The Honda CBR250RR will make its debut as a concept at the Tokyo Motor Show in October powered by a parallel-twin motor and underpinned by a new Trellis frame.

Honda calls it the Light Weight Super Sport Concept

The rumours, speculations and renderings have been keeping the quarter-litre performance space excited for quite some time as Honda was supposedly entering the segment bringing back an in-line four or twin-cylinder offering. Dubbed as the CBR250RR based on the discontinued motorcycle, we can now vouch that the said model will indeed by a reality in the future as Honda will showcase a new super sports concept at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month.

Announcing its exhibits at the Tokyo Motor Show prior to the event, Honda calls it the ‘Light Weight Super Sports Concept’ for a next generation super sport model. In a statement, the automaker stated that the bike gets a sense of speed courtesy of the long nose and low crouching position. A deep look at the image and it isn’t very hard to calibrate how the production version will turn out to be. The concept’s sharp lines look extremely aggressive much to our liking while the Trellis frame is visible underneath the full fairing.

Previous reports have suggested that a parallel-twin cylinder will be powering the upcoming Honda CBR250RR. The Japanese automaker could follow Yamaha (akin R25/R3) when it comes cubic capacity providing a 250cc motor for Asian markets while the Western hemisphere could get a 300-350cc engine. Given the fact that India has received the Yamaha R3, we keep our hopes high on this one as well. Other expected details include telescopic front forks, a monoshock rear setup, front and rear disc brakes with ABS and a slipper clutch.

The original Honda CBR250RR was one brute of a performer packing an in-line four-cylinder that could push up to 19,000 RPM. While the in-line 4 won’t make it to the market again, the new CBR250RR will act as a more powerful alternative to the single-cylinder CBR250R/CBR300R that have slumped in volumes due to the competition just being better in recent years. The Tokyo Motor Show is due to start on 29th October 2015 and more details will be available then on Honda’s highly awaited offering.

The CBR250RR will look extremely aggressive based on the concept’s strong styling

The post Honda To Unveil New Super Sport Concept, Previews CBR250RR appeared first on MotorBeam.

Honda now dominates the two-wheeler space in a total of 8 states across the country adding Gujarat, Punjab and Delhi to the list.

Honda is the new leader in Delhi with a market share of 33%

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has outperformed is erstwhile partner Hero MotoCorp in terms of volumes dominating several states across the country. As per the sales figures released by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the Japanese automaker achieved the numero uno position across eight states including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Goa, as well as one Union Territory Chandigarh.

Honda recently added Gujarat, Punjab and Delhi to its number one list for the first time and has managed to double its domestic market share to 26 percent over the last four years. The automaker further stated that its market share in the automatic scooter space is as high as 80 percent in Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh, and over 70 percent in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Uttarakhand.

Iterating its dominant market position further, Honda India stated that during the first quarter of FY2016, the automaker grew five times faster than the industry which has come courtesy of the strategy to launch new models in both motorcycle and scooter segments while also expand its network in smaller towns, and increase production. For the current calendar year, Honda has a target of introducing 15 new products in the market, 12 of which are already on sale with the rest reserved for launch in the following weeks.

Out of the recent launches, the Honda Livo 110cc commuter and middle-weight CBR650F have received a positive response and the manufacturer is optimistic that the festive season will be driving the next growth curve for the company. On a pan India basis, Honda’s sales grew progressively across 28 states including many motorcycle dominated regions like Uttar Pradesh (14%), Haryana (7%), Assam (13%), West Bengal (19%), Madhya Pradesh (3%), Punjab (8%), Rajasthan (12%), Jharkhand (14%), Chhattisgarh (16%), Tamil Nadu (8%) and Bihar (7%).

Goa is currently Honda’s largest market in the country with a 55% market share

The post Honda Overtakes Hero MotoCorp Sales In 8 States appeared first on MotorBeam.

India is all set to become the largest 2-wheeler market for Honda in-terms of sales volume by next year, overtaking Indonesia. Honda aims to garner more interest among youth by improving its image as a maker of sporty motorcycles.

Honda’s scooter segment has performed better than the company’s expectations

Honda’s 2-wheeler division is planning growth strategies not only for the next 3-5 years, but also the next 10 or 15 years. The company mentioned that the market situation is different in India as compared to the US or Europe and hence they are finding it a little challenging. They need to look at business stand points, foresee things for the future regarding products and also look into which kind of products has and will have potential for growth in the Indian market.

In the last 4 years, Honda’s plans and expectations were achieved with the required results. They added that their scooter market share has grown beyond their expectation, but where they are lacking seems to be the motorcycle segment where they are not able to achieve the results they had planned. Honda says that electric vehicles is the way ahead. Mentioning examples of cities like Mumbai and Delhi being the worst affected in terms of pollution, electric vehicles makes more sense, even for motorcycles where fuel cell vehicles can become relevant.

