[Red Liner]

Honda and value are not words to use in the same sentence when trying to buy one new in India. They will get customers irrespective, that’s the power of the big red wing.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

They will get customers irrespective, that’s the power of the big red wing.

They will, no doubt - but their market share is still insignificant. Just 3% of a tiny market.

I guess they are looking to change all that with the 500 range.

[Xaos636]

Looks like either Honda is giving clues about the future launches, or the admin is posting some random bike pics. But as the rumours are strong, I believe its the former. After posting a few images of CB650R for the past month, now the page has posted an image of the CBR500R. Yes, its their verified page as well. They did reply to a comment on CB650R too. Looks like its indeed coming!

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by Xaos636

Looks like either Honda is giving clues about the future launches, or the admin is posting some random bike pics. But as the rumours are strong, I believe its the former.

Honda has already declared it during the launch of the Africa Twin that four news bikes are incoming, and made in India as well - not assembled.

Nothing left to rumours - the only question is which all bikes? And when?

[Xaos636]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Honda has already declared it during the launch of the Africa Twin that four news bikes are incoming, and made in India as well - not assembled

Yes agree to that. But if you remember, Honda right from 2015 was marketing the CBR650F as made in India or rather with the ‘make in India’ tag all over the press release and during launch time, and only thing that was made in India for the 650F was the saree guard. But the presentation at AT launch which says ‘from CKD to 100% localization’ is what gives me hope this time around.

[MadTitan]

Fast Bikes India was recently in conversation with Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Director, HMSI who confirmed that there are plans to launch these motorcycles in India and they will be produced locally as well. The prices mentioned in the article are quite optimistic though.

Here's the link to the article:
EVO India - Honda to launch sub-500cc motorcycles in India

[ani_meher]

Originally Posted by MadTitan

The prices mentioned in the article are quite optimistic though.

Here's the link to the article:
EVO India - Honda to launch sub-500cc motorcycles in India

You can say that again! Expecting a twin 500cc honda motorcycle to be priced at 3.5L ex showroom is a day dream. Even if they cost around 5L-6L on road, still that is a good price.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by ani_meher

Even if they cost around 5L-6L on road, still that is a good price.

CB500F is a lost cause out of the four options though.

Looks outdated and similar to much smaller siblings. And produces only 50hp. Duke 390 will offer similar performance for half the price.

[Rachit.K.Dogra]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

CB500F is a lost cause out of the four options though.

Looks outdated and similar to much smaller siblings. And produces only 50hp. Duke 390 will offer similar performance for half the price.

Personally for me, CB500X at 5-6 Lakhs should be a good proposition for India. I have some insider hints, and they are pointing to a 'Not So Value' price point. Yes, there is goal to manufacture in India for higher segment bikes, but I don't know with our volumes if Honda will keep pushing it for very long. They will just sell some of these expensive bikes at losses for market image and cover up the costs from millions of Activas that they sell. Just a hint, they are selling some of these bikes already at some decent loss, with a goal to hopefully increase localization in future.

Why is Honda expensive? I don't want to sound like I am defending them or I am a fan boy, but all I can say there are reasons and not just profitability reasons. I have been lucky to get some insider information and all I can say is, Honda does things differently and it costs. Hence they are not able to meet certain price points in India.


Rachit

[samyD]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

And produces only 50hp. Duke 390 will offer similar performance for half the price.

HP figures sound great on paper. But many a times they're not even in our mind when we're test riding a bike. Dukes are great bikes but not for everyone.

There are people who will prefer more refined bikes over dukes even if they make comparatively less hp.

[bf1983]

Originally Posted by samyD

There are people who will prefer more refined bikes over dukes even if they make comparatively less hp.

Agreed. I rode the Duke 390 and the throttle response was so twitchy and aggressive it just didn't suit my style at all. My Z650 is just slightly faster than a duke but it's so much more refined that I was happy to pay the extra difference for it. If I was buying new today and a Honda 500cc bike was selling for 5l about I would happily choose it over a Duke 390. But if it's closer to 6l then I don't think it will be good VFM anymore

[ani_meher]

Originally Posted by bf1983

Agreed. I rode the Duke 390 and the throttle response was so twitchy and aggressive it just didn't suit my style at all.

Agree. Bikes are more than the BHP figures. I too rode 390 and found the riding position to be really uncomfortable with its rearset footpegs. It may suit some people, but not everyone.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by samyD

HP figures sound great on paper. But many a times they're not even in our mind when we're test riding a bike. Dukes are great bikes but not for everyone.

Agreed. Even I wouldn't buy one, thanks to both my friends burning their hands with the reliability of KTMs.

That said - my doubt is on the pricing at which the CB500F would sell, which seems to be a plain motorcycle without much USP, to my eyes. It will be a tough sell if they ask double the price for lesser performance. The others - CBR500R, CB500X and Rebel 500 should do better. The 500X, especially will do well!

Also, Ninja 400 was considered an atrociously overpriced motorcycle at 4.99 lakhs ex-showroom, and most international reviews rate it higher than the CBR 500R.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSc3jtnkt-8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJQB...DPbg&index=262

[samyD]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

That said - my doubt is on the pricing at which the CB500F would sell, which seems to be a plain motorcycle without much USP, to my eyes. It will be a tough sell if they ask double the price for lesser performance. The others - CBR500R, CB500X and Rebel 500 should do better. The 500X, especially will do well!

If the bikes are going to be manufactured locally as is hinted at, they 'can' be priced aggressively. But knowing HMSI, they will not.

If priced with a premium and if the range starts with CB500F, I wonder at what price point will CB500X will end up at.

And to be honest, somewhere in my mind I'm still skeptical about the launch of this 500cc platform bikes. Looking at the current economic upheaval, I expect it to happen much later than anticipated.

[camitesh]

HMSI Sales and Marketing boss confirms no changes to the planned launches of new bikes in 2020. That's optimistic of them. I just hope they price the bikes sensibly given the current scenario and launch somewhere close to the festival season post monsoon after the corona dust settles a bit

https://bikeadvice.in/honda-launches...YH2QxAiVkOo15A