Honda has launched its naked 200cc offering dubbed as "Hornet 2.0" in the very hot Indian market with competition from some very capable products like the TVS Apache 200 4v and the Bajaj Pulsar NS200. The bike comes as a replacement to the now-discontinued Honda CB Hornet 160R. It is priced at Rs 1,26,921 (ex-showroom Delhi), at this point the motorcycle carries a premium of Rs 29,260 than the top-end DLX variant of 160cc Hornet.
Honda Hornet 2.0: Design, Features & Specifications
Design
Honda has done really well in the design front carrying forward the older hornet platform but with some major changes making the motorcycle much more appealing. The LED lighting system on the front and also at the back makes a strong case in design for the new hornet. A body-colored belly pan, blacked-out engine unit split seats and a muscular tank does stand out and it ought to grab eyeballs on the streets.
| Length | 2047 mm |
| Width | 783 mm |
| Height | 1064 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1355 mm |
| Ground clearance | 167 mm |
| Seat length | 590 mm |
| Kerb weight | 142 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity | 12 L |
Engine
The 200 cc segment in India is highly performance-oriented, the buyers seeking a motorcycle in this segment look for good mechanicals for the intracity commute and good performance for rare long rides on the highways. The engine thus plays a major part. The Hornet 2.0 comes with a 184cc, air-cooled, PGM-FI HET(Honda eco technology unit) which uses 8 onboard sensors to monitor and deliver good fuel efficiency. This engine comes with a 5-speed transmission.
The engine produces 16.8 PS of power and 16.1Nm peak torque, which to be honest is disappointing. As similar figures are produced by Pulsar NS160 which is a younger sibling of Hornet 2.0’s prime competitor. These figures place it lower than the competition on the performance front.
Underpinnings
The motorcycle features disc brakes on both the wheels with a single-channel ABS which is again a let down on the mechanical front. Honda boasted about performance in terms of distance covered (rather weird) with a distance of 200 m covered in just over 11 seconds. It has a golden colored USD front fork whereas the rear gets a mono-shock suspension setup.
Features
It is not really a standout performer in terms of feature list but still manages to do well as it houses an all-digital display for speedometer, odometer, gear position indicator, LED treatment for the headlight and taillights.
Unfortunately, it does not get a dual-channel ABS, which as discussed earlier is a hard pill to swallow.
On the positive note though, The Hornet will come with a 6-year warranty package which is new for the industry. With 3 year standard and a 3-year optional extension.
Variants
The Hornet 2.0 is available only in one variant which is priced at Rs 1,26,345 (ex-showroom). This is again not very attractive considering differences on the performance front in these motorcycles.
Author’s Take
This was the very first time Honda organized a digital launch and based on all the info that we have the bike does not really seem to live up to the hype that it had created. Despite being pitched as a 200 cc bike, the performance figure and feature list suggest it is a ore suitable rival to more affordable worthy VFM like Hero Xtreme 160R, Suzuki Gixxer, and TVS Apache 160 RTR. However, we will give our final verdict after riding the bike. Till then stay tuned to Gaadify which keeps you updated with the automobile world.