You read it first on MotorBeam. It’s known to all of you that Honda showcased the CBR500R and CBR650F at the 2014 Auto Expo. Much to the anticipation of everyone, including us, were excited and as per inputs from our sources we expected these bikes to be launched in the sub-continent in the near future. The Honda CBR500R was expected to be launched later this year with the CBR650F coming in 2015. Expectations were even kept on the CBR300R as it was said to replace the CBR250R. But alas we digged out the truth.
The bad news is that HMSI officials confirmed that the company has no plans of launching the CBR500R and CBR300R for the moment. We know that Honda fans and motorbike enthusiasts would be upset but it’s time to face the truth. Everyone expected Honda to fill up the sub litre-class segment with these bikes but Honda didn’t find the bikes fitting in the Indian market, at least not for this year.
Now the good news is that the Honda CBR650F would be hitting Indian roads just before 2016, probably in the fourth quarter of 2015. The on-road price will be under Rs. 7 lakhs. Well the wait is too long but it is worth it. The Honda CBR650F comprises of a 4-cylinder, 16-valve engine. This aluminium powerhouse produces a hefty 86 HP power at 11,000 RPM with a peak torque of 63 Nm at 8000 RPM. The bike will be locally assembled in India thereby becoming the first 4-cylinder bike to be come via the CKD route, kudos to Honda.
With no CBR500R and CBR300R on the cards for this year, the CBR250R would be heading the Honda lineup at-least till next year. Wait. That’s not all. We are still not done. We have been keeping an eye on Honda’s moves in the international market and that points that the CBR250R could get new wings. The current version adopts the stylings from the VFR series but the 2014 version totally integrates the CBR series styling. The newly faired CBR250R will be having a new dome with couple of headlamps and a sleeker exhaust. All the other specifications will be unchanged. The 2014 Honda CBR250R was first showcased at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show.