The vision for Honda Motorcycle is to make India the largest two-wheeler market for the company. Honda India will play catch up with Indonesian volume of up to 4.5 million units within this financial year, while they will overtake Indonesia in the coming year, due to a decline in their market in terms of volume. Honda says that their main aim is to penetrate the minds of people as being a two-wheeler manufacturer, especially in rural areas where they have less outlets. Once they have achieved this, they can start to build a momentum which will accelerate them forward.

Honda’s aim is to provide good quality motorcycles at affordable prices. They are also confident that by the year 2020, they will have volumes of 20 million units, with India leading the growth having the highest volumes of up to 7 – 8 million units. Talking about domestic competition like Hero MotoCorp, they mentioned that Hero does not have the capability of product development and hence are not that big a rival.

Honda agrees that though it does not have the same sporty youth appeal as its other rivals like Yamaha in India and that this may have happened because of their Indian products being more focused on mass volumes expansion, but say they have the same appeal as Yamaha in other Asian countries. The company could get more youthful motorcycles in the future if the R&D in India could perform functions similar to that of the R&D of Thailand by collaborating with each other.

The main focus Honda is trying to achieve is chasing mass volume, while also meeting the demand of the youth. Honda says they have to work on both simultaneously, though they at present don’t know what to do or how to go about it. They have started developing vehicles in India at Manesar. Honda believes that India can start from scratch and also handle all the development and can also expand on activities like external design which is already up and running in the country.

Honda feels that their R&D in India which is still new, needs more time to take the responsibility to develop markets in countries like Africa and the Middle East. Honda at the moment has small plants in Nigeria and Kenya which import CKD units from China, but the idea is to start shipping CKD from India with the Dream Series which though has great potential, hasn’t been fixed yet.

Honda is focused more on expanding mass volumes in India

Source – ETAuto.com

The post India To Become Honda’s Largest 2-Wheeler Market By Next Year appeared first on MotorBeam.

Honda has had a patchy innings in the Indian two-wheelers market with a mix of successful and failed products. This is contrary to the company’s performance in the 4-wheeler space.

5 Honda bikes had to be discontinued due to various reasons

Earlier we spoke about the Bajaj bikes that got discontinued from the Indian market and now we talk about Honda bikes on the same topic. Honda might be having an excellent run with the Activa and some of its other products but the company has had some bikes in its kitty that had to be discontinued due to poor sales or to make way for newer models.

First up, we have the CB Twister which was launched in 2010. The bike was discontinued earlier this year and it was replaced by the new Livo motorcycle. Then we have the CB Trigger which too was stopped in August this year. The bike was BS III compliant only and the Japanese company did not have any intentions of making it BS IV compliant. The motorcycle was having low sales too and it survived in the Indian market for only 2 years.

The Honda CB Unicorn 150 was a popular bike in India but it got axed in June 2015. Dealers continued selling leftover units at a premium later as middle-age buyers still preferred that bike (some are still hoping for Honda to bring back the Unicorn 150). The bike was replaced by the CB Unicorn 160. The older Unicorn served the Indian market for 10 years and even now it is known as a very reliable commuter bike. Next up is the CB Dazzler which was actually supposed to replace the Unicorn but since the latter was very popular, Honda couldn’t discontinue it.

Thus, the Dazzler was replaced by the CB Trigger. The bike was a nice package but it failed to strike a chord with buyers and hence it had to be pulled off too. The CBF Stunner was Honda’s attempt to provide a faired bike with sporty styling to the masses. However, the bike had a 125cc engine and it was priced quite optimistically as compared to other bikes in the same segment and when dealers stopped getting any demand for the bike, Honda had to eventually pull it off. Can you guess as to which will be the next Honda model to be axed in our country?

The ever popular CB Unicorn was replaced by the Unicorn 160

The post 5 Honda Bikes That Got Discontinued In The Recent Past appeared first on MotorBeam.

Honda could finally launch the CBR300R at the Auto Expo with the upgraded mechanicals and fresh styling while the PCX150 could provide a glimpse at the more powerful scooters to come.

The CBR300R looks fresh, gets a bigger motor & a lighter kerb weight

You read it first on MotorBeam. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) is planning an interesting 2016 as new and updated models are in the pipeline ready to go on sale. Having just launched the new CB Hornet 160R, the automaker is now gearing up for the upcoming Auto Expo scheduled in February and has promised a surprise offering that will be making an appearance at its pavilion. While the company has not divulged any details yet, we suspect this surprise two-wheeler could be the highly awaited CBR300R or the PCX150 performance scooter.

