Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) recently teased a small capacity adventure bike, which will be revealed in India on August 19, 2021. The motorcycle is likely to be based on the Honda Hornet 2.0 platform. In fact, it was in October 2020, when carandbike exclusively brought you this news. Atsushi Ogata, president, CEO and MD, HMSI, told carandbike that Honda had extensively invested in the Hornet 2.0 platform and has plans to explore options in terms of new models, based on the same platform. Video grabs from the teaser video reveal that the bike gets an LED headlight, similar to the Hornet 2.0, a semi-fairing, knuckle guards and split-seats.
Also Read: Honda Trademarks Name For 200 cc Adventure Bike In India
(The upcoming bike from Honda is confirmed to be a small-capacity ADV)
One of the new models on the cards was a small-capacity adventure bike, which was to be more of a crossover motorcycle, based on the then newly launched Hornet 2.0. In fact, HMSI had trademarked the name 'NX200' in India back in April 2021, which is likely to be the name of the upcoming model. The Honda NX200, even if it makes it to production, may not be a hard-core off-road oriented model, but a soft-roader, or crossover, built for tarmac duties, but with limited off-road and adventure capability. In fact, Honda's NX series has been offered on sale in overseas markets, as crossover, or dual-sport models.
Also Read: Exclusive: Honda May Launch A 200 cc ADV Based On Hornet 2.0 Platform
(The video grab here shows a fat dual-sport rear tyre and a plastic engine bash plate)
The Honda Hornet 2.0 gets a 184.4 cc engine which puts out 17 bhp at 8,500 rpm and 16.1 Nm of peak torque at 6,000 rpm and is paired to a 5-speed gearbox. The engine gets Honda's programmed fuel injection with 8 on-board sensors which constantly inject optimum fuel and air mixture for better efficiency and performance. We can expect the same engine on the NX200, maybe with a slightly different tuning.
(The new ADV is likely to be built on the same platform as the Honda Hornet 2.0)
Expect the new ADV to have slightly longer suspension travel and dual-sport wheels/tyres to give it an 'adventure' flavour as opposed to a street bike. If the bike is indeed a 200 cc ADV, then it will go up straight against the Hero Xpulse 200, which hasn't had a direct rival so far, but has been tremendous popularity among adventure enthusiasts, especially those on a budget.
When launched, we expect the Honda NX200 to be priced at around Rs. 1.1 lakh to Rs. 1.2 lakh (ex-showroom).
