Honda will introduce a new 150cc commuter motorcycle which will sit below the CB Unicorn and the newly launched Hornet 160. The patent image shows that it is a naked bike.
Honda Motorcycles and Scooter India (HMSI) is developing a new 150cc commuter motorcycle which will be positioned below the CB Unicorn 160 and CB Hornet 160R models. The motorcycle has been patented by the Japanese manufacturer and we have got our hands on the patent image. The new offering is aimed at getting back the customers lost due to the discontinuation of the old Unicorn as the new one has not matched their expectations.
The patented image shows that the upcoming 150cc commuter vehicle is designed according to Honda’s new design language. The naked motorcycle closely resembles the defunct CB Twister as well. The front end looks inspired from the Twister while the rear is identical to the new Shine SP. The alloy wheels come from the newly launched Hornet. The fuel tank along with some other parts looks similar to the new Unicorn. The prime competitor will be the Bajaj Discover and the upcoming cruiser-commuter offering currently under development.
The new 150cc commuter from Honda will get a cost effective pricing with component sharing evident on the model. You can make out the twin rear shocks instead of the more sophisticated monoshock unit. This will also mark Honda’s re-entry into the entry-level 150cc segment which does not have much competition. The bike is also likely to use the same 160cc engine but in a detuned state for higher fuel efficiency.
Honda was aggressive in 2015 with 15 new launches of which the last one was the CB Hornet 160R. The Japanese manufacturer has teased a new brand ‘Navi’ which will debut at the upcoming 2016 Auto Expo. The 150cc segment was positive for Honda only with the Unicorn for the longest time, even though the Dazzler and Trigger did not make the cut. Nonetheless, the Hornet 160 has received a good start. So, an entry-level 150cc commuter from Honda will be interesting to see.
Update – The bike which has been patented is the Honda Verza which is sold in other Asian markets. The motorcycle is powered by a 149.2cc engine that produces 13.03 HP of power.