While Honda has been strengthening its mass market offerings, the performance space has been highly neglected especially in the quarter-litre segment. The facelifted and dramatically improved CBR300R arrived globally in 2013 replacing the CBR250R with the CBR1000R inspired styling, improved power output and lighter kerb weight, much to the happiness of Honda fans. However, the Indian arm has refrained from launching the facelifted CBR300R till now and is really lagging in terms of sales in the performance segment.

Power on the Honda CBR300R facelift comes from a 286cc single-cylinder motor producing 30.4 BHP and 27 Nm of torque, paired to a 6-speed gearbox while the kerb weight is lowered by 6.8 kgs over the outgoing model. The facelifted CBR could bring some respite to Honda India bringing it back in the race. The arrival of the CBR300R could be followed up with the launch of the CBR150R facelift later in the year.

The other offering likely to be showcased is the Honda PCX150 power scooter that is sold internationally and has been under consideration for some time now. The scooter market is growing exponentially in India and there is absolutely no doubt that Honda has been at the forefront of this growth. The Japanese auto giant showcased the PCX125 at the 2014 Auto Expo, which the PCX150 shares its design language with and went on to launch the Activa 125 at the biennial event. Could the PCX150 set the premise for a 150cc Honda scooter? Let’s hope.

The PCX150 uses a 153cc FI motor producing 13.4 BHP & 14 Nm

The post Honda Motorcycle Has Surprise Planned For 2016 Auto Expo appeared first on MotorBeam.

Honda will be introducing 14 updated products next year with the BSIV compliant engines while costs are also expected to increase on all models courtesy of the upgrades.

Honda is being well prepared before the government’s deadline

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) will be introducing a host of mechanical upgrades across its entire lineup for the 2016 model year. As per a recent report, the automaker has 14 products lined up for minor technical upgrades and modifications next year which include updating the engines BSIV emission norms along with the inclusion of ABS as a safety feature as mandated by the government.

The Indian government has announced 31st March 2017 as the last date to upgrade new products with BSIV emission norms and Honda wants to be well prepared way before the deadline. Certainly a positive move, the company will be introducing the refreshed models every month throughout the year. In addition, Honda also confirmed that the company will be introducing Combi-Braking System (CBS) in all two-wheelers up to 125cc while Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) will be offered as standard on offerings above 125cc.

Honda further iterated that updating its models to BSIV norms and CBS/ABS will result in higher production cost. As a result, prices will see a surge across all models and the automaker reckons the demand will see a considerable fall. Honda hasn’t ruled out the possibility of costs increasing further if BS V norms are implemented on two-wheelers as well, which are set to be levied on cars from 2019. That said, cost effective solutions are also under development to keep the price escalation to a minimum.

Talking about growth, Honda is looking at a positive 2016-17 financial year with a 15 percent growth rate. The company is also looking to achieve 100 percent capacity utilisation at its manufacturing plants and will commence operations at the scooter only production facility in Gujarat by the end of January 2016. The plant will have an annual capacity of six lakh units on a single line and another line will be installed after four months with the same capacity. Honda is also expanding its Karnataka based facility to meet the growing demand.

This means updates for the Hornet, CB Unicorn 160 & CBR150R are already underway

Source – EconomicTimes.com

The post Honda To Upgrade All Bikes With BSIV Engines In 2016, CBS To Be Standard appeared first on MotorBeam.

Honda had showcased the City Adventure Concept Scooter at the 2015 EICMA show and the company plans to put the off-road scooter in production by 2017.

The Honda City Adventure Scooter could open a new market for off-roaders

“The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure,” roger that, the biggest adventure that we as human beings can think of is to live our dreams. Well the news is Honda revealed their urban adventure oriented off-road capable concept wearing the badge ADV, unlike the rivaling junta providing dedicated two-wheeled off-roading rackets, Honda has chosen to light up things differently, with an introduction of adventure to the scooter genre.

This year’s EICMA motorcycle show witnessed some of the most interesting concepts being displayed, the Honda City Adventure was one among them. The urban off-roader scooter concept seems to have had different opinion with respect to the way it is designed and positioned, for me it’s quite a lot of vitamin-M for vitamin-D, but truly looks are subjective and for me this one is an edgier way to display your rush for adrenaline with urban friendly ergonomics.

The concept gives us a visible peak at what Honda is headed to with their scooters, the concept itself looks futuristic with robustness and solid build quality. The Honda City Adventure concept seems to be well equipped at the arena it’s portrayed, having a raised stance, off-road threaded tyres, adjustable wind screen, wired spoke wheels and the off-road spec hand-guards giving it a beefier and off-road esque appeal.

Being a scooter, practicality downplays the peers. So for the badge, the Honda city Adventure concept comes with an accommodating pillion seat, short tyres and a beautiful array of modern electronics sufficed with comfortable ergonomics (from the visualisation). Technical details about the concept have not been revealed yet, though one can spot the concept wearing twin-disc brakes at the front and a single disc doing duty at the rear, bearing the badge of Nissin but word is it that most features from the concept would be given a miss in the production guise during its launch by 2017.

