37 replies to this topic

[Revmaster]

The stakes are getting higher by the day in the Indian two wheeler bazaar. The CBR250R pushed the goalpost for the rest of the field, but didn’t quite enthrall the enthusiasts the way it was expected to. Also, the advent of the Pulsar 200NS would mean some more attrition from Honda’s 250, and a further reduction in the already dwindling sales. The thing is, the mainstream Indian bike enthusiast’s aspirations have shifted to more performance than what the 250 singles currently on sale could muster. That fact, along with a growing affinity of the global bike market towards smaller engined, less intimidating  motorcycles has made Honda work on a 400cc twin, reports Young Machine, a Japanese magazine.

The new 400cc bike, to be called the CBR400R will be positioned between the CBR600RR and the CBR250R. The magazine has also published an artist’s impression of the bike on its cover page.

The new bike will be powered by a parallel twin, which will be developed from the same family as the CBR250R’s single. Peak power output from the engine is expected to be 50bhp, double that of the 250R. That figure spells ‘Bulls-eye’ when you talk about the requirements of the Indian bike enthusiast. A capability to reach a genuine 200km/h, a balanced riding posture, reasonable ground clearance, sporty styling and a price tag that doesn’t make fun of us Indians’ diminutive salaries – that’s the recipe for success in the segment that Honda eyes, especially in the Indian context.

The CBR400R- as illustrated by Young Machine Magazine.

With the recent launch of the Dream Yuga, Honda has made its serious intentions about the Indian market very clear. And don’t be mistaken, for they want to be seen as leaders not just in the bread and butter commuter segment, but also in the performance bracket, to have that desirability halo levitating right above their head. There is, indeed a very strong possibility of the aforementioned bike making it to India, as Industry sources close to us have unequivocally revealed that the Japanese major is readying something above its 250cc offering for the Indian market.

Another reason why we think that the new 400cc has a strong possibility for India is that the Indian rivals Bajaj are extremely upbeat about the 350cc Pulsar which is expected to be built on top of the similar engined KTM 350, due in 2013.  Honda is currently the leader in terms of affordable performance with its 250R, a position it wouldn’t want to concede, especially in the light of its reinvigorated commitment to India as a growth market.  

The earlier gen CBR400RRwas a gem of a bike. We did a comparo of the machine with a Ninja 250R, elsewhere on the site, and the Honda simply blew its opponent away. We strongly believe that a rider friendly, well priced and well stylized 400 twin is the need of the hour for the Indian bike enthusiast. And if it’s coming from a brand like Honda, the success could almost be guaranteed.

Has the real Indian bike enthusiast outgrown the 180s and the 250s of the world? Would the CBR400R be the right product for India, or there still aren't enough volumes in the segment? What do you think? Do let us know.

Via: Young Machine Magazine

View the full article

[SVIJAY]

Next we want inline 4 not twins pls......

[pulsurge]

^^Me too want a 4 cylinder. But on the brighter side- an affordable 400 twin would be surely welcome.

[Revmaster]

Call me a wuss, but I would rather have a practical, reasonably powerful twin for daily use, and for the occasional highway trip as well. Four cylinders especially in the Indian driving conditions sound more like overkill. Have ridden plenty of big bikes, and they aren't particularly suited to our road conditions and traffic situations.

[pulsurge]

Emotions never give an eye to "PRACTICALITY" Amitbhai.....its just for that exhaust note that only a 4 pod can make

[Revmaster]

The real question is, would it work in terms of volumes if it were 4 cyl bike for more than 6 lakh rupees. We're trying to understand whether it makes sense for Honda, or for any other bike maker for that matter to bring such a bike to India. We'll probably hear a lot more woohoos! for bigger bikes, but the number of people who walk into the showrooms would be much less. A lot of us may say that we'd rather prefer a 4 cylinder option, but probably we won't go out and buy it. In the real world, most of us would go for a sub 5 lakh 2 cylinder option before going Full Monty.

[arn]

sub 5 L 2 pot 400 = way overpriced

Sub 3, now that begins to make sense.

But to wipe the market = sub 2.5. And that's do able.

[pulsurge]

arn, on 23 May 2012 - 05:36 PM, said:

But to wipe the market = sub 2.5. And that's do able.

And thats impossible with a Honda...they have well shown with the 250R and the 150R!

[rahul_rn]

2.5 doable knowin honda no..

[Revmaster]

I Agree with Arn. Its doable. Needs some will, and they need to develop their local resource pool.

[arn]

pulsurge, on 23 May 2012 - 06:04 PM, said:

And thats impossible with a Honda...they have well shown with the 250R and the 150R!

They could have well priced the CBR250R at 2, still substantially cheaper than it's only competitor, and sold almost as many units. But they did not. There is a limit to what they could drop the price for the 150. A small I4 will cost just fractionally less than a big I4, may not make economic sense. The original Jap I4 and V4 400s were just a shade cheaper than their 600 and 1000cc counterparts.

If only they could think in terms of making the NX700 here sub 3L....

[parimal1981]

Even though I am still coming out of shock at the Petrol Price hike today and thinking how I would start to earn a heck of a lot more (already circulated my CV and knocking at the doors of each and every competitors of my present employer) a 400 I4 around 4.5 Lac and I am sold for it. (wishful thinking I dont know but.....) Even a parallel twin at a lac lesser and I am still up for it. Bottomline is I am all for a neat 400cc multipod machine from Honda.

Regards
Parimal

[pulsurge]

US$ cost of Ninja: 3999= 2,16,000 (Carb version)- considering the cost of EFi, lets make it 2,50,000/-
US$ cost of CBR: 3999= 2,16,000 (Non-ABS).

I feel people make a miscalculation when comparing the cost of these 2 in US. The first critieria taken into view is the Indian prices i.e. 3L+ and then they will equate the price of the CBR to the Ninja in the US. Effectively its a full $1000 less when compared to the Indian price. Not considering that the logistics cost of getting a Thailand manufactured motorcycle to the US will be on the higher side when compared to India- be it a CKD or a CBU and applies for both bikes selling in the US. The very same costs would apply to the Ninja in India since its not manufactured here (though the logistics should be on the lower side- GREEDY BAJAJ AUTO). But the CBR being a local manufactured motorcycle and cost cutting so clearly evident- definitely doesn't command the price of its US counterpart (they have to accomodate the higher rate of labour too).

To add I just look at the R15 V2 and think what more does the CBR have apart from the added displacement. The Yamaha simply screams quality all over it. And talking of the CBR150R- it looks like Honda have gone one step lower in quality if we consider the 250R.

[arn]

Labour? The US bike is not made or ***embled in the US. I did not know US duties are the same as India.They also have 0 free services which are included in the cost here, so the US consumer straightaway pays almost 750$ more by the time the third service is done. Parts which cost a pittance here cost a heck of a lot more there too.


The US customer is paying a cool 2000$ more than the Indian customer if you count the service prices as well. I feel people miscalculate when they do not take these substantial hidden costs into account.

Plus, when people vote with their money, we all know what importance is given to perceived Yamaha quality (where the ageing  european YZF125 bodywork was fobbed off with minor changes as "new"), for just a few ccs more.

[pulsurge]

Thanks Doc for the knowledge...had no idea about it

The R125 might be ageing and the R15 maybe a redesigned derivative of the bike- but it still looks so awesome. Standing side by side one is forced to compare the fit and finish of the two and scratch one's head thinking.