- Honda's 4 new bikes can offer Indian customers an affordable option with a premium experience.
- The CB500 and Rebel 500 will further strengthen Honda's presence in the roadster as well as the cruiser segment.
- The XR 300 L and Rallye will come with a powerful engine and excellent ground clearance for off-road fans.
The demand for premium motorcycles in India is growing rapidly. Younger customers are now not limited to high mileage commuter bikes but are also attracted to cruisers, roadsters and adventure motorcycles. Keeping this need in mind, Honda is all set to launch 4 new premium and relatively affordable motorcycles in the Indian market this year.
Honda CB500
The Honda CB500 is a neo-retro roadster with design cues from the CB350 and the larger CB750. Being able to manufacture it locally in India can help keep the price competitive. It will get round LED headlamps, a large fuel tank, twin rear shocks and disc brakes on both wheels. The 501cc single-cylinder, oil-cooled engine will deliver 27 PS of power and 43.3 Nm of torque.
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Honda Rebel 500
The Honda Rebel 500 was sold in India earlier; But due to import through CBU route, its price was higher. Now it is likely to make a comeback with about 50% localization. The 471cc parallel-twin engine will produce 46 PS and 43.3 Nm of torque. A 6-speed gearbox is likely to be offered with standard and e-clutch options.
Honda XR 300 L
For off-roading enthusiasts, the XR 300 L can be a must. Along with the lightweight construction will be long-travel suspension and 244 mm ground clearance. The 293.5cc single-cylinder engine produces 26.9 bhp and 26.6 Nm of torque. If manufactured in India, it can come at an attractive price.
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Honda XR 300 Rally
The XR 300 Rally will be more touring and off-road-oriented than the XR 300 L. It will get a bigger fuel tank, taller windscreen and Dakar-inspired bodywork. Features like color TFT display, RoadSync connectivity, traction control and switchable dual-channel ABS are also likely to be available. This bike can compete with KTM 390 Adventure R, Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and TVS Apache RTX.