Honda Hornet 2.0: Is It the Best Motorcycle to Buy This Year?

The Honda Hornet 2.0 seems to be making significant waves in the Indian market, as depicted by the updated Repsol Edition and the multiple colour options it is now available in. Let’s break down the key highlights:

• Pricing and Colour Options:

• The updated Repsol Edition of the Hornet 2.0 is priced at Rs 1.40 lakh ex-showroom.
• The other colour options such as Matt Axis Grey Metallic, Matt Marvel Blue Metallic, Matte Sangria Red Metallic, and Pearl Ingenious Black are priced slightly lower at Rs 1.39 lakh.
• In total, there are nine colour choices for prospective buyers, making it versatile for different aesthetic preferences.

• Engine and Performance:

• The bike is powered by an 184cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine.
• This engine can produce a power of 17.03 bhp and a torque of 16.1Nm, which are decent numbers for this segment.
• It comes equipped with a five-speed gearbox, which should ensure a smooth riding experience in different conditions.

• Chassis, Suspension, and Braking:

• The engine is housed in a diamond-type frame, giving it a robust structure.
• For suspension, it boasts USD forks at the front and a mono-shock at the rear, which should ensure a comfortable ride even on Indian roads.
• Safety is handled by disc brakes on both the front and rear wheels, providing reliable stopping power.

• Features:

• The Hornet 2.0 is modern with features like LED lighting, which provides better illumination and consumes less power.
• The LCD instrument cluster is a nice touch, allowing riders to easily monitor various aspects of the bike. The five-step brightness adjustment ensures visibility under various lighting conditions.
• The slipper and assist clutch enhance the riding experience, making gear shifts smoother and preventing rear-wheel lockups during aggressive downshifts.

Pros:

• Stylish design
• Well-equipped with features such as LED lighting, an LCD instrument cluster, and a slipper and assist clutch
• Good performance from the 184cc engine
• Comfortable ride
• Good fuel efficiency

Cons:

• One of the more expensive motorcycles in its segment
• Missing out on some features such as an adjustable rear shock absorber and a distance to empty meter
• Weak top-end performance

• Competition:

• In the Indian market, the Hornet 2.0 faces stiff competition from the likes of the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and the Hero Xtreme 160 R. Both of these alternatives have their own set of features and performance attributes, making the segment quite competitive.

In summary, the 2023 Honda Hornet 2.0, with its updated Repsol edition and various colour options, seems to offer a good blend of aesthetics, performance, and features. Its pricing is also competitive, making it an attractive choice for those in the market for a bike in this segment. However, as with any vehicle purchase, prospective buyers should test ride and compare it with competitors to find the best fit for their needs.

Bikewale