All digital console could be swapped out for a cheaper alternative

Some nice design details like the spoke wheels and upswept exhaust

The post Honda To Launch City Adventure Concept Based Off-Road Scooter appeared first on MotorBeam.

Honda India has teased its upcoming model Navi on its social media channels ahead of the official unveil scheduled at the upcoming Auto Expo.

The Navi nameplate could be for an all-new scooter, likely a 125cc model

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has shared its new year greetings with a slight twist that has surely made things interesting. Wishing everyone a ‘Happy Navi Year’, the automaker has hinted towards its next major launch which will be revealed at the Auto Expo next month. While we gather that the product is likely to be called Navi, the model taking up the brand name isn’t clear at this point. What speculations do suggest though is that Honda could introduce an all-new scooter at the expo.

The Navi nameplate is completely new to the Honda family and is likely to be a 125cc scooter co-existing with the Activa 125 in the automaker’s lineup. Honda India currently offers only one 125cc scooter in India and with the segment growing slowly but strongly, the company could be ensuring it offers a more diverse choice of products. Going by the teaser images shared by the company, the new product will be a youth-centric model.

The Honda Navi could also be showcased in concept form at the 2016 Auto Expo considering the Japanese automaker’s image was attached with the caption “2016 will bring in new ideas, new concepts. There’s something amazing brewing at our side. Visit the Auto Expo 2016 in Feb.” Honda managed to show its bold side last year with the newly launched CB Hornet 160R that used the CB Unicorn 160’s underpinnings in the motorcycle space and the Navi could do the same in the scooter segment.

Furthermore, it is now more important for Honda to strengthen its position in the scooter space, especially since Hero MotoCorp is gaining ground quickly with its new set of launches. The Indian auto giant has a host of scooters planned for launch in the coming years including 150cc models and Honda will have to be well prepared to fend off competition from its former partner. All said, more details related to the new Navi can be only expected as we get closer to the official launch at the expo. The company is likely to drop a product teaser or two before the official unveil.

Honda has promised a surprise launch at the 2016 Auto Expo

The post Honda Navi To Be Unveiled At 2016 Auto Expo, Teased Online appeared first on MotorBeam.

Honda will introduce a new 150cc commuter motorcycle which will sit below the CB Unicorn and the newly launched Hornet 160. The patent image shows that it is a naked bike.

Honda launched 15 new products in 2015 across a host of segments

Honda Motorcycles and Scooter India (HMSI) is developing a new 150cc commuter motorcycle which will be positioned below the CB Unicorn 160 and CB Hornet 160R models. The motorcycle has been patented by the Japanese manufacturer and we have got our hands on the patent image. The new offering is aimed at getting back the customers lost due to the discontinuation of the old Unicorn as the new one has not matched their expectations.

The patented image shows that the upcoming 150cc commuter vehicle is designed according to Honda’s new design language. The naked motorcycle closely resembles the defunct CB Twister as well. The front end looks inspired from the Twister while the rear is identical to the new Shine SP. The alloy wheels come from the newly launched Hornet. The fuel tank along with some other parts looks similar to the new Unicorn. The prime competitor will be the Bajaj Discover and the upcoming cruiser-commuter offering currently under development.

The new 150cc commuter from Honda will get a cost effective pricing with component sharing evident on the model. You can make out the twin rear shocks instead of the more sophisticated monoshock unit. This will also mark Honda’s re-entry into the entry-level 150cc segment which does not have much competition. The bike is also likely to use the same 160cc engine but in a detuned state for higher fuel efficiency.

Honda was aggressive in 2015 with 15 new launches of which the last one was the CB Hornet 160R. The Japanese manufacturer has teased a new brand ‘Navi’ which will debut at the upcoming 2016 Auto Expo. The 150cc segment was positive for Honda only with the Unicorn for the longest time, even though the Dazzler and Trigger did not make the cut. Nonetheless, the Hornet 160 has received a good start. So, an entry-level 150cc commuter from Honda will be interesting to see.

The new 150cc commuter will be placed below new Unicorn and Hornet 160

Update – The bike which has been patented is the Honda Verza which is sold in other Asian markets. The motorcycle is powered by a 149.2cc engine that produces 13.03 HP of power.

The post Honda To Launch Entry-Level 150cc Bike Below CB Unicorn 160 [Update] appeared first on MotorBeam.

Honda is planning to display the CB125F at the 2016 Auto Expo to gauge customer response and accordingly take a call on launching the motorcycle in India.

The Honda CB125F is a smart looking bike

The Indian motorcycle market has been full of action since some time. New bikes are being launched by almost all manufacturers in different segments in order to capture a larger share of the market. Currently, it is Honda which leads in the 125cc bike segment with the CB Shine which was recently updated with a 5-speed gearbox and cosmetic changes. Now, the company is looking at bringing in another motorbike in this segment.

