Kinetic DX: Check out 5 key highlights of the reborn electrified icon
The original Kinetic DX, launched in 1984 through a joint venture with Honda, was based on the Honda NH series and became a household name in urban India. That petrol-powered two-stroke model has now evolved into a zero-emission, tech-focused urban commuter. Here are five key highlights of the all-new Kinetic DX.
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Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Honda to debut its maiden electric motorcycle globally on September 2
Honda is planning to introduce a host of new electric offerings by the end of this decade, and the two-wheeler giant has dropped the first teaser of its first-ever high-performance electric motorcycle, ahead of the global debut on September 2, 2025. The new teaser video gives us the first look at the brand's maiden electric motorcycle, and styling cues appear to be from the previously revealed EV Fun concept. The new teaser video gives us the first look at the Honda's maiden electric motorcycle, and styling cues appear to be from the EV Fun Concept. Honda Electric Motorcycle Coming Soon The Honda EV Fun concept previewed a 500 cc equivalent performance electric motorcycle, with the branding hinting at about 50 bhp from the motor. The upcoming Honda electric bike could pack a similar number with significantly more torque, available right from the word go. Also Read : Honda CB125 Hornet and Shine 100 DX launched, prices start at ₹74,959 The teaser showcases the LED DRL, bar-end mirrors, clip-on handlebars, and a large TFT screen. The bike will be a street-naked but will get a slightly more aggressive riding posture. The electric motorcycle will also come with CCS2 fast charging, making it compatible with the same fast chargers as electric cars. The Honda EV Fun Concept was unveiled at EICMA last year Honda Electric Motorcycle India launch While more details on Honda's maiden electric motorcycle are yet to be revealed, expect the e-bike to arrive in Europe first, followed by other developed markets. We do not expect the India launch to be on the cards anytime soon. Instead, Honda is just foraying into the domestic EV space with its locally made electric scooters - the QC1 and Activa e. Watch: Honda Activa e review: Can it emulate Activa's success? Price, range, features, battery swap tech The brand could introduce the e-bike at a later stage when the market is more mature for a product like this. That said, the upcoming Honda e-bike will compete against the made-in-India Ultraviolette F77, which is on sale in Europe. More details on the new electric motorcycle should be available in the coming days. Check out Upcoming EV Bikes in India. First Published Date:
Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
5 upcoming two-wheeler launches to watch out for in August 2025
The two-wheeler segment is poised for an action-packed month, with several new models set to launch in August 2025. From entry-level motorcycles to retro machines, there's something for everyone to look forward to. Here are five new motorcycles hitting the Indian market this month to watch out for. The Honda CB125 Hornet is a premium 125 cc commuter that competes against the TVS Raider and Hero Xtreme 125R 1. Honda CB125 Hornet - August 1 The CB125 Hornet was unveiled last month, and Honda has announced prices for its newest 125 cc offering. The Honda CB125 Hornet is the brand's new premium 125 cc commuter motorcycle that gets a sharp design, USD front forks, a 4.2-inch TFT screen, and more. Power comes from the 123.94 cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine tuned for 10.9 bhp at 7,500 RPM and 11.2 Nm of peak torque, paired with a 5-speed gearbox. The CB125 Hornet is priced at ₹1.12 lakh (ex-showroom). Also check these Bikes Find more Bikes UPCOMING Triumph Thruxton 400 398.15 cc 398.15 cc ₹ 2.60 - 2.90 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 398.63 cc 398.63 cc 29 kmpl 29 kmpl ₹ 2.93 Lakhs Compare View Offers Triumph Speed 400 398.15 cc 398.15 cc 34 kmpl 34 kmpl ₹ 2.42 Lakhs Compare View Offers UPCOMING Kawasaki W230 233 cc 233 cc ₹ 2.20 - 2.40 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched Harley-Davidson X440 440 cc 440 cc 35 kmpl 35 kmpl ₹ 2.40 Lakhs Compare View Offers Jawa Perak 334 cc 334 cc 34.05 kmpl 34.05 kmpl ₹ 2.40 Lakhs Compare View Offers Also Read : Honda CB125 Hornet and Shine DX launched, prices start at ₹74,959 The Honda Shine 100 DX is the brand's entry-level motorcycle in India and packs more features, and new graphics 2. Honda Shine DX - August 1 The Honda Shine DX is the new entry-level variant in the commuter motorcycle's lineup. The bike comes equipped with refreshed graphics, a long seat, an LCD instrument cluster, and more. The updated commuter continues to draw power from the 98.98 cc single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine tuned for 7.2 bhp at 7,500 rpm and 8.04 Nm of peak torque at 5,000 RPM. The engine is paired with a 4-speed gearbox. The Shine DX is priced at ₹74,959 (ex-showroom), and deliveries will commence from mid-August. The Oben Rorr EZ is expected to arrive with upgrades, including improved tech and range 3. Oben Rorr EZ - August 5 Bengaluru-based Oben Electric will introduce the new Rorr EZ electric motorcycle on August 5, 2025. The updated electric bike is expected to arrive with a host of upgrades, including new high-performance LFP battery technology with 50 per cent higher heat resistance and double the lifespan. The bike is expected to carry over the 2.6 kWh, 3.4 kWh, and 4.4 kWh battery options, while power will come from a PMS motor with 52 Nm of peak