Honda CB200X: Top 5 Highlights

Is it a proper ADV or a sheep in wolf's clothing? Here's what the just launched CB200X is all about

After a month of teasing, Honda has finally launched its first small capacity ADV bike in India, called the CB200X. Here are five things you must know about it:

Looks Charming

If there’s one thing Honda usually gets right, it is the aesthetics and that’s also true for the CB200X. From a distance, the bike looks worthy of wearing the ADV badge thanks to its tall stature. The overall design, however, is somewhat a blend of the CB500X and the Hornet 2.0. For instance, the LED headlight seems drawn from the Hornet but it's mounted on a muscular fairing that resembles the CB500X. Even the tail light seems to have come directly from the Hornet, but with redesigned panels for company. 

In addition, the CB200X gets a tinted visor and a rugged-looking belly pan, aimed at improving its off-road and highway capabilities. All this comes together well but we feel Honda could’ve done a better job at making this stand out, especially when compared to the Hornet 2.0.

Same Old Feature-list

The CB200X gets all the basics right in the feature department. You get alloy wheels, all-LED lighting, a golden USD fork, and fully digital LCD instrument cluster, everything carried on from the Hornet along with a hazard light switch. While the LCD shows all necessary information, it does miss out on smartphone connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation, things that the Hero XPulse 200 offers at a much lower price. More on that later. 

Half-hearted Underpinnings

Since the CB200X is based on the Hornet 2.0, you get the same underpinnings here, comprising a diamond frame sprung on a chunky USD fork and monoshock, and single petal discs (276mm front, 220mm rear) at both ends. Dual-channel ABS is a miss here but if you plan on taking the CB200X off-road, the single-channel ABS should let you slide around easily. What will also make life easier on uncharted roads are the dual-purpose tyres and the taller handlebar coupled to the 810mm high seat, which should result in a more upright and comfortable riding posture. Thanks to all the extras, the CB200X weighs 147kg, 5kg more than the Hornet 2.0.

These aside, there’s no looking past that Honda hasn’t increased the ground clearance, given a bigger front wheel, or increased suspension travel for the CB200X, all of which are crucial for an ADV. 

Same Powerhouse As The Hornet 2.0

Yep, you read it right. The CB200X is powered by the same 184.4cc single-cylinder motor as the Hornet 2.0. And Honda hasn’t even played around with the state of tune as the same 17.2PS and 16.1Nm both still come at the same rpm. When we rode the Hornet, we found that the motor has good low-end grunt, meaning light trails should be fun aboard the 200X, but the motor lacks juice and a 6th gear for highway stints.

Not Easy On The Pocket

Honda has priced the CB200X at Rs 1,44,500 (ex-showroom Gurugram), making it Rs 13,894 pricier than the Hornet 2.0. What makes matters worse is that its arch rival, the Hero XPulse 200, offers smartphone connectivity with turn-by-turn navigation, spoke wheels, better ground clearance and long travel suspension, all at a massive Rs 24,000 less.