After the discontinuation of the CB Stunner, the premium 125cc space hasn’t seen a contender from Honda. It might change soon as the Japanese bikemaker will display the CB125F at the Auto Expo next month to gauge the public’s response. If the feedback is satisfactory, it will launch the motorcycle here in the near future. It is likely to share mechanical components like the engine and gearbox with the CB Shine to keep costs low.

Internationally, the Honda CB125F comes with a fuel-injected 125cc engine producing 10 PS of power and 10.2 Nm of torque. In India, it will get a carburettor equipped 125cc motor, producing 10.6 PS of power and 10.3 Nm of torque. In terms of looks, the 125cc bike resembles the recently launched Livo from certain angles. The funky looking alloys and the chiseled fuel tank add some flair to it. The instrument console is a dual pod unit with the usual tell-tale signs and a tachometer in addition to the speedometer.

Expected to be priced at around Rs. 65,000/- if launched here, the Honda CB125F will be one of the expensive 125cc bikes on sale. Honda needs to be more aggressive in the Indian market and instead of launching refreshed version of bikes with new colours and stickers, it will have to launch new products to capture the market. At the Auto Expo, Honda is expected to launch the CBR300R too which has been long due.

Premium 125cc bike segment doesn’t have too many offerings

Source – Zigwheels.com

The post Honda CB125F Launch Being Considered For India appeared first on MotorBeam.

Honda will be displaying a slew of products at the upcoming 2016 Auto Expo. The company will also raise awareness about road safety and Chhota Bheem will also be present.

Honda will showcase 6 production ready products and 4 concepts

The two-wheeler division of Honda will be displaying as many as 10 products at the upcoming 2016 Auto Expo. The company seems to be betting big on the Indian market and these products are going to draw a lot of buzz towards Honda. The most exciting product is going to be the Navi for sure. Honda has been giving out teasers of this two-wheeler since a long time but we don’t know whether it is a scooter or bike or an all-new concept. Honda claims that the Navi will create a new segment in the Indian two-wheeler market.

Honda will also announce an adventure bike and it will also be a part of the company’s ‘Make In India’ resolve. The Japanese company is also going to showcase four updated models from its current portfolio in India. These facelifted products will make sure the company’s line-up remains fresh. Apart from these 6 production ready two-wheelers (CBR300R likely), Honda is going to put on display four concepts too.

Out of the 4 concepts, 2 were already revealed earlier and they are the NEOWING and EV-Club concepts. The NEOWING is a 3-wheeler sports hybrid while the EV-Club is a light scooter. These concepts were earlier showcased at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. Apart from these, two more concepts will be unveiled at the Auto Expo but Honda hasn’t revealed anything about them and they have been kept under wraps.

Racing fans can rejoice now. Honda will be showcasing Marc Marquez’s MotoGP bike RC213V. The company will also have a Road Safety Zone where instructors will teach lessons on road safety to all age groups. The company’s brand ambassadors, Akshay Kumar and Tapsee Pannu will also grace the Honda pavilion. Chhota Bheem, a very famous cartoon character, will also be present at Honda’s stall, talking about road safety.

The company will encourage road safety by engaging visitors in a road safety programme

The post Honda Two-Wheelers To Showcase 10 Models At 2016 Auto Expo appeared first on MotorBeam.

The upcoming Honda Navi is a scooter-bike crossover which aims at creating a new segment in the 2-wheeler market. It will be unveiled at the 2016 Auto Expo.

Honda started marketing the Navi from the beginning of January

The scooter market in India has been single handedly dominated by Honda since many years. Ever since it launched the Activa, the market lapped it up and till date the scooter gets tremendous response. But, if we look at the motorcycle market, Honda’s total sales aren’t even close to the competitors. Having tried its hand many times at increasing its market share there, it has figured out that it isn’t working well. So, they have a different strategy now.

Scooter owners have often loved scooters for their practicality but loathe them for their lack of comfort and flick-ability when compared to bikes. Honda is trying to bridge this gap by introducing a scooter-bike crossover. The project is codenamed K74 and the name for the masses is Navi. The Japanese automaker teased the name a few weeks ago and spoke about the new vehicle’s unveil at the 2016 Auto Expo. Whether it will be unveiled in concept form or in a production-ready guise remains to be seen.

The Honda Navi is said to be different from the step-through scooters which are common in Southeast Asian markets. It will share its 110c engine and other mechanicals with the Activa and will be produced at the company’s plant in Manesar. The major driver for its success will be the way it looks as Indians are very conscious about their vehicle’s aesthetics. If it looks good and offers something additional over the current crop of scooters, this may be another game changer for the Japanese brand.

