Honda two-wheelers India has launched its most affordable adventure motorcycle called the 'Honda CB 200X'. Priced at Rs 1,44,500 (ex-showroom Gurugram), it is Rs 13,894 more expensive than the Hornet 2.0 on which it is based. It will start arriving in dealerships from September.
Honda CB 200X – Design, Underpinnings and Features
Design-wise, the Honda CB200X looks quite similar to its elder sibling, the Honda CB 500X. It features a muscular front fairing with longer fuel tank extensions, a tinted windscreen, and a few interesting elements like knuckle guard-mounted LED indicators, a tank-mounted key slot, and a fairing-mounted fully digital instrument cluster and LED headlamps.
The new Honda ADV also offers a new bash plate for engine protection, 810mm of (10mm more than the Himalayan) tall seat height, and dual-purpose tires for your thrust for moderate off-roading. Besides, the taller & wider handlebar will also give you better control and help you to be on the saddle for longer times. However, at 167mm, the ground clearance is the same as the naked streetfighter. Even the 12-liter fuel tank has been carried over. The suspension setup and braking system too remain unchanged. That said, it gets the same 276mm-&-220mm disc setup with single-channel ABS and golden inverted front fork-& preload-adjustable rear monoshock as the Hornet 2.0.
Rolling on the same 17-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels as the Hornet 2.0, it gets fatter 110-section front and 140-section rear dual-purpose rubbers.
With all these aforementioned changes, the bike weighs 147kg, just 5kg more than the streetfighter.
Honda CB 200X – Engine
Powering the Honda CB200X is the same 184.4cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, fuel-injected engine with Honda Eco Technology (HET) from the Honda Hornet 2.0. Paired with a 5-speed transmission, this engine makes out 17.26PS at 8500rpm and 16.1Nm at 6000rpm.
Honda CB 200X – Color Options
The bike is available in three color schemes – Pearl Nightstar Black, Sports Red, and Matte Selene Silver Metallic.
Honda CB 200X – Warranty
Honda offers this entry-level ADV with a standard warranty of 3 years, which can be increased by another three years at an additional cost.
Author's Take
The Honda CB 200X locks horns with the Hero XPulse 200 which is Rs 24,000 cheaper than the new Honda ADV. And since Honda hasn't altered its mechanicals, we believe the XPulse 200 will be more off-road-friendly than the Honda CB200X. In fact, it seems more of a touring-themed derivation of the Hornet 2.0. It would have been better if Honda equipped the motorcycle with larger alloy wheels, longer travel suspension, and Bluetooth-enabled connected technology.