Has Honda done sufficient to crack the 180-200cc segment? We have the answer!
The 150cc-200cc segment or the 180cc-200cc segment is squeezed in India. Almost every motorcycle manufacturer demands a slice of this pie, and there’s no uncertainty that Bajaj sits on top with several offerings in the 200cc segment. Not to overlook, they also have the Pulsar 180F in the 180cc space. After Bajaj, it’s TVS with the Apache line-up that has taken the market by storm.
Struggling for generations to provide an ideal motorcycle that displays a harmony between sporty-riding and commuting, Honda has finally launched the Hornet 2.0 with a 184cc engine. The query is, has Honda done enough this time? To get the answer to this query, we spent a few hours with the motorcycle and this is what we found out.
Design
Based on the global variant, the Honda Hornet 2.0 has experienced an impressive turnaround in terms of styling and looks akin to the CBR190. Under the engine, a new belly pan has helped the motorcycle look sportier, along with golden-coloured USD forks and a new sleek LED headlight. Just like the preceding version, the 2.0 features a muscular tank with body panels that exhibits contemporary artworks. Unlike the old-gen Hornet, the modern one brings a split-seat setup, but the tail light has not been disturbed.
Engine
The new 184.4cc engine churns out 17.3hp of peak power and 16.1Nm of torque from a SOHC, two-valve, single-cylinder engine. The motor is velvety soft, but we did notice a portion of tremor in the foot pegs and seat at around 9,500rpm. On the interstate, the Hornet surprised us as it gained over 110 kmph without breaking a sweat and managed well on the long stretches. However, the delightful spot of the motorcycle is between 90-100 kmph. Moving on to the gearbox, the impression is light and there’s enough bite in the mid-range which granted us to rocket past the city traffic without depreciating the gears frequently.
Handling and Ride Quality
In the handling department, the Hornet did exceptionally well with new fatter Maxxis tyres that authorized us to lean and flick without any fear. The riding quality is partially plush as we met a trivial discomfort while cruising through potholes and miserable trails. However, there’s enough ground clearance so a consumer will not have to fret about the motor getting scraped.
In short, it’s a sweet ride but the hefty price-tag may prove to be a negative factor for many.