At the 2016 Auto Expo, Honda will have ten models on display out of which six will be the ones to be launched in India and four will be in concept form. The highlight of the pavilion is supposed to be the Navi considering its marketing started at the beginning of this month itself. The production of the new model is rumoured to be capped at one lakh units per annum but if it is accepted well by the market, the production will be ramped up.

It might be a game changer for Honda

Source – ETAuto.com

The post Honda Navi Is A Scooter-Bike Crossover, Unveil At Auto Expo appeared first on MotorBeam.

Honda has bought the EV-Cub Concept to the Auto Expo 2016. It is an interesting last mile connectivity solution aimed at reducing air pollution.

Many automotive brands have realized the potential of electric vehicles and have already started working on them. Raising awareness for the same would take some time but once that happens, sales are bound to increase a lot. Honda is also trying to be prepared for the surge in demand. It has developed the EV-Cub Concept in order to ease short distance commute and to fill in the shoes of the old Super Cub scooter.

The design of the EV-Cub is very retro and simple. It gets a single seat and a space behind it for luggage. There’s space between the rider’s feet too for luggage. The main purpose of the two-wheeler is to makes short distance commute more economical. Being an easy vehicle to ride, it can be used by multiple people in a family. Considering it’s powered by an electric motor, running costs will be very low.

The EV-Cub has been designed keeping multiple things in mind. The battery sits at the centre of the scooter and at the lowest possible position in order to have proper weight distribution and ease handling. The battery can be charged from any household socket via the cable tucked away along with the battery. If launched in India once production begins, it has the potential of being an overnight success considering majority of the population uses two-wheelers for short commute only.

The post Honda Showcases EV-Cub Concept At 2016 Auto Expo [Live] appeared first on MotorBeam.

Honda has showcased the CRF1000L Africa Twin at the 2016 Auto Expo. The adventure-touring bike will be launched by the end of 2016.

Honda had set a standard for adventure bikes with the Africa Twin series in the 90s. These bikes had off-roading capabilities we find in adventure bikes today. However, they were discontinued in 2003. The Africa Twin series was relaunched after twelve years in 2015 with the introduction of the CRF1000L. The Japanese manufacturer has unveiled the new Africa Twin at the 2016 Auto Expo with the commercial launch being expected by the end of 2016. It will be assembled in India to keep the price competitive.

The Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin is a proper adventure-touring bike with all the off-roading capabilities, the original Africa Twin was known for in the 90s. The faired front fascia along with the golden front forks give the bike a very good character. The bike will stand against the Triumph Tiger series, Suzuki V-Storm 1000 and Kawasaki Versys 1000 in India. The new adventure bike comes with Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and a switchable ABS for the rear wheel.

The Honda CRF1000L is powered by a 998cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine with the crank rotated to 270 degrees which produces 94 BHP at 7500 RPM and 98 Nm of torque at 6000 RPM and this engine can either be mated to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed DCT (Dual-Clutch) gearbox with on and off-road riding modes. The braking crew consists of 320 mm 4-piston floating dual-disc on the front wheel while the rear wheel has a 256 mm 2-piston floating disc. The suspension set up has telescopic forks upfront while the rear is a monoshock unit.

The post Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Showcased At 2016 Auto Expo [Live] appeared first on MotorBeam.

Honda has showcased 2015 Moto GP runner-up RC213V at the ongoing 2016 Auto Expo. The HRC bike has been one of the most successful in the last few seasons.

The RC213V is a 4-stroke, 1000cc, V4 race bike. It has been exclusively developed for Moto GP by Honda Racing Corporation and has been derived from the previous versions; RC211V and RC212V. The bike first made its appearance in the 2012 season and has gone under a series of updates. The RC213V puts out a staggering 228 BHP and weighs just 160 kgs.

The factory riders for Honda are Dani Pedrosa (#26) and Marc Marquez (#93). Last year, Honda was the runner-up as the manufacturer for the 2015 season with Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa as third and fourth respectively in the riders’ standings. Honda unveiled the RC213V-S, a road legal bike with the specs of its racing sibling in 2015. It is expected to cost around Rs. 2.5 crores if launched in India, about which Honda hasn’t expressed any intention to do so for obvious reasons.

The post Honda RC213V Race Bike Showcased at 2016 Auto Expo [Live] appeared first on MotorBeam.

Honda has displayed the Neowing concept at the 2016 Auto Expo. The tilting trike was unveiled last year at the Tokyo Motor Show.

The Honda Neowing attracts a lot of eye balls at the Auto Expo

A pioneer in 2-wheeler and 4-wheeler segment, Honda has been missing from the 3-wheeler segment. But that is supposed to change. The Japanese automaker unveiled the Neowing concept at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. It is a trike which will tilt like a large motorcycle and provide excellent cornering feel, something other trikes in the market currently don’t offer. The concept does look uber cool and is promising.

