Rented a Honda CB200X for 24 hrs: I might end up buying this motorcycle

This is a good option for sedate riders. As a bonus, its fuel efficiency is also great.

BHPian madhavgpai recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

There's always another package at ~15% more purchasing cost. If there isn't, one shall be launched in that price range in the immediate future. Take 2-3 such steps and the ownership costs double. Not everyone wants to do that. Especially people like me who just want to add a bit of fun to our commutes and get around the big city we are living in.

This bike, CB200X doesn't seem attractive on the spec sheet like many have pointed out. But this is a commuter supreme. Yes, it is a Hornet with a different handlebar and faring. Yes, it is mostly about the feel, but what is wrong with the feel? The most trending Indian Motorcycle brand today survived several decades on pure feels.

I rented CB200X for 24 hours, did some 100 kms and a couple of hours in the notorious Bangalore traffic and on a short highway ride. My intention was to get an elaborate test ride.

At 5000 rpm in 5th gear in a completely relaxed manner, it cruises at 80kmph with plenty of power available just a twist of the throttle away for a quick overtake. If you tour below 90 kmph, you could tour on this, potentially. Not that you have to do it. I personally like to tour in my car.

The upright ergonomics is a blessing to my lower back. If you are in your twenties or early thirties, or if you are an Indian motorcycle Youtuber, you may not know what I'm talking about.

And yet you get a feeling that you are sitting inside the bike, in the pit, that sweet spot where the whole bike pivots around your seat in bad patches to do its suspension work. Comfort levels, I rate decently high.

I am 170 cms in height and I could stand comfortably through sections when my bum got a little bit sore. How many bikes can let you do that?! Again, not that you have to do this, you could also stop for a chai.

The up close handlebar gives me room to turn to see my blind spots in dense traffic, without having to leave throttle or clutch. This is an issue for me on bikes with a sporty stance. Maybe the Youtubers are very flexible, but I am a Software Engineer.

The engine and the gearbox were buttery smooth, even on a rental. Enough said. Honda does what Honda does best.

It is a looker and a head-turner (for this segment). Exclusivity is guaranteed thanks to the market which is mostly obsessed with bikes that look and turn like their great grandfather's sluggish heavy bike.

If you are a sedate rider who wants comfort (for the road), does not care about jumping over rocks or crossing rivers on your bike, or does not care for triple-digit speeds, this is a great option for you. As a bonus, it gives you great fuel efficiency. Because I checked.

Headlights are decent for the city. For the highway, you will need to add something more.

So what do I miss on this bike - Rear ABS - that's it. Only that. I might still end up buying this bike, it remains on my list.

I can't talk about Pillion comfort because I did not try with a pillion. And I would mostly be riding the bike without a pillion.

P.S. My bike hunt is still on and very slow because getting test rides of the bikes I want to try seems to be tough. Mainly because I keep turning down unregistered and uninsured bikes (therefore illegal?), or because the showrooms simply don't care because they are hitting their quotas.

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