Honda India could launch the CB500X and CB500R on September 30, 2020

Honda 2Wheelers India has sent an invitation to block the date of September 30, 2020, with the line, "Get ready to be a part of a majestic launch." We are sure that Honda India is planning a premium offering for the country as the mail mentions of Big Wing India - the company's premium outlet retailing motorcycles such as the Honda Africa Twin 1100, Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade and Fireblade SP. We believe the two new launches by Honda could be the CB500X ADV tourer and the CB500R middleweight supersport motorcycles. This will be in line with last year's update wherein Honda had announced that the company will be introducing five brand new motorcycles in the Indian market.

Honda CB500X

Honda's 500cc platform has been accepted well in the international markets. This platform underpins the Rebel 500 cruiser, the CB500X adventure tourer, CB500R and the CB500F naked. All these four motorcycles are now Euro-V compliant. Starting with the CB500X, this crossover adventure motorcycle features long-travel suspension, conventional shock absorber,  19-inch front wheel. The motorcycle is powered by an 8-valve liquid-cooled parallel twin-cylinder that shares its architecture with the 2019 CBR1000RR Fireblade. Honda mentions the engine will offer usable power and torque across the range. The 471cc parallel-twin engine makes 48PS of power at 8,600rpm and generates 43Nm at 6,500rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox with slipper clutch. The kerb weight of the Honda CB500X is 197kg. It has a seat height of 830m and ground clearance of 180mm

2021 Honda CB500X

Doing the suspension duty on the CB500X is the 41mm preload-adjustable telescopic front fork that offers 150mm of travel and a mono-shock in the rear with rear-wheel travel of 135mm. The CB500X rides on 110/80R19 (F) and 160/60R17(R) dual-sport tyres. ABS will be offered as standard with 310mm front and 240mm rear disc. In terms of features, the CB500X, features LED lights and LCD instrumentation.

Honda CB500R

Honda's fully-faired CBR500R can be seen taking inspiration from the company's flagship supersport offering the Fireblade. While the powertrain is identical, with an unchanged state of tune, the lightweight supersport CB500R weighs 192kg. The piston shape is similar to the 2019 CBR1000RR Fireblade, which has helped the engine to be less noisy at higher RPMs, mentions Honda.

2021 Honda CBR500R

The motorcycle gets a 41mm telescopic front fork, with 120mm stroke and has 5-stage spring preload-adjustable rear connected to a rigid box-section steel swingarm. The supersport rides on 120/70ZR17(F) and 160/60ZR17(R) tyres with cast aluminium wheels.  This one too comes with ABS as standard but gets a tad larger front disc of 320mm whereas the rear is an identical 240mm.

Plans

Last year,  Yadvinder Singh Guleria, senior vice president of sales and marketing, HMSI had stated, "Globally Honda has a strong legacy of fun riding – be it for fun urban riding, super-sport racing, luxurious touring or even off-roading. Starting April 2019, Honda spearheaded its new premium bike business identity under the silver wing mark branded as Honda BigWing. Honda will unleash phase 2 of its premium business vertical in the new BS6 era. Customers can expect double the fun with 13 iconic global models including five brand new models. This will be supported by exclusive Honda BigWing network for sales and service in 75 cities."We believe Honda India could look at manufacturing these motorcycles in India to price them competitively against its rivals in the segment.