Powered by a hybrid powertrain combining a 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor, the Neowing will be no slouch when it comes to performance. It gets two wheels at the front and one rather wide wheel at the rear. The purpose of this trike is to give good low-speed stability making it easy to ride around in thick traffic while offering good leaning ability too when the rider wants to get an involving riding feel.

The design of the Honda Neowing concept is very futuristic and grabs a lot of attention. If and when it is launched, it will be a very practical option for someone who wants a high power motorcycle but is not sure of handling the high weight. The trike’s third wheel will help manage the weight easily while offering almost similar thrills. The segment sales are on the rise globally and Honda should aim at converting this concept into a production ready model soon.

A trike whihc won’t go into production anytime soon

Those lights look mean and purposeful

The ergonomics are very comfortable for the rider

Low profile Dunlop tyres do duty on this vehicle

The engine powering this beast is a 4-cylinder hybrid

Honda sure knows how to make attractive looking concepts

Sharp design gives the Honda Neowing a lot of presence

The post Honda Displays Neowing Concept At 2016 Auto Expo [Live] appeared first on MotorBeam.

The Honda MSX125SF is the first of the 10 products scheduled to be launched in Thailand during the next two years of which five will be all-new products and the rest will be updates of existing vehicles.

The Honda MSX125SF is powered by a 124.9cc PGM-FI engine

Honda has launched the MSX125SF in Thailand at a price of THB 75,000 (Rs. 1.5 lakhs) while the deliveries are scheduled to begin by the end of this month itself. It is the first of the 10 products scheduled to be launched in Thailand during the next two years of which five will be completely new vehicles while the rest will be updated versions of their existing products.

The new Honda MSX125SF features a number of updates when compared to the predecessor, these updates include a foldable key, fully-digital instrument console, aircraft-type fuel tank lid, new exhaust tube, twin LED headlamps, LED turn indicators and LED tail lamp.

The Honda MSX125SF continues to be powered by the 124.9cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, PGM-FI, SOHC engine that produces 9.7 HP at 7000 RPM and 10.9 Nm of torque at 5500 RPM while mated to a 4-speed gearbox. The braking department is handled by a 220 mm dual-piston disc on the front wheel and a 190 mm rear disc brake.

The Honda MSX125SF is 1755 mm long, 728 mm wide and 998 mm tall while the ground clearance is 153 mm. The wheelbase is a good 1200 mm and the seat height measures 754 mm while the bike will be offered in four colours that include Booster White, Burning Red, Hyper Yellow and Eclipse Black.

Honda MSX125SF

– The Honda MSX125SF is launched in Thailand priced at THB 75,000 (Rs. 1.5 lakhs)
– It is powered by a 124.9cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, PGM-FI engine
– The MSX125SF is offered in four colours namely Booster White, Hyper Yellow, Burning Red and Eclipse Black
– The new-gen is offered with features such as a foldable key, fully digital instrument console, twin LED headlamps, new exhaust pipe, etc.

The 2016 MSX125SF is equipped with a fully digital instrument console

The 2016 Honda MSX125SF will feature a new exhaust canister

The Honda MSX125SF will be offered in four colours

The post Honda MSX125SF Launched In Thailand appeared first on MotorBeam.

Three Honda TMX 125 Alpha motorcycles has been imported in India by Honda from Philippines. The TMX 125 is a bare-basic motorcycle purely aimed at the rural market.

Three Honda TMX 125 Alpha motorcycles have been imported from Philippines for research

The Indian motorcycle market is largely dominated by commuter bikes which primarily serve the purpose of carrying its owner from point A to B reliably and sip very less fuel while doing it. Thus it is of no surprise that every automaker wants a presence in this segment. Honda is one manufacturer which has a wide array of motorcycles for every kind of customer in its portfolio world over such as the TMX 125 Alpha motorcycle which it just imported from Philippines to India.

Import data has shown that three Honda TMX 125 Alpha motorcycles were imported in March by the automaker. The data also stated that the bikes have been imported for research and development purposes which indicates that Honda might target the rural market with a sturdy and no-frills low cost motorcycle. All the three motorcycles have a declared value of Rs. 1,18,390/- each, which is the importer declared value and not the real market price.

The Honda TMX 125 Alpha is a sturdy and affordable motorcycle with features and styling aimed squarely at the rural customer. The motorcycle has a 124.11cc air-cooled single-cylinder OHV engine making a maximum power output of 9.67 BHP at 8000 RPM. The stripped out motorcycle has essentials like a backbone frame chassis, engine switch, one-click electric starter side car collar, needle carburettor system and provision for second shock absorber when fitted with a side car.

