The new X-Blade motorcycle debuted at the 2018 Auto Expo and Honda has stated that it will be priced below ₹79,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The company has begun accepting bookings and deliveries will begin around mid-March.
The target market for the X-Blade includes youngsters and millennials. The basic silhouette of the bike resembles the Honda CB Hornet 160R, but the rest is really aggressive-looking. Honda calls the design ‘Robo-face’, with an edgy headlight that’s an all-LED unit, a taller fly screen, an underbelly cowl, chunky grab rails and a redesigned LED tail-lamp.
There’s a full-digital console with a gear-position indicator, service indicator, hazard lights and a white backlight. The same 162.7cc air-cooled motor from the CB Hornet 160R does duty on this bike, but it makes 13.9hp and 13.9Nm on this bike. The engine is mated to a five-speed gearbox.
There’s no rear disc brake though, even as an option. It doesn’t have CBS or ABS either. There are five colours on sale – Matte Marvel Blue Metallic, Pearl Igneous Black, Matte Frozen Silver, Pearl Spartan Red and Matte Marshal Green Metallic.