[TusharK]

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has launched the 2023 CB200X. The bike is now OBD2 compliant and features a slipper clutch. It is priced at Rs 1,46,999 (ex-showroom, Delhi).



The CB200X is an ADV-style bike featuring a sharp fairing and raised handlebars at the front. The bike gets new graphics and LED lighting.



The CB200X is powered by an 184.4cc single-cylinder engine which now complies with BS6 Phase 2 norms. It churns out 17 BHP @ 8,500 rpm and 15.9 Nm @ 6,000 rpm. It is paired with a 5-speed gearbox via an assist and slipper clutch.



The CB200X rides on a golden upside-down fork and a mono-shock at the rear. The brake setup consists of petal-type discs at the front and rear.

Link to Team-BHP News

[LongDrive lover]

Does it have dual channel ABS or single channel only?

If Honda could launch a similar ADV style bike with CB300F engine, slipper clutch, 6 gears, long travel suspension at around 1.85 - 1.90 lakhs ex-showroom, and also addresses spare parts issue, that may sell well! This is too small an engine for an ADV in the changing biking scenario in the country. Thouh looks-wise, it is beautiful.

[ProLearner]

This although looks good, is just a hornet 2.0 with a cosmetic change. The suspension travel & ground clearance is same which should have been higher.

I have seen very few on the roads, just like the CB500x and Hornet. Honda should bring their better ADVs here from their nice portfolio outside India.

[Govind]

This is interesting and one might even think that Honda will launch the 2023 version of CB500X with the upside-down fork? Will that be at an affordable price tag is another big question!

/Govind

[Darkcloud]

While we wait for the CB500X, Honda is busy offering us this disguised Hornet. I wonder if the CB200X even sells in enough numbers that Honda had decided to upgrade it.

[thunderlads]

Wondering how is Honda marketing this bike as. The adventure segment is getting flooded with many bikes and this one lacks the basics to be called as an adventurer, ground clearance. Also if I am not wrong, this must be the least powered ADV bike. Curious to see if these upgrades help it make good sales figures.

[Black_Star]

Originally Posted by thunderlads

Wondering how is Honda marketing this bike as. The adventure segment is getting flooded with many bikes and this one lacks the basics to be called as an adventurer, ground clearance. Also if I am not wrong, this must be the least powered ADV bike. Curious to see if these upgrades help it make good sales figures.

The way I see it, this is similar to the Yamaha Fazer 250, sort of an adventure tourer, the extra fairings and windscreen protects against the elements better than the naked Hornet 2.0, so while I don't expect this to set the sales chart on fire but it's a decent option to have in the market. Even though I like this motorcycle calling it an ADV feels a bit too much.

PS I personally think the ground clearance is not an issue with the bike. It offers similar ground clearance to the Versys 650 and better than the Versys 1000.

[antz.bin]

So for exactly 23k (or about 15%) more, you can instead get the CB300F instead.

Sounds like a no brainer for me.

Both bikes have similar suspension setups while the 300 has the lower seat height AND more GC as well! Wherever this 184cc ADV can go, the 300 should be able to manage with much more ease.

Honda have done something right with the 300F and should have taken this opportunity to rationalise the 200x pricing as well.

Or maybe this is supposed to be the decoy. The product that makes the other one look much better than it is.

[Black_Star]

Looks like they brought back the Matte Silver Metallic again.

[madhavgpai]

There's always another package at ~15% more purchasing cost.
If there isn't, one shall be launched in that price range in the immediate future. Take 2-3 such steps and the ownership costs double. Not everyone wants to do that. Especially people like me who just want to add a bit of fun to our commutes and getting around the big city we are living in.

This bike, CB200X doesn't seem attractive on the spec sheet like many have pointed out. But this is a commuter supreme. Yes it is a hornet with a different handlebar and faring. Yes it is mostly about the feel, but what is wrong with the feels? The most trending Indian Motorcycle brand today survived several decades on pure feels.

I rented CB200X for 24 hours, did some 100 kms and couple of hours in the notorious Bangalore traffic and on a short highway ride. My intention was to get an elaborate test ride.

At 5000 rpm on 5th gear in a completely relaxed manner, it cruises at 80kmph with plenty of power available just a twist of the throttle away for a quick overtake. If you tour below 90 kmph, you could tour on this, potentially. Not that you have to do it. I personally like to tour in my car.

The upright ergonomics is a blessing to my lower back. If you are in your twenties or early thirties, or if you are an Indian motorcycle Youtuber, you may not know what I'm talking about.

And yet you get a feeling that you are sitting inside the bike, in the pit, that sweet spot where the whole bike pivots around your seat in bad patches to do its suspension work. Comfort levels, I rate decently high.

I am 170 cms in height and I could stand comfortably through sections when my bum got a little bit sore. How many bikes can let you do that?! Again, not that you have to do this, you could also stop for a chai.

The up close handlebar gives me room to turn to see my blind spots in dense traffic, without having to leave throttle or clutch. This is an issue for me on bikes with a sporty stance. May be the Youtubers are very flexible, but I am a Software Engineer.

