It seems that the recent news about the Honda CBR250RR not being launched in India has sent some people into a frenzy. Announced by Mr Yadvinder Guleria, Senior VP HMSI, the news is spreading like a wave of disappointment among motorcycle enthusiasts in the country. Honda recently unveiled the all-new parallel twin CBR250RR in Indonesia.
While many are reporting with a broken heart that India will continue to see the current single-cylinder CBR250R for some more time to come, this particular news actually has a positive side to it.
Let’s understand some facts here-
We are aware that the CBR250RR has been specifically launched for the Indonesian market due to their extremely strict laws on motorcycles upwards of 250cc. We should also keep in mind that Kawasaki and Yamaha have the 250cc versions of their 300cc sportbikes selling in that country, namely – Ninja 250 and the YZF-R25. For this very reason, the more powerful Ninja 300 and the YZF-R3 are meant for other bigger markets like Europe, USA and India.
Let’s also understand that internationally Honda has also announced that the CBR250RR will not be available in the UK. We would say that it is safe to assume that Honda has plans to launch the more powerful version of the CBR250RR – something like the CBR300RR or a CBR350RR – for other markets just like what Kawasaki and Yamaha have done. Hence, it is likely that the Indian market will also be treated the same way.
Why Could We Be Correct In Assuming So?
It is natural that Honda wants to beat Kawasaki and Yamaha in the ever growing Quarter Litre segment. While their CBR250RR can take care of its 250cc counterparts in Indonesia, Honda will need the slightly bigger capacity engine to take on the Ninja 300 and YZF-R3 everywhere else. So, it is not unlikely that Honda has a more powerful version of the CBR250RR in line for other major markets.
What we need to do right now is wait and watch. But we at xBhp believe that India will get the better deal from Honda!
