The Honda Scooters

Honda's entry to Indian market was with scooters. Way back in 1980s, Honda came with Kinetic and launched the Kinetic Honda scooters. Later, in the early 2000s, Honda came in as independent manufacturer. This time again they launched the Activa as their first vehicle in India.
At the time when Activa was launched, the scooter market was almost dead. There were not many who preferred scooters. The motorcycle market had just started booming. At the launch of Activa, a TVS senior product developer was present. He went and asked a Honda official if they were sure of selling the Activa in a market where the scooter demand was almost dead? The Honda official firmly answered the TVS guy, "If you feel that the scooter market in India is dead then you don't really know your own market."
This said it all. Honda was here to rewrite the rules of Indian market. The Activa, since it was launched, has been a super hit seller for Honda. It was true that at the period of its launch, the demand for scooters was too less but Honda knew the market well and they were sure that if the customers were given a piece of excellence, then it was sure to sell like a hot cake.
So what was it about this Activa that made it such a super hit? I personally own one Activa and I can proudly say that it has everything that makes a scooter a superhit scooter! The Activa has 102cc engine which is just butter smooth. The refinement levels in the engine were unmatched when it was launched. The engine produces about 7 horsepower and is capable of doing speeeds of about 90km/h without much of vibrations. The design of the scoot is quite subtle and appeals almost everyone. Its not a particularly age group oriented or sex oriented vehicle. Its made for all which is one reason why it is loved by all. The Activa is easily flickable in the traffics and a smooth handler. The boot space under the seat is enough to house a helmet and some more stuff. This lends quite a good utility to the scooter. There isn't really anything to complain about in the Activa. And this was the reason for it to become a really good scooter.
After the superb success of Activa, Honda has launched three more scooters in the Indian market. Apart from the geared Eterno, all the scooters have been hot seller. Its not that the Eterno was failure. Even this geared offering did fairly enough to survive the market where motorcycles were in demand like anything. And Honda hasn't yet stopped the production of any of its variants launched in India. This is creditable and hats off to Honda for their success in India. More from the Honda scooters and the bikes coming soon....

Inside news!

The other day I was a Honda dealership for some work. Talking with a senior person in the office, I came to know about Honda's big bike plan with confirmation. The first bike that will make it to India from the international range will be the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade. I'll be putting up more information on the CBR1000RR soon. Till then I would like to tell you guys that I recently laid my hands on the CBF Stunner that Honda recently launched in the 125cc segment in India.
The first impressions about the bike are too good. The bike looks awesome. Its very sporty. The 125cc engine with a new 5 speed gearbox seems to be promising one. Haven't really ridden it enough to evalute, but I'll be back with my own ride report soon. Till then, ride safe!

Many know, for those who dont....

Most of the people visiting this blog will be Honda fans or bike worshippers. For those who dont know much about international bikes, I'd like to show what we might see roaming around on the streets of India soon : Honda CBR1000RR!!!

Honda's big plans

Honda launched their CBF Stunner in the past month. And at the launch they made somethings clear; their intentions. Honda seems to have big plans for India. With the sporty CBF coming, I can definitely say that Honda are looking at expanding their areas in India. Its not just commuting bikes for them anymore in India.
Honda has declared that they will launch a big bike in this very financial year.And by big bike, they meant something in the range of above 800cc. Now this keeps us wondering what exactly can we expect from Honda? There are 2 bikes on cards- Honda VFR or the Honda CBR1000RR. I didnt specify which VFR for the obvious reason that Honda havent yet declared the exact version of the new VFR. It is being speculated that the new VFR will be 1000cc bike unlike the 800 cc current bike. And this 1000cc might be V5. Yes, you read it correct, a V5 is on the cards!
More updates soon....

More info on CBF Stunner....

You can log on to CBF Stunner blog here for more info on this bike :
www.hmsicbf.blogspot.com

Honda CBF Stunner

After a brief history of how Honda came to India and Honda's current line-up, let me tell you something more about the CBF Stunner which was recently launched in India.

The CBF Stunner is basically the Shine. It has the same engine as that of the Shine. But now Honda has made the bike a much more sportier one. Honda India had lacked a lot in the designing department in India with their bikes, viz. Unicorn and Shine. I personally had loved the Unicorn's design but that was not the case most other Indians. Honda have done some cosmectic changes to the Unicorn since its launch but nothing really considerable.

Anyways, coming back to the Stunner. Its a brilliant looking bike. The quarter fairing is just too good and suits the bike. The rear sets have finally come to the bike. Also, a 5th gear means a lot better gearing on the Stunner. The gearing on the Shine was the only negative point on that bike. And that seems to be taken care of now.

Thats a brief intro for the bike. More as I ride her!

Honda's entry in India

Honda, the Japanese major, made its first entry in India way back in 1980s. They came in India in a venture with Kinetic and Hero. The Kinetic Honda scooter was their first offering in the market. This scooter did exceptionally well at that time. Hero Honda had offering in the geared motorcycle segment. The CD100 was their first offering which again was a hit at that time. The CD100's updated version was in sale till recent times.

With time, many scooters started rolling in and Kinetic Honda faded away. The venture between Kinetic motors and Honda broke, and from there, Kinetic Honda scooter dissappeared. Hero Honda still sells by the brand name, though Honda arent supplying nething to Hero any more.

Honda made their independent debut in India few years ago with the Activa. The Activa was again, or rather is again, a superhit. It became the highest selling scooter in India in no time.

Honda's first offering in the motorcycle segment came in the form of Unicorn. This bike again was a fantstic one. The looks of the bike didnt appeal to the masses much and so it never got a chance of becoming highest selling bike. But still, it was the best option in 150cc category till recent times. I say till recent times since Yamaha launched a wonderful bike in that segment recently. And I dont think I need to explain more on those line. For further information on that bike please refer http://www.r15exclusive.blogspot.com/. Anyways, Honda later on came out with two more scooters, the Dio and the Eterno. The Dio was targetted towards the youth. And once again Honda scored fantastically with this offering. The Eterno could not fare well. The reason was its bulky character. Though it was a great scooter, it failed. And probably that was the only failure that Honda had in India. The Shine was launched by Honda in the 125 cc category. The Shine was again a great bike in its own class.

After all these commuters and scooters, it was time for Honda to grow up their range. And now Honda has a new model lined up. More updates soon!