NS Honda CB200X The Indian motorcycle market sits in a very interesting segment. Situated in the 180-200 cc commuter segment, the CB200X intends to offer something different; It’s not your typical street bike, but not a hard-core off-road bike either. and here it is, Honda Say, the CB200X will form its own sub-segment of a crossover motorcycle that can be used for daily commuting but will also double up for exploring the outskirts of the city on weekends. All is well according to market trends, which have seen a huge explosion in motorcycling over the past few years.
The Honda CB200X gets ADV styling, but it is positioned by Honda not as an off-road bike, but as a crossover with “soft-roading” capability.
Understanding market trends is one thing, and creating a product that meets all the needs of its target audience is quite another. After all, the Honda CB200X has to be reasonably affordable in its segment, offer features that are par for the course in its segment, and be a versatile machine, yet compete with 200 cc machines with better performance. But it offers a kind of ADV flavor which is missing in its segment. and keeping the economy of scale in mind, the CB200X is based on Honda Hornet 2.0, sharing the same engine, chassis and suspension. The big question is, is the new Honda CB200X good enough to attract a wider range of customers?
Read also: Everything you need to know about the Honda CB200X
The design certainly makes for an attractive motorcycle; With proper ADV styling, and it looks bigger than its 184 cc engine displacement.
design features
In terms of design, there is no doubt that Honda has pioneered it. The new Honda CB200X is definitely worth a look! Set your eyes on it for the first time, and it gives the impression of being a bigger bike than it actually is. The bodywork, front-end design and even the red and white color scheme of our test bike are reminiscent of the Honda CB500X and even the bigger Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin. Yes, it definitely has road presence, and it’s part of an adventure-touring bike that’s a lot bigger than it actually is.
Read also: Top 5 Highlights of Honda CB200X
The engine is a small, 184 cc, single-cylinder air-cooled unit, but the CB200X gets a plastic bash plate, which is more cosmetic than offering any real protection from rocks when going over rough terrain.
However, on a closer look, the story hints that it is just a commuter motorcycle, though the design and aesthetics make the bike bigger than its engine capacity. The front half fairing with windscreen makes the CB200X look somewhat like its bigger brother, the CB500X, and that’s a good thing. The lighting is fully LED, including the smart looking taillight, and even the turn indicators are LED, with the front indicators mounted on adventure-style plastic knuckle guards.
The 37mm upside down, gold-finished forks look premium, but suspension travel is limited with just 130mm of travel.
In keeping with the “ADV” design flavour, the CB200X also sports a plastic bash plate; Not rugged enough for hard-core off-road use, but it has been designed more to complement the overall ADV aesthetic, and certainly adds an extra thin plastic layer of protection to the engine sump, Whatever it’s worth. The 37mm gold-finished upside down front fork gives a hint of premium appeal, but suspension travel is limited, as it is the same unit of the Hornet 2.0.
Read also: Honda Hornet 2.0 Review
The riding position is comfortable; You sit upright, and the seat has enough real estate to sit comfortably in the saddle for long periods of time.
Ergonomics and Tech
The long and flat handlebar, which is pulled back towards the rider, provides an upright riding position. The terraced seat provides ample real estate for comfort, and the upright riding position, along with good wind protection, make the CB200X a comfortable place to stay. You sit tall with a commanding view of the road ahead, and the riding position is comfortable enough to last a few hours in the saddle; All good qualities for making a little dash out of town on the weekend.
The negative LCD instrument console looks neat, and the Hornet 2.0 has a precise unit. Bluetooth connectivity would have added a sense of premium-ness, and turn-by-turn navigation would certainly have made it more ambitious.
The negative LCD instrument console is feature-rich, with a trip meter, clock and gear position indicator. And this is the result of sharing components with the bike based on the Honda Hornet 2.0. But a slightly wider instrument console, perhaps with Bluetooth connectivity, could certainly enhance the CB200X’s premium appeal. The 17-inch alloy wheels come with tubeless, block-pattern tyres, which are useful for taking on rougher terrain than tarmac, and provide grip in low traction conditions. Brakes, though with discs at both ends, come with single-channel ABS only, and ground clearance could have been better.
