DUCATI STREETFIGHTER V4S
A superbike for the streets
In conversation with Fast Bikes India, Yadvinder Singh Guleria, director, HMSI suggested that Honda is readying a sub-500cc motorcycle range for India. He also added that the motorcycles are ‘already sold abroad’ which quite obviously hints at the CB500 range along with the Rebel 500. Honda is planning to manufacture the range locally which would lead to optimal pricing. If our speculation is correct, the CB500 range – which includes the likes of CB500F, CBR500R and CB500X will be launched in India along with the Rebel 500 which shares the same engine. Speaking of which, all the motorcycles are powered by the same 471cc, parallel-twin, DOHC motor that churns out 50bhp and a healthy 45Nm torque. The figures may not sound substantial when compared to the KTM 390 Duke which features a smaller capacity single yet makes almost the same amount of torque and weighs much less. But we have already ridden the CB500 range in Malaysia and going by initial impressions, we can tell you that these are typical Hondas – supremely refined and very comfortable. The CB500X which is an adventure tourer would be the ideal motorcycle from the range, as it not only offers a comfortable riding position and longer travel suspension, but also fills up the void in the ADV market that ranges from the Hero Xpulse 200, the Royal Enfield Himalayan and the KTM 390 Adventure at one end of the spectrum to the Kawasaki Versys 650 and Suzuki V-Storm 650 at the other. We expect the whole range to be priced between `3.5-3.8 lakh.