The engine and the gearbox were buttery smooth, even on a rental. Enough said. Honda does what Honda does best.

It is a looker and a headturner (for this segment). Exclusivity is guaranteed thanks to the market who are mostly obsessed with bikes that look and turn like their great grandfather's sluggish heavy bike.

If you are a sedate rider who wants comfort (for the road), do not caring about jumping over rocks or crossing rivers on your bike, do not care for triple digit speeds, This is a great option for you. As an added bonus, it gives you great fuel efficiency. Because I checked.

Headlights are decent for the city. For the highway you will need to add something more.

So What do I miss on this bike - Rear ABS - that's it. Only that. I might still end up buying this bike, It remains on my list.

I can't talk about Pillion comfort because I did not try with a pillion. And I would mostly be riding the bike without a pillion.

P.S. My bike hunt is still on and very slow because getting test rides for the bikes I want to try seems to be tough. Mainly because I keep turning down unregistered and uninsured bikes (therefore illegal?), or because the showrooms simply don't care because they are hitting their quotas.

[Sudarshan42]

Does anyone know if a CB300X is in the works? With the CB300F as a base platform and improved touring ergos and minor fairing?

[Nikhildrao]

@madhavgpai doesn't the 200x have the same stiff ride and suspension travel of the hornet ? I would implore you to ride a few more bike to get to know better suspension. You don't have to ridicule the younger generation for choosing a bike you can't ride with comfort.

[sanchari]

What does the suffix X, F and R stand for in Honda bikes? What's difference b/w CB300F and CB300X and CB300R? CB300F seems significantly cheaper than CB300R even though engine output seems to be same (different engines though).

[ruskyhead]

Originally Posted by sanchari

What does the suffix X, F and R stand for in Honda bikes? What's difference b/w CB300F and CB300X and CB300R? CB300F seems significantly cheaper than CB300R even though engine output seems to be same (different engines though).

The engine outputs are not the same 24hp to 31hp. CB300R is an international model. While the CB300F is a local/ developing country model for Brazil, India, etc. The R has a liquid cooled engine and is very very refined and reliable (It is the same engine of the CBR250R but bored out for more power/displacement). The CB300F is a new engine for India. Not as refined definitely. But very good VFM as of now.

Also X in the Honda lineup stands for the mild off road bikes. Like the CB500X.

The F are the modern nakeds, like the CB500F, They also use the 'Hornet' moniker for the same, like the CB750 Hornet.

While the R is generally their neo retro styled bikes like the CB650R or the CB1000R.

[RD410]

Originally Posted by sanchari

What does the suffix X, F and R stand for in Honda bikes? What's difference b/w CB300F and CB300X and CB300R? CB300F seems significantly cheaper than CB300R even though engine output seems to be same (different engines though).

CB-X - tarmac focussed commuter-tourers/ADV's - CB150X, CB200X, CB500X

XR - mild dualsports - XR150 (Hero Impulse), XR160, XR190, XRE300

CRF - hardcore ADV's, dualsports, motocross & dirt bikes - CRF110, CFR125, CRF150, CRF230, CRF250, CRF300, CRF450 & CRF1100 (Africa Twin)

XL - hardcore ADV - Transalp 750

GL - Touring motorcycle - Goldwing

VF-R - bikes with V4 engines - VFR800, VFR1200

CB - road bikes / commuter bikes / naked superbikes - CB-Shine, CB160 Unicorn, CB160 Hornet, CB350 H'ness, CB750 Hornet

CBR-F / CB-F - usually commuters and sports tourers - CB125F (Stunner), CB300F, CB500F, CBR650F

CBR-R, CBR-RR & CB-R - advanced, hardcore sports bikes and superbikes both faired & naked - CBR150R, CBR250R, CBR 250RR, CB300R, CBR650R, CB650R, CBR600RR, CB1000R, CBR1000RR Fireblade

Honda naming convention is not to be taken seriously. They often use X, R & F suffixes interchangeably, making it more confusing.

Originally Posted by madhavgpai

This bike, CB200X doesn't seem attractive on the spec sheet like many have pointed out. But this is a commuter supreme.

More than being a good commuter, the best thing about Hornet is it's cornering prowess. It's so much fun on a twisty road. This machine just begs you to lean harder, that's the kind of confidence it gives. CB200X is nothing but a Hornet with comfy ergonomics and slightly softer front suspension. So it should have the same cornering capability as Hornet. The only sore point is it's lower displacement of 184cc. On highway's, the 200cc's from Hero & TVS feel much better.

When it comes to absolute comfort, it's Hero Xpulse that beats them all. It just glides through whatever you throw at it. It gives this invincible feeling that no other bike in that segment has. Surprise, it can corner decently well too. With Xpulse, Hero has achieved this near perfect balance between an ADV and naked sports bike. It handles like any other naked bike. And the latest Xpulse 4V E20 has strong initial and midrange grunt. Overall performance is significantly better than CB200X. If I had to put my money, it would be the Hero. Sure it's not as butter smooth as the Honda, but it's hella fun to ride! Xpulse is one bike that can convert your boring daily commute into a fun adventure