The motorcycle retails for PHP 49,900 which converts to Rs. 70,000/-. If launched, the Honda TMX 125 could be positioned slightly above the Dream Yuga and Dream Neo and below the CB Shine judging by its engine capacity and exterior styling. It will then compete against other affordable motorcycles like the TVS Phoenix, Bajaj Discover 125 ST, Yamaha SS 125, Hero Super Splendor, Suzuki Slingshot, etc.

Honda TMX 125 Alpha

– Zauba data shows three Honda TMX 125 Alpha have been imported for research purposes
– The 125cc motorcycles feature stripped out exterior styling and rugged construction for rural markets
– The bikes have been imported at an importer declared value of Rs. 1,18,390/- each
– If launched, the bike could be positioned slightly above the Dream Yuga and Dream Neo and below the CB Shine

The motorcycles have a declared value of Rs. 1,18,390/- each

Source – Zauba.com

The post Honda TMX 125 Alpha Motorcycle Imported In India For R&D appeared first on MotorBeam.

Honda had showcased the City Adventure Concept Scooter at the 2015 EICMA show and the company plans to put the off-road scooter in production by 2017.

The Honda City Adventure Scooter could open a new market for off-roaders

“The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure,” roger that, the biggest adventure that we as human beings can think of is to live our dreams. Well the news is Honda revealed their urban adventure oriented off-road capable concept wearing the badge ADV, unlike the rivaling junta providing dedicated two-wheeled off-roading rackets, Honda has chosen to light up things differently, with an introduction of adventure to the scooter genre.

This year’s EICMA motorcycle show witnessed some of the most interesting concepts being displayed, the Honda City Adventure was one among them. The urban off-roader scooter concept seems to have had different opinion with respect to the way it is designed and positioned, for me it’s quite a lot of vitamin-M for vitamin-D, but truly looks are subjective and for me this one is an edgier way to display your rush for adrenaline with urban friendly ergonomics.

The concept gives us a visible peak at what Honda is headed to with their scooters, the concept itself looks futuristic with robustness and solid build quality. The Honda City Adventure concept seems to be well equipped at the arena it’s portrayed, having a raised stance, off-road threaded tyres, adjustable wind screen, wired spoke wheels and the off-road spec hand-guards giving it a beefier and off-road esque appeal.

Being a scooter, practicality downplays the peers. So for the badge, the Honda city Adventure concept comes with an accommodating pillion seat, short tyres and a beautiful array of modern electronics sufficed with comfortable ergonomics (from the visualisation). Technical details about the concept have not been revealed yet, though one can spot the concept wearing twin-disc brakes at the front and a single disc doing duty at the rear, bearing the badge of Nissin but word is it that most features from the concept would be given a miss in the production guise during its launch by 2017.

All digital console could be swapped out for a cheaper alternative

Some nice design details like the spoke wheels and upswept exhaust

The post Honda To Launch City Adventure Concept Based Off-Road Scooter appeared first on MotorBeam.

Honda India has teased its upcoming model Navi on its social media channels ahead of the official unveil scheduled at the upcoming Auto Expo.

The Navi nameplate could be for an all-new scooter, likely a 125cc model

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has shared its new year greetings with a slight twist that has surely made things interesting. Wishing everyone a ‘Happy Navi Year’, the automaker has hinted towards its next major launch which will be revealed at the Auto Expo next month. While we gather that the product is likely to be called Navi, the model taking up the brand name isn’t clear at this point. What speculations do suggest though is that Honda could introduce an all-new scooter at the expo.

The Navi nameplate is completely new to the Honda family and is likely to be a 125cc scooter co-existing with the Activa 125 in the automaker’s lineup. Honda India currently offers only one 125cc scooter in India and with the segment growing slowly but strongly, the company could be ensuring it offers a more diverse choice of products. Going by the teaser images shared by the company, the new product will be a youth-centric model.

The Honda Navi could also be showcased in concept form at the 2016 Auto Expo considering the Japanese automaker’s image was attached with the caption “2016 will bring in new ideas, new concepts. There’s something amazing brewing at our side. Visit the Auto Expo 2016 in Feb.” Honda managed to show its bold side last year with the newly launched CB Hornet 160R that used the CB Unicorn 160’s underpinnings in the motorcycle space and the Navi could do the same in the scooter segment.

Furthermore, it is now more important for Honda to strengthen its position in the scooter space, especially since Hero MotoCorp is gaining ground quickly with its new set of launches. The Indian auto giant has a host of scooters planned for launch in the coming years including 150cc models and Honda will have to be well prepared to fend off competition from its former partner. All said, more details related to the new Navi can be only expected as we get closer to the official launch at the expo. The company is likely to drop a product teaser or two before the official unveil.

Honda has promised a surprise launch at the 2016 Auto Expo

The post Honda Navi To Be Unveiled At 2016 Auto Expo, Teased Online appeared first on MotorBeam.