With the increasing competition in the Indian market, thanks to recent launches like the Yamaha R15, the market is set to redefine the 150cc segment altogether. While many only knew about the peppy 150cc machines sold in neighboring Asian countries, all we got in
India was the likes of the Hero Honda CBZ – which for its time was a great bike and still is, but not to the level of performance and handling that its
firang counterparts like the CBR 150 offered.
When Honda decided to launch a wholly owned subsidiary in India in the form of Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI), the expectations were high. And they delivered by resurrecting the scooter market with the Activa and the Dio. However, when the news started spreading about the first motorcycle that would roll out from HMSI, the expectations sky rocketed. Many enthusiasts were disappointed though. They expected something as muscular and meaty as a CBZ, but what was launched was a bike that was more of a commuter 150cc with a puny body and comfortable city-oriented riding dynamics.
However, with the market shifting focus from commuter 150cc bikes to sportier dynamics (R15 / RTR160), Honda too has decided to join the party. Later this month, Honda will unveil the new CBF machine, which I speculate will be a 150cc. Here are the teaser images for you…
2 comments:
Pardon me for my ignorance, isnt the RTR a 160 CC and not a 150 CC bike?
Good for us desi deprived bikers if Honda jumps into this scene with a stunner, err! stunning machine :)
Yes. Sorry for the typo. Rectified.
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