Honda has patented the Air Blade maxi-scooter in India. This patent follows the earlier WN7 electric bike patent that we reported. If launched in India, the Air Blade could compete with the Yamaha Aerox 155 and Hero Xoom 160. Here’s a quick rundown on why this maxi-scooter could prove to be a relevant product for our market.
- Honda Air Blade is available overseas with 125cc and 160cc engines
- Runs on 14-inch wheels and has a 113kg kerb weight
- Closest rivals in India include the Yamaha Aerox 155 and Hero Xoom 160
Honda Air Blade patent: What to expect?
160cc iteration of the Air Blade produces 15.2hp and 14.8Nm
The Air Blade maxi-scooter is available in two engine configurations overseas - 160cc and 125cc - with both models carrying the same design. Honda has currently only patented the design, so the decision lies with the brand on whether it chooses to bring the lower-displacement or higher-displacement version to India.
For reference, the lower-displacement iteration is powered by a 124.8cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that produces 11.8hp and 11.3Nm. The higher-displacement model uses a 156.9cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that develops 15.2hp and 14.8Nm.
The maxi-scooter segment is still in its nascent stage in India, with the Yamaha Aerox 155 and Hero Xoom 160 currently being the only under-spine maxi-scooters with 150cc-plus liquid-cooled engines on sale. If and when Honda launches the Air Blade here, it would make sense for the brand to introduce the higher-displacement version to better rival the established competition.
The Honda Air Blade also uses an underbone chassis suspended by a telescopic fork and twin shock absorbers. It rides on 14-inch wheels and has a seat height of 775mm. Fuel tank capacity stands at 4.4 litres, while the Vietnamese-spec model has a kerb weight of 113kg. That makes it 29kg lighter than the Hero Xoom 160 and 13kg lighter than the Yamaha Aerox 155. That said, it runs on narrower 90/100-section (F/R) tyres, compared to the wider 110/140-section (F/R) setup found on the two maxi-scooters sold in India.
Will the Honda Air Blade come to India?
A patent filing from Honda does not directly point to an imminent launch, as this could simply be an IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) safeguard, something the brand routinely exercises. However, unlike the WN7 electric bike, the Air Blade appears to be a product that could genuinely fill a gap in Honda’s portfolio and help the brand enter the growing 150cc-plus sporty scooter segment that has recently started gaining traction.
Dinshaw Magol
Rishaad Mody
Vishal Venugopal
