Honda opens bookings for new CBR650F at Rs 730,000

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has opened bookings for the CBR650F in the domestic market. The new CBR650F is a middleweight supersport-style motorcycle with a sleek, aerodynamic fairing and specially designed air ducts.

It is powered by a 649cc, DOHC inline, four-cylinder engine, which develops 63.7kW at 11,000rpm, mated to a new six-speed short ratio gearbox. Other product highlights include a new LED headlight, revised Nissin brake calipers, Showa dual bending valve-type fork and bronzed engine and head covers.

Commenting on the new CBR650F, Yadvinder Singh Guleria, senior vice-president  (Sales and Marketing), HMSI, said, “The new CBR650F delivers a strong dose of CBR series sporting intent and style. It offers additional value at no increase in price from its previous generation."

The company has refrained from increasing the price for the new facelifted  CBR650F, thus keeping the price at Rs 730,000 (ex-showroom New Delhi). The new upgraded version, which can be booked across Honda's premium Wing World network of 24 dealerships located across 22 cities, is offered in two colours - red and matte gunpowder black. 

It can be recalled that Honda had first launched the CBR650F in August 2015 marking its entry into the midsize motorcycle segment with a four-cylinder engine configuration. The company's Wing World premium dealership network was spread across only 12 cities at that time. The model was assembled at Honda's facility in Manesar with initial assembly operations constituting two units per day.

Autocar Professional estimates that HMSI has clocked sales of more than 300 units of the CBR650F since its launch almost 26 months ago. The numbers may appear to be low but it is understood that Honda's priorities lie more on the front of catering to the surging demand for commuter scooters and motorcycles. 

Speaking to Autocar Professional, on the sidelines of the SIAM Annual Convention in New Delhi last month, Minoru Kato, president and CEO, HMSI had said, "My top priority is to maximise Honda customers in India." The company is aiming for annual sales of six million units in FY2017-18.

Considering that it appears that the company, which is currently operating at near-100 percent capacity across its four production plants, has done well to represent its global premium offerings in the domestic market. The recent addition to its premium motorcycle portfolio, the 1000cc Africa Twin adventure-tourer has received a good market response. 

The litre-class adventure bike, also locally assembled at HMSI's Manesar unit, is learnt to be booked for FY2018. Notably, Honda was targeting sales of upto 75 units of the Africa Twin in the ongoing fiscal. It is learnt that the company has exhausted all bookings for the popular model already. 

This clearly indicates that Honda is making silent moves at its premium end while it continues to build its Wing World network across India. The company, which has a dedicated team working on the premium motorcycles, is preparing for the anticipated demand in the future with a balanced portfolio.