[FlankerFury]

Along with the ADV160 scooter, Honda is also working on introducing three new motorcycles in our market. The first will be the already existing Rebel 300 cruiser, which uses the same 286cc liquid-cooled engine as the CB300R.

This next bit is interesting. I'm guessing it's the bored out version of the 350 single.

The Japanese brand is also working on a new 500cc project which will spawn (at least) two motorcycles, codenamed the MLHJ and MLWA. The engine in these bikes is likely to be an all-new one and won't be the same 471cc twin seen in the NX500.

We expect these new launches to take place sometime in 2026-2027.

ACI | Honda to launch 3new bikes in India

[DarthFader]

The Rebel could have been a great hit amongst the cruiser lovers but now with the market leaning more towards ADV-tourers, i dont know how much difference would it make in the sales.

I can just hope they price it right.

[b16h22]

I don't think the Rebel will find a lot of takers in India. Especially considering its such a competitive segment with so many good options and most of them have that one thing extra which is important for a cruiser - character. Pricing wise, it'll be like 2.5-2.6L if they locally manufacture it like CB300R and that puts it at a major disadvantage.

I wish Honda actually put in some effort to update the CBR300R and launch it here.

[FlankerFury]

I wonder why Honda doesn't offer the CBR300R in India, the streetfighter sibling is localised already.
A faired version of CB300R should be easier and cost effective rather than a completely new frame and body style.


I overlooked this bit before posting, but yes I share the same sentiments.

Originally Posted by b16h22

I wish Honda actually put in some effort to update the CBR300R and launch it here.

+1 for CBR300R

[amyntor]

Originally Posted by FlankerFury

Attachment 2723477

ACI | Honda to launch 3new bikes in India

Honda should launch the CL300 instead of Rebel 300. Then it could stand in the market as a competitor to the Scram 440.

[Quicksilver85]

Seems like Kumbakaran is getting up from sleep.
Wishful thinking
What we need is SKD/CKD assembly of CBRs across the range to fill up the portfolio of Bigwing so that enthusiasts are spoilt for choice!
So far, only Kawasaki has the products from 300 to 1000+cc, time for other 3 Japs(Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha) to fill the market with premium offerings.

[marcussantiago]

The Rebel 300 would have been a total shock to the system ten years ago. But today? With so many options? Probably DOA.

The 500 could be interesting, if priced right.

[DarthFader]

Originally Posted by marcussantiago

The 500 could be interesting, if priced right.

Even if they do come out with a 500 Rebel, they will price it ridiculously high to kill it anyways.
Honda hasnt understood India as a market yet and they want to play extremely safe. No wonder their most popular products are Active, Shine and Unicorn.

[locusjag]

Well I understood the upcoming 500cc motorcycle to be a long-stroke, single-cylinder CB500 - an extension of the CB350 product line. That's been the reporting in the mainstream automotive media of late anyhow - that this bike will fill in the slot now left vacant by the erstwhile RE 500s.

[DarthFader]

Originally Posted by locusjag

Well I understood the upcoming 500cc motorcycle to be a long-stroke, single-cylinder CB500 - an extension of the CB350 product line. That's been the reporting in the mainstream automotive media of late anyhow - that this bike will fill in the slot now left vacant by the erstwhile RE 500s.

If that's the case, they would repurpose/tinker existing nx500's engine and that would make it a CBU unit, which will end up priced above 6L.

I am sure people will miss RE500 even more then.

[locusjag]

Originally Posted by DarthFader

If that's the case, they would repurpose/tinker existing nx500's engine and that would make it a CBU unit, which will end up priced above 6L.

I am sure people will miss RE500 even more then.

I would hate it if that happens!

Then again - as others on the forum have surmised - it will be easy for Honda to re-bore their 350cc mill, arrive at a 470cc capacity, round it off and call it a 500 (as they are so fond of rounding off engine capacities and misnomers).

I will love it if they offer such a locally made (albeit rounded off) "500cc". In fact, I think I have put off my current motorcycle purchase plans upon hearing this news. It's an Indian summer that's in front of us anyhow, I won't be riding anywhere till August probably...it feels so wrong to buy a CB350 now when a CB500 could arrive next year.

[It's Magic]

Originally Posted by FlankerFury

ACI | Honda to launch 3new bikes in India

To launch five motorcycles in a couple of years, do we really have that big a market for bikes over 300cc in India? Out of the five, two bikes would be over 500cc. I think they should just launch a single bike in the 300cc and 500cc segments. Understand public reaction or their response, and then think about launching more.

I understand we currently have multiple options in the 300cc and 500cc segments, but it's just one or two offerings by each manufacturer. I don't think we have any manufacturer with three or four options in this segment.

[DarthFader]

Originally Posted by locusjag

I would hate it if that happens!

Then again - as others on the forum have surmised - it will be easy for Honda to re-bore their 350cc mill, arrive at a 470cc capacity, round it off and call it a 500 (as they are so fond of rounding off engine capacities and misnomers).

I will love it if they offer such a locally made (albeit rounded off) "500cc". In fact, I think I have put off my current motorcycle purchase plans upon hearing this news. It's an Indian summer that's in front of us anyhow, I won't be riding anywhere till August probably...it feels so wrong to buy a CB350 now when a CB500 could arrive next year.

Well, I dont know enough to say the 350 to 470 rebore couldnt happen. All I know is that they can keep the cost low only if they build locally. Though the locally built bike will suffer some quality setbacks (just like cb350 does) and one can not blindly call it a HONDA and assume rock solid quality.

[FlankerFury]

Originally Posted by locusjag

Then again - as others on the forum have surmised - it will be easy for Honda to re-bore their 350cc mill, arrive at a 470cc capacity, round it off and call it a 500 (as they are so fond of rounding off engine capacities and misnomers).

I will love it if they offer such a locally made (albeit rounded off) "500cc".

Originally Posted by DarthFader

Well, I dont know enough to say the 350 to 470 rebore couldnt happen. All I know is that they can keep the cost low only if they build locally.

According to this japanese magazine, it could displace 525cc.

There was a thread on this particular bike before, but it got locked since it's discussion snowballed into an RE vs Honda debate.

Attaching it's link here,
Team-BHP | (Honda GB500 name trademarked in EU and US)

At the media test ride event held when the GB350 series was first announced, the crank and cylinder head were exhibited at the venue. What caught our attention was the distance between the cylinder bore and the bolts that secure the cylinder head.

When I measured it with a handheld scale, the cylinder head's outer circumference of φ70.0mm was the same diameter as the cylinder, but when I measured it with a tape measure, I found that the stud bolts and the cylinder outer wall were about 23mm thick. This means that if I leave about 15mm of thickness as a safety margin, the bore will be φ86mm, and the displacement will be about 525cc. Calculating backwards from 500cc, a bore diameter of φ84mm will be sufficient

young-machine | circumstancial evidence of GB350->GB500

[b16h22]

Originally Posted by FlankerFury

young-machine | circumstancial evidence of GB350->GB500

I just wish Honda India put in this much effort to actually expand their modern sportsbike/adv/dualsport lineup under 400cc. I don't mind them trying to beat RE but they are losing their own identity in the process and ends up being another RE clone. We have way too many cruisers in Indian market already. The last such product was the CBR250R.