[jkdas]

STUNNING PICS: Honda CRF250L coming to India - Rediff Getahead

This could share the CBR's engine maybe in different tune. To cost 1.3lac as per the website.

[TaurusAl]

Yes! How can Honda see their once upon a time partner and now rival Hero the only player in this segment and selling Impulse successfully. Now off-roading segment is looking like getting some attention, and why not ? We need off-roading vehicles even in city limits. Thanks to our wonderfully constructed roads.

Two-wheeler market is slowly transforming for good, wondering when the cruiser segment will get a push.

[kadanaJ]

That bike looks incredibly ugly compared to the Hero Impulse.

Also, they better add a proper back seat, or it'll be a market flop.

[Beast_of_Burden]

Originally Posted by kadanaJ

That bike looks incredibly ugly compared to the Hero Impulse.

Also, they better add a proper back seat, or it'll be a market flop.

Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. As offroaders go it looks all business. However I am not sure the Impulse is doing all that well, it is hobbled by that small engine. Considering how volume driven manufacturers are in their mindset, a pure offroader might not make much sense. In my mind a half-breed is what makes sense - good touring ability with some off-road capability. A smaller crosstourer if you will with a ~ 450 cc motor. Yes, two seats, minimal fairings and ability to carry luggage. But it will be a long time before anything resembling this will show up as Honda will want to milk the 250 cc "category" for all it's worth.

[theexperthand]

The bike looks good and all purpose. This will address the biggest flaw of Impulse also - a bigger and better engine. 1.3 ex showroom sounds ok, considering that this will not be a volume player.
With all these different launches in different segments, more power to the Indian two wheeler buyers, at last.

[jkdas]

Originally Posted by kadanaJ

That bike looks incredibly ugly compared to the Hero Impulse.

Also, they better add a proper back seat, or it'll be a market flop.

Hero learned stuff from Honda who is afterall the big daddy. One with $ would get this product rather than the Impulse.

[speedy]

Finally Honda sees the light. The 150 of this bike is what Hero corp turned into the Impulse and with Honda themselves bringing in the CRF 250L it will do well. I have ridden my friends 250 and it was real sweet. I am definately looking forward to this bike.

[kolimuttai]

Check this site.
Honda Worldwide | CRF250L

Too much for being an yamaha fan and not getting my hands on a 250.

[roughseas]

Originally Posted by kadanaJ

That bike looks incredibly ugly compared to the Hero Impulse.

Also, they better add a proper back seat, or it'll be a market flop.

The last thing you want when off-roading is another person sitting behind you

You might do good with a cruiser with knobby tyres

[kadanaJ]

Originally Posted by roughseas

The last thing you want when off-roading is another person sitting behind you

True, you wouldn't want that, but you wouldn't be off-roading all the time.

It's more about what makes sense in the Indian market. Do I care if there's space for someone behind me? Probably not, but there are 99 other people who do.

[roughseas]

Originally Posted by kadanaJ

but there are 99 other people who do.

Yes, but I don't think Honda is expecting it to be a motorcycle for the masses, they have the small capacity motorcycles for that.

They are not going to attract many fresh customers with this, only ones who already have the Impulse or were planning to buy one. Faced with the choice between the CRF & the Impulse the only thing going for the impulse is the seat, I cant think of anything else in which the Impulse would be better...maybe range but that's about it.

[IronH4WK]

I think Suzuki also has something similar (or better) in their stables. 20yrs back I bought myself my first bike magazine (2nd hand though) - Cycle World - in which there was this as about a 350cc version if a off-roading bike, the USP of which was being street legal.

If Suzuki enters the Indian market with something like that, Honda and Hero will have tough competition if Suzuki sets a good price!

[roughseas]

Originally Posted by IronH4WK

I think Suzuki also has something similar (or better) in their stables. 20yrs back I bought myself my first bike magazine (2nd hand though) - Cycle World - in which there was this as about a 350cc version if a off-roading bike, the USP of which was being street legal.

If Suzuki enters the Indian market with something like that, Honda and Hero will have tough competition if Suzuki sets a good price!

Sounds like the DR350. Most of the manufacturers have done away with the 350 category, I can only think of KTM which has one at the moment. Suzuki does have a tasty DRZ400 & 250 in their inventory but I doubt if they will every see the light of day here.

[jkdas]

Originally Posted by IronH4WK

I think Suzuki also has something similar (or better) in their stables. 20yrs back I bought myself my first bike magazine (2nd hand though) - Cycle World - in which there was this as about a 350cc version if a off-roading bike, the USP of which was being street legal.

If Suzuki enters the Indian market with something like that, Honda and Hero will have tough competition if Suzuki sets a good price!

Suzuki isnt active in the Indian motor industry like how the competition is IMHO. They they wanna sell those commuter bikes. How many have seen their 150cc's ad on TV?

[proton]

These bikes are not very good prospects in India because they won't fit anyone less than 5ft8 (the avg Indian male is 5ft3, as per WHO data. This model is made in Thailand and the sales have been poor, Thais interested in offroad tending to buy the Indonesia import, the Kawasaki KLX150, with a lower seat height.

Here's a review from a Brit ( 5ft9), and he has problems with the seat!

Honda CRF250 OFF ROAD RIDE REPORT 17TH MAY


Plenty of posts and discussions on golden triangle rider, thaivisa and rideasia forums.