torque on offer. More details on the new Oben Rorr EZ will be available at the launch, while deliveries will begin from mid-August. The upcoming Triumph cafe racer will be based on the Speed 400 with a half-fairing (Instagram/ @varun_ro) Triumph is all set to bring its smallest cafe racer based on the Speed 400 motorcycle. The made-in-India motorcycle has been dubbed the Thruxton 400 and promises to share plenty of its design details with the larger Thruxton 1200, including a retro-styled half-fairing, round LED headlamp, rear-set footpegs and more. The Triumph Thruxton 400 will draw power from the same 398 cc TR-Series engine, and the bike is expected to be positioned between the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X. The Yezdi Roadster will get a host of upgrades including a comprehensively reworked engine 5. Yezdi Roadster - August 12 Yezdi Motorcycles is planning to bring the updated Roadster to the market this month. While the company is tight-lipped about the new offering, the bike is expected to pack a comprehensively reworked engine, improved build quality, new features, and more performance. The new Yezdi Roadster could be joined by the new Scrambler as well in the brand's lineup, sporting similar improvements. Check out Upcoming Bikes In India. First Published Date:
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
Honda zips past Hero with more 2-wheeler registrations in July
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has surged ahead of Hero MotoCorp as per Vahan registration data in July. The Japanese two-wheeler maker Honda clocked 3,45,660 retail registrations, surpassing Hero's 3,39,477 units. The last time Honda pulled this off on the Vahan dashboard was in September 2022 when it briefly ended Hero's long-standing dominance. July's data confirms a dramatic reversal of fortunes for the rivals. In May 2025, Hero led the market with 4,99,693 registrations, while Honda was trailing at 3,94,721, a gap of over one lakh units. But in the span of two months, Hero's monthly volumes shrank by more than 1.6 lakh units, while Honda's decline was far more measured, falling just under 50,000 units. Honda's strength in scooters and rising appeal in 125cc motorcycles are in sharp contrast to the broader market softness that has impacted Hero's rural-heavy portfolio of 1110cc motorcycles. The Activa continues to be Honda's trump card in scooters along with Shine 125 in motorcycles. As demand from metro and tier-2 cities picks up post-summer, scooters are seeing stronger retail traction than entry-level motorcycles. Honda's grip on this segment, both in volume and brand loyalty, is helping it withstand seasonal disruptions more effectively than its peers. MS%JuneOEMRankOEMJulyMS%34.91%3,94,448Hero1Honda3,45,66030.96%31.53%3,56,434Honda2Hero3,39,47730.41%25.05%2,83,214Tvs Motor3Tvs Motor2,69,54524.14%13.87%1,56,805Bajaj Auto4Bajaj Auto1,38,31812.39%7.59%85,800Suzuki5Suzuki87,9627.88% Tapering rural wave Hero, on the other hand, is seeing the impact of a tapering rural wave. Flagship commuter models like the Splendor and HF Deluxe, which form the backbone of Hero's volumes, are particularly sensitive to rural sentiment and monsoon-linked spending. "While Hero continues to rely heavily on models in the ≤110cc category for the bulk of its sales while Honda has seen significant traction in the 110-150cc segment. The boost in Honda's sales can partly be attributed to the recent launch of two new models the new Shine 100 and Hornet 125 has likely helped the company capture greater market share during the month," said Abhik Mukherjee, Research Analyst, Counterpoint Research. The last time Honda overtook Hero in September 2022, was seen as an anomaly, driven largely by a sharp post-COVID rebound in urban scooter demand. Hero had bounced back quickly in subsequent months. Fundamentals more aligned This time, however, the fundamentals seem more aligned with structural shifts in consumer preference. With urban buyers regaining spending power and scooters regaining ground, Honda's momentum may not be fleeting. The stage is now set for an intense festive battle. With Onam, Navratri, and Diwali around the corner, OEMs are lining up promotions and new launches. Hero will look to regain ground with upcoming commuter variants and refreshed VIDA electric launches. Honda, too, is expected to announce updates across the Activa lineup and its EV roadmap. It is no secret that the Japanese automaker has been itching to get the No 1 crown from its former India ally though this was easier said than done. Over the last 15 years since they split, Hero has held on to the top position thanks largely to the Splendor brand as well as its huge retail presence across the country. Honda had indicated one more than one occasion last year that it was confident of overtaking Hero but could not meet its objective. Whether the good showing in July will sustain for the remainder of this fiscal year remains to be seen. TVS and Bajaj moderate, Suzuki holds steady Meanwhile, TVS Motor Company registered 2,69,545 units in July, continuing a slow but steady decline from 3,10,437 in May. While its Jupiter scooter and iQube electric range continue to perform, overall volumes have softened slightly in the last two months. Bajaj Auto ended July with 1,38,318 registrations, down from 1,85,457 in May, as the company navigates shifts in export demand and domestic premium segment dynamics. Suzuki Motorcycle India remained stable, clocking 87,962 registrations, holding its ground with consistent performance of the Access and Burgman Street models. (Note - Vahan data does not include registrations for Telangana.)
