Honda to launch small-capacity adventure bike in India?

The Honda NX name isn’t known in India, but it's been used overseas for years on bikes like the NX125, NX250, NX650 and others. These bikes were single-cylinder, dual-sport machines built to be capable off-road. The name Honda NX200 has now been registered in India.

• New Honda ADV likely to be based on Hornet 2.0 platform

• Could be similar to the CB190X sold in China

• Likely to have a unique design for our market

Honda might be gearing up to launch a fairly unique motorcycle in our market, based on the trademark filing mentioned above. While the NX name has traditionally been used for dual-sport motorcycles (the best known example in India is the Hero Xpulse 200), it’s more likely that the upcoming Honda bike will be a road-biased ADV. 

Honda NX200 platform

The primary reason for this is the existence of the recently launched Honda Hornet 2.0. That bike is based on the Honda CB190R sold in international markets and it uses nearly the same mechanicals, albeit with differently designed bodywork. There’s another bike based on the same platform sold in China called the CB190X, and we believe that this could be canvas for the India-spec Honda NX200. 

Honda NX200 design and engine

The CB190X is based on the CB190R and is a road-biased motorcycle, but with some ADV elements. These include an ADV-style beak, slightly longer travel suspension, a taller windscreen, engine bash guard and handguards. 

It’s quite likely that Honda will use this existing platform rather than engineer a new one for our market. That means you can expect the same 184.5cc 2-valve, air-cooled single-cylinder engine from the Hornet 2.0, despite what the 200 in the name might suggest. 

That chassis should largely remain untouched; whether we will actually get the long travel suspension - given the Indian market’s sensitivity to seat heights - remains to be seen. Either way, the potential Honda NX200 is likely to borrow the 17-inch wheels and brake set-up from the Hornet 2.0. 

Honda NX200 India launch

As with the Hornet 2.0, the NX200’s design is probably going to be unique for our market. If Honda plans to bring this bike to India, the company might do so in the coming months, given that the Hornet 2.0 was launched last August. Expect a price of around Rs 10,000 more than the Hornet 2.0 which is currently priced at Rs 1.28 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).