The Honda X-Blade was launched in 2018. It was based on the CB Hornet 160R.

Honda 2-Wheelers appears to have pulled the plug on the X-Blade. The bike is no longer listed on the official website, which suggests that it has been discontinued.

The Honda X-Blade was launched in 2018. It was based on the CB Hornet 160R. It had a sporty design with a sharp-looking headlamp and tank extensions.

The X-Blade was powered by a 163cc single-cylinder engine producing 13.67 BHP and 14.7 Nm. The engine was paired with a 5-speed gearbox.

Initially, the X-Blade was offered with a front disc brake and a drum brake at the rear. However, later iterations of the bike got a rear disc brake. It had a conventional telescopic fork at the front and a mono-shock at the rear.

The motorcycle is very refined & gives great fuel efficiency both in the city and on the highway.

BHPian Bismaya recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The Need

Back in 2019, I started my first job as IT Professional and after a few months of office commutes on my beloved Shogun & Splendor, I decided to look for something newer, long-lasting & sporting recent hardware and at the same time was hassle-free and economical.

I have been using this bike for almost 3.5 years and the experience is mostly hassle-free and this bike has been a great reliable commuter and occasional tourer, especially during COVID and WFH days. It sits between the Honda CB Unicorn and the CB Hornet 160R, while trying to be a chimaera of sorts and that is where it loses out on, attempting to be the jack of all trades and master of none. Best ridden in the Urban Jungle, especially if you live in a Metro.

Shortlisted Bikes: Rs 1 Lakh Budget

• Pulsar 150 Neon
• Pulsar 125
• Hero Glamour
• Suzuki Gixxer 155 Carb

With the above money in hand, I started searching for bikes in the price bracket and the requirements were simple:

• Front Disc (no optional)
• 45-50kmpl average economy
• Optional ABS
• Long & Wider Seat
• Good Headlight Visibility
• Carb, no Fi.

What you'll like

1. Sharp, stylish, ergonomically designed, futuristic impression-styled persona and commanding road presence.
2. Decent quality stock tyres, MRF Zappers offer good grip compared to other OEM fittings in the same segment. No issues of skid, drifting or any falls yet.
3. Wide and Long Seat.
4. Engine Refinement, low and mid-range torque.
5. Great Fuel Efficiency in City & Highways.
6. The impressive throw from the Robo-face LED Headlamp.
7. Instrumentation (Console, Switchgear etc).
8. Sharp Bite from the Brakes.
9. High-Speed Stability.
10. Easy maintenance & excellent after-sales & service.
11. Factory Fit Hazard Lights and Gear Position Indicator.

What you'll dislike

1. Wooden feel of the Front Brake Lever.
2. Stiff Rear Suspension, even at the softest setting.
3. Tight space leverage and manoeuvrability, thanks to the flat handlebar.
4. Rear Set Foot Pegs and the committed rider's triangle.
5. Skinny Front Tyre (in the interest of FE) and lack of the Frontend feel.

Ending the post with some parting shots of my bike. Full-blown ownership review coming soon.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Honda is already playing a losing game and to a point where they are not selling anything other than Activas.

BHPian Bismaya recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I have been following this particular YouTube channel for a while now and I find a lot of his videos quite genuine and helpful as an enthusiast.

Being an owner of a Honda X-Blade, I am well aware with lack of availability of parts for some of the less selling Honda Motorcycles (anything that isn't an Activa, Shine or Unicorn).

I have had such a similar experience with my friend's 2021 Activa 125 BS6 when his kid brother accidentally broke the left mirror in parking. We scouted around the city with Honda retailers (some of the biggest suppliers who have been known to stock spares which are impossible to find), only to find that the spares aren't available for the scooter outside ASC.

We had to place an order with SGBL Honda, Cuttack who procured the mirror for our scooter.

As can be seen in the video, the person clearly explains that he is not able to find the oil filter for a Honda Livo 110cc, BS6 outside an ASC and he is informed repeatedly that the spare is "not in stock" which seems typical when they are not willing to sell the part when you are not servicing the motorcycle with them.

We have the liberty to buy the motorcycle, change oil, refil petrol or even retrofit tyres and accessories from outside, then why such a hostile attempt at monopolizing the spares market for something like an "oil filter".

Honda is already playing a losing game and to a point where they are not selling anything other than Activas. Yes, indeed. The showrooms here are stopped ordering any inventory for anything other than the scooter because of the fear of losing out on sales.

And now HMSI has to stoop to a new low where they won't make the parts available outside ASC. Guess what? If someone isn't satisfied with the ASC servicing, they reserve the right to service their bikes from outside.

This situation reminds me on a time when I used to hear about Honda Cars India not selling their parts for Brio and Amaze outside their service centres.

Would love to hear if anyone has had such an experience.

Here's what BHPian aim120 had to say on the matter:

Here in Bangalore they do sell spares, at least for stuff like activa, aviator parts. They all first insist on getting it service with a ASC but I didn't budge. Hell I could even manage to get service manuals from them.

Here's what BHPian sagarpadaki had to say on the matter:

Get the part number and order it from the numerous Honda spare resellers in Bangalore.

This shop in Bangalore can get one any part of any of the main stream scooters or bikes within a day or two if he does not have in stock. Bajaj, Honda, Suzuki, RE, TVS, Yamaha etc.

Here's what BHPian abhi9044 had to say on the matter:

If I'm not wrong Honda has some spare parts dealers, which sell all parts in retail, similar to MGP outlets.

For me, since I own a Hero Maestro, I have the flexibility of using either a Honda or a Hero part, and most of the time, I've been using Honda parts since Hero spare parts dealer isn't interested in selling small parts. I buy them off the HASS or Honda spares outlet.

Here's the link to find the parts outlet.

Abhishek.

Here's what BHPian Captain Slow had to say on the matter:

Faced this same b.s attitude from VFM Honda.

I was ready to give them the bike's chassis number and bike's number to sell me the part but this was not enough. They just refused to sell me any part and wanted me to bring the bike in for any part replacement and insisted that they would do it for me.

This is the reply VFM Honda Bangalore gave me when I wanted to buy parts for a CB350. This reply was given to me by one of their top management guys.

Not sure what the issue is here. We do not sell spares individually as these are OEM parts and need to be installed by a certified Honda technician. Making duplicates is not a concern as you can very well do that after install as well.

Please feel free to email me about any other further..

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