500cc Honda Bikes Are Coming to India: Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has recently launched the CRF1100L Africa Twin in the Indian market in addition to revealing their upcoming plans for the year 2020. According to recent reports, the brand will be launching its powerful 500cc motorcycle portfolio in India later this year.
Since the Honda CB300R, CBR650R, CB1000R and the Goldwing are already available in India while the 2020 Africa Twin has been recently launched, the brand will further offer the 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade to its customers in the coming days.
As the brand’s current portfolio features a huge gap between the 300cc and the 650cc range, the brand is expected to fill it out with the addition of its 500cc motorcycle lineup which will be brought to India via CKD routes and will cater to various platforms.
At present, the 500cc line up from the brand includes the likes of Honda Rebel 500, CB500F, CBR500R, and the CB500X, all of which have been recently revised with updated engines as well as a host of new cosmetic updates. The Honda CMX500 Rebel is a cruiser motorcycle while the Honda CB500F has been offered a streetfighter stance. The Honda CBR500R is a supersport tourer while the CB500X is an adventure motorcycle.
Powering the Honda CB500F, CBR500R, and the CB500X is a 471cc, liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder engine that is capable of offering maximum power of 47HP and a peak torque of 43Nm. On the other hand, the similar engine on the Rebel 500 is capable of offering 45HP and 44.6Nm. All the four 500cc Honda bikes have been equipped with a slipper clutch while have been returned recently to offer more powerful rides between 3000rpm-7000rpm.
The CB500F, CBR500R and CB500X were updated back in 2018 while the Rebel 500 was officially revealed at the EICMA 2019. The 500cc lineup from the brand is currently responsible for more than 35% of its sales in the European markets. As far as the pricing is concerned, the 500cc Honda bikes are expected to get an ex-showroom price range of around INR 4.50-5.50 lakhs in India.