With smooth acceleration and sleek gear shifts, the engine performance is good for its displacement. The CB200X is happiest at 90-95 kmph, and will go over 120 kmph, but at higher speeds the vibrations creep up.
engine and performance
On the go, the CB200X feels familiar, which is because it shares the same powerplant as the Hornet 2.0. The 184.4 cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine makes 17 bhp at 8,500 rpm and 16.1 Nm of peak torque at 6,000 rpm. The engine has smooth acceleration, the gear shift on the 5-speed transmission is slick, and will happily sit at 90kmph all day long, and even if taken out on an open highway Will go up to more than 120 kmph. But it’s within that city where the CB200X is happiest.
Acceleration is quick up to a top speed of around 60 kmph, and neutral handling provides confidence and stability at all speeds.
Acceleration up to 60kph is fast and smooth, and one or two downshifts will push enough to keep you moving forward, and slicing through traffic. Overall the performance is quite likeable. Yes, there is some vibration that creeps in towards the top end, but 5,000-7,000 rpm is where the CB200X is happiest, and if you work on a 5-speed gearbox, that’s enough to make everyday use enjoyable Will provide enough grunt. On the highway, speeds of 90-95 kmph are happiest, but given the fairly open stretch of road it will accelerate to 130 kmph, but the smaller engine will be strained and some at triple digit speeds Vibration will be felt.
Read also: Honda CB200X vs Hero XPulse 200 Specifications Comparison
With its 147kg curb weight, the Honda CB200X is light on its feet, and has good mid-range to dart in and out of traffic. Overall, it inspires confidence, and the dynamics are well-ordered.
ride and handling
The chassis, again shared with the Hornet 2.0, offers neutral and predictive handling, and with its 147 kg weight, the CB200X is light on its feet, and has decent middle ground to dart in and out of traffic. – There is a limit. Ride quality is firm, without being harsh, but there’s resistance if you hit a big pothole or a speedbreaker at a slightly higher speed. Our test route didn’t include any twisty roads to offer the CB200X some corners, but the broad curves are handled with confidence and grace.
Honda says it’s not an off-road bike, so the lack of suspension travel is a disappointment. The suspension is somewhat stiff and crashes over large potholes and speedbreakers at speed. With a little more suspension travel, ground clearance and dual-channel ABS, the Honda CB200X could have been a versatile all-rounder, making it a very attractive proposition that it just doesn’t miss out on.
Given that it is the same platform as the Hornet 2.0, there are no complaints regarding handling, or overall maneuverability. The brakes could have been better though. And when you venture into slightly rough terrain, the CB200X is quite handy, but only fair. The chassis provides confidence and balance, and the block-pattern tires provide superior grip on mud, mud, and low traction conditions. But the lack of suspension travel and ground clearance let it down.
Read also: Honda CB200X Launched at ₹ 1.45 Lakh
The stepped seat provides good real estate for a comfortable perch on long runs.
Decision
The biggest strength of the Honda CB200X is the way it looks! It looks like a reasonably mid-sized adventure bike, and based on its aesthetics alone, it’s sure to find takers. The engine has been refined, the gear shift is sleek, and the handling is neutral and predictive; All the qualities that make for a good package. At ₹ 1,44,500 (ex-showroom), it is not what you would call an affordable commuter bike, and at that price, it knocks on the door of a 200 cc street-bike with better performance and features.
The biggest strength of the Honda CB200X is the way it looks. It looks big, has a definite road presence, and looks like a mid-sized ADV rather than a 184 cc commuter, crossover. With a bit more suspension travel, better features, it could have indeed been a very attractive proposition in the 180-200 cc segment, attracting even riders from the segment above it.
And even at that price, the CB200X only gets single-channel ABS, which is a big omission. Overall, it definitely makes for a unique proposition, and will surely get its share of fans based on its looks, smooth engine and likeable dynamics. If only it had more suspension travel, and an optional version with dual channel ABS, that could make all the difference between a good bike and a great bike!
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(Photography: Pawan Dagia)
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