Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India’s game-changing combi brake system-equipped Activas have seen over 10 million customers since its launch in the country, the company announced in a release today.

Elaborating on this technology and its benefits, Yadvinder Singh Guleria, senior vice-president (Sales & Marketing), HMSI said: “In 2009, Honda became the first two-wheeler company in India to introduce the proven CBS (Combined Braking System) technology with the unique equaliser advantage. We are delighted to share that in just seven years, over 1 crore satisfied Indian customers are riding confidently with the CBS advantage that Honda has given them much ahead of the times. Today, every second Honda two-wheeler customer is now choosing the convenience of CBS with equaliser technology,”

Combi braking does have a distinct advantage over conventional braking as it is a more efficient way of stopping a scooter. Honda’s patented tech applies both brakes together through pressing just one lever, providing the optimal braking performance on its vehicles. This has not only enhanced the safety of its vehicles but also made riding a scooter easier.

“Compared to conventional braking, Honda’s Combi Brake System with Equaliser (CBS) reduces stopping distance and improves stability while braking so that you can ride with the confidence of efficient braking in your hands,” the release stated.

First-mover advantage

With the upcoming mandatory ABS and CBS norms for motorcycles and two-wheelers in 2019, HMSI does have a clear advantage over rivals as it has a much more tried-and-tested CBS system than any of its rivals. While the addition of ABS and CBS is sure to add to the cost of vehicles, HMSI may have the leeway of not passing it on immediately to its customers.

Given that more than 30 percent of all deaths on Indian roads involve two-wheelers, mandating such safety technologies are the need of the hour and even the average Indian buyer deserves to get the basic safety technology. HMSI’s move to make the CBS available in India on its scooters, way before any mandates, has been one such positive and laudable step towards road safety.