Hoping to see some quick course correction from Honda - for what looked like one of the most promising moves for India's big bike market looks to have turned out to be one of the worst executed ones in recent times.

BHPian CrazY_DriVer recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

"Fool me once, shame on you.

Fool me twice, shame on me.

Fool me three times, shame on both of us"

So now five times?  That's the story of the Honda Bigwing - the seperate premium network created under Honda’s Silver Wing-Mark to cater exclusively to the brand’s more premium offerings since 2019. Since then the brand has seen five overpriced launches - all market flops that resulted in big price corrections and even an abandoned launch!

1. Honda CB500X

• Launched: March 2021
• Launch Price: 6.87L
• Relaunched: February 2022
• Price reduction: 1.1L (16% on ex showroom)

BigWing started the trend with a massive 1.1L reduction in February 2022. Priced too optimistic, the vehicle price was slashed to sell off inventory and later discontinued.

2. Honda CBR 1000 RR-R

• Launched: August 2020
• Launch Price: 33L
• Relaunched: April 2022
• Price reduction: 10L (30% on ex showroom)

Next in line was the flagship supersport - with an unheard off 10L price cuts in April 2022. A couple of units were sold and no stocks were imported afterwards.

3. Honda CB300F

• Launched: August 2022
• Launch Price: 2.26L
• Relaunched: December 2022
• Price reduction: 64k (28% on ex showroom)

Most shocking price cut was of the CB300F within 4 months of launch with a massive slash after the market reception turned out to be a damp squib for Honda.

4. Honda CB500F

• Launched: Classified?
• Launch Price: ~6.5L onroad

Of the five bikes in the list, this would be the most secretive one - with just five bikes imported and sold at a high price of around 6.5L onroad. There was no official launch, all five bikes imported for showcase were disposed to owners and prospective owners were promised a launch in the early 2023, which never happened.

Honda probably realizing that it doesn't stand a chance even with the usual price cuts?

5. Honda CB300R

• Launched: January 2022 (BS6 + CKD version)
• Launch Price: 2.77L
• Relaunched: October 2023
• Price reduction: 37k (13% on ex showroom)

Latest in the list is the Honda CB300R with a price revision, possibly as a response to the latest launches from Triumph and TVS.

To make matters worse - I hear the dealer network is very unhappy. H'ness sales are keeping the showrooms running but its sales have not been a patch on the RE figures as once expected - and to make matters worse - Honda India has not received any stocks of imported bikes in 2023. I had visited the showrooms back in March for myself and recently for a friend and the sales guys admit they are fed up of answering stock and delay queries from customers. The stocks of the popular CBR650R and Africa Twin are expected only in Q2 2024!

With this history - the question is if it is worth buying any new products from Honda Bigwing? Those who are willing to pay the typical Honda premium with which the products are being launched are likely to repent their decision within a few months - either with massive price reductions or product discontinuation.

What is the way forward? Hoping to see some quick course correction from Honda - for what looked like one of the most promising moves for India's big bike market looks to have turned out to be one of the worst executed ones in recent times.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I also have an aftermarket slip-on exhaust planned soon.

BHPian Xaos636 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Service + Fork oil change + A few Goodies

So I ran all the way to my trusted Highlander Ventures in Bangalore for Fork oil replacement. Went with the same 10W stock grade as I felt comfortable with it. Used All Balls Racing oil seal and dust seal kits as they are superior from stock, I was told.

Next up was the way too rusted front caliper bolts. As these were cheaper in India, I did not get this from the US along with spark plugs. After a bit of wait, Honda Big Wing Topline Cochin once again helped me to get the needed spares and we were up with the task.

I was using DP brake pads and I felt it wasn't up to the mark. I had a pair of EBC HH pads with me, so I thought along with a caliper overhaul, I will replace the DP with EBC and keep the DP as a backup for now.

Along with this, we changed the engine oil and air filter too. The condition of a 6k km run air filter was pathetic, to say the least. I went for stock type because of the unavailability of BMC air filter, but not anymore as stocks were available. Did the air filter change from Bangalore along with fork oil change and oil change + brake overhaul done from my friend's workshop, F Motors in Cochin?

The condition of the air filter after around 5 months of usage.

The new BMC air filter. Planning to clean this every 3k km from now.

From the trip from Bangalore. @kp and his brother on the RS230 had joined this trip.

Riding with riding pants was difficult as the knee area refused to stick onto the smooth tank surface. Tech Spec was always in the plans and finally, I got my hands on it.

The oil change. Continued with Motul 7100.

Finally a parting pic. Along with this, what is planned for the rest of the year is below, based on importance/priority.

1. RCS19 Corsa Corta.
2. An aftermarket slip-on exhaust. (Finally!!)

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Things did not go as per plan after selling the 650F as the car buying plans went through the drain pretty quickly and unexpectedly too.

BHPian Xaos636 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

End of the era with the CBR650F.

I am as surprised as most of you who are reading this. I decided to part ways with the 650F after finding a dream car at a comfortable price point and since I had to arrange funds, decided to let go off the 650F. Things did not go as per plan after selling the 650F as the car buying plans went through the drain pretty quickly and unexpectedly too.

This guilt feeling of letting the perfect 650 go from my hands and not getting the thing I wanted, I decided to stay in the CBR family and go for the big one. Just in time, a very close friend had a perfect bike, but he was in 2 minds whether to sell or not and I jumped at the opportunity. He was out of station for quite sometime and after a long negotiation, he decided to let it go.

Before that, I am happy to share that the CBR650F will remain in Team BHP family with our doctor friend, @alphadog who struck a deal with me and handed over the keys last weekend. Congrats doctor on the bike and I am pretty sure you are going to love it.

So here is the upgrade from a CBR to another CBR. Except the CBR150R, I have bought all other CBRs sold in India and Honda, better keep me happy.

Here is my new, old 2013 CBR 1000RR, Repsol edition. More details on a new thread:

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.