Honda CBR 150R/250R coming back, with total revamp

After the Indian government implemented the ban on the sale of BS III vehicles in India, Honda stopped the sales of CBR 150R and CBR 250R in India, and pulled both bikes out of the Indian market. The CBR 150R/250R is all set to return, but with a total revamp.

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According to a report, Honda will bring an all-new product to replace the CBR 250R. In the international markets, Honda has already replaced the CBR 250R with CBR 300R. The same is likely to happen in India as well.  In many countries, Honda has also launched the CBR 250RR, a much sportier version of the motorcycle.

However, the chances of CBR 300R landing in India is more than that of the CBR 250RR. Why? Because the CBR 300 is more affordable for the price sensitive Indian market. Interestingly, Honda has also registered a patent of the CBR 250RR in India in May. This said, last year Honda India also said that bringing the CBR 250RR in India will require a huge amount of investment and it is not feasible.

The CBR 300, on the other hand, is a lot similar to the CBR 250R and is powered by a single-cylinder engine and will compete against the likes of KTM RC 390. On the other hand, the CBR 250RR gets power from a parallel-twin engine and will fall in the Ninja 300 segment, making it much more costlier.

The CBR 300R will compete directly against the KTM RC 390, and it looks good enough to take on the Austrian competition. The CBR 300R gets dual headlamp set-up while the body fairing looks similar to the CBR 250R. The motorcycle is powered by a 286cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that generates a maximum power of 30.4 Bhp and 27.1 Nm of peak torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed transmission.

The CBR 300R also gets front and rear disc brakes, conventional front fork and rear mono-shock. It comes with a 13-litre fuel tank that will support long-distance tourers.

What about the CBR 150R?

Internationally, Honda has also revamped the CBR 150R. However, this bike may come a little later given the fact that Honda launched the bigger engined model first last time around, and the same launch pattern may be followed with the second generation models as well.

When will it launch?

Honda Motorcycles and Scooter India new MD Minoru Kato is an enthusiastic soul. He had announced that the Indian market would get four brand new products this financial year. Honda has already launched the Africa Twin motorcycle and the Cliq scooter in the market. Out of remaining two products, one should be the replacement of the Honda CBR 250R, and the other will be one more scooter. The launch should happen before the March next year, and we do expect an unveiling at the Auto Expo 2018.

Via ACI