Honda Two Wheelers has announced that it will be introducing a new product on November 14 but just like their other launch announcements, has stopped shorting of revealing any further details. The company has already started rolling out BS6 updates with Activa 125 being the first one. We expect the second product to be the popular CB Shine SP 125.
Maybe the reason Honda is not revealing details of the product launch is to stay ahead of rival Hero MotoCorp, who is also getting ready to launch their first BS6 motorcycle – Hero Splendor BS6. It may be remembered that it was Honda who had first announced the unveiling date of Activa BS6, but just a day before the actual unveiling, Hero got the BS6 certificate for Splendor BS6 and crashed Honda’s BS6 unveiling party.
With both Hero and Honda getting ready to launch their first BS6 motorcycle, both are keeping launch details secret. Hero has already started dispatch of Splendor BS6 to dealers, but has not announced any launch date yet. Honda has announced a launch date, but it is not confirmed what is the product.
According to company’s recent filing with the government, the new Honda CB Shine SP 125 incorporates considerable changes. The most important improvement comes in the form of the engine which now benefits from electronic fuel injection. The 125 cc air-cooled engine will be delivering 10.88 hp in BS6 avatar which is roughly 0.5 hp higher that the outgoing version. The transmission will continue to be a 5-speed unit.
In addition to the less polluting powertrain, the commuter motorcycle will also get a frame upgrade as suggested by the dimensions in the leaked document. The new version measures 2,020 mm long, 765 mm in width and 1,013 mm in height. The wheelbase measures 1,285 mm. Relative to the existing model, the new upgraded one is 13 mm longer, 23 mm wider and 18 mm taller. The wheelbase has been stretched by 19 mm.
The extent of change in dimensions also suggest that the motorcycle will sport some new bodywork. We also expect features like digital instrument console, USB charging and so on. The top-end variant will be equipped with front disc and rear drum brakes while the base variant will make do with drums at both ends. Given that the engine displacement is slightly below the crucial 125 cc mark, the motorcycle will opt for cost-effective combi-brake system (CBS) rather than having single-channel ABS.
Most of these changes are expected to be carried forward to the utilitarian Honda CB Shine as well. Combined, the Shine family emerged as the second best selling motorcycle brand in the country but is no where near the undisputed leader, the Hero Splendor.
The comprehensive update is expected to bring much needed positive YoY sales growth for the nameplate while reducing the magnitude of Honda’s overall sales decline in the process. The updates are estimated to inflate the price tag by around INR 7,000 to 10,000. Currently the Honda CB Shine 125 starts at INR 63,857 (ex-showroom, Delhi).