single-cylinder, air-cooled motor which propels the regular Grazia. This unit is good enough to produce 8.14bhp at 6,000rpm and 10.3 Nm of peak torque at 5,000rpm and is mated to a CVT gearbox.
Even the hardware setup is identical to the standard Grazia which gets conventional telescopic forks at front and a spring-loaded hydraulic setup at rear. It rides on 12 and 10-inch alloy wheels at front and rear respectively with a disc brake at front and a drum brake at rear.
Features
In terms of features, it is offered with a fully digital instrument console, black alloy wheels, LED headlamp, multi-function ignition switch, integrated pass switch and external fuel lid. Take a look at the new official TVC video below.
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The instrument cluster displays information such as speed, odometer, trip meter, distance-to-empty, real-time fuel efficiency and more. The engine on this scooter benefits from Honda Eco Technology (HET), an alternate current generator (ACG) for a smooth, silent start and Enhanced Smart Power (eSP) along with a side-stand indicator with engine cut-off.
Honda currently retails four scooters under its portfolio- Activa 6G, Dio, Activa 125 and Grazia in India with Activa brand being the highest-selling scooter in the Indian market for a very long time. Grazia locks horns with Honda Activa 125, Hero Maestro Edge 125, Destiny and TVS Ntorq at the Indian market. More

New Honda Grom 125
Honda Grom 125 is powered by a 125cc motor and is equipped with USD forks up front

OEMS regularly patent a lot of new technologies and upcoming products across the globe. Although, not all patents end up being something concrete. It has happened many times before that Honda has patented something which did not see light of the day.
Honda Grom in India
For many years, it was reported that the Japanese auto giant would be launching the Grom in Indian but it never reached our shores. A few years ago, its trademark was filed too, however, what we got was a scooter-styled bike named Navi. The company has once again filed a patent for the latest iteration of Grom in India, as seen from the patent application.
However, going by Honda’s track record, chances are very high that this too might never see light of the day. Although, there is a slight possibility of Honda reviving the Navi moniker in India.
Honda Navi made its debut in India at the AutoExpo 2016 and grabbed a lot of eyeballs with its quirky design. However, below-par sales and stricter emission norms made Honda remove it from its India lineup early last year. But that has not stopped Honda from manufacturing Navi in India. Honda continues to manufacture Navi in India for export markets.
Honda Grom 125 Patented in India
Navi Mechanicals
Navi used a 110cc motor borrowed from Activa which produced 7.8 bhp at 8,000 rpm and 8.96 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. Like Activa, this unit was mated to a CVT gearbox. It was targeted at a younger group of consumers between the age bracket of 18 and 25 years and hence came with a wide array of funky colour options namely- Ladakh Brown, Sparky Orange, Black, Shasta White, Ranger Green and Patriot Red.
In terms of mechanicals, the monkey bike was equipped with telescopic forks up front and a hydraulic mono-shock at rear. It rode on 12-inch front and 10-inch wheels with drum brakes on both ends to stop the vehicle. It was one of the rarest bikes with an automatic transmission which added a lot of conveniences.
Honda Navi 125?
If Honda indeed decides to bring back Navi to India, it could do well if it is equipped with the 124cc unit from Activa 125. This motor in its BS6 iteration churns out 8.2 bhp at 6,500rpm and 10.3 Nm of peak torque at 5,000rpm. This would make for a more spirited ride.
Apart from this, the Japanese brand hiked prices of all its models including its latest offering CB350. The retro classic motorcycle has witnessed the highest price hike of Rs 2500. Honda’s highest-selling product has witnessed a price increment in the range of Rs 907 to Rs 1,755. More