Honda CBR 650R, CB 650R, CB750 Hornet, CB1000 Hornet And X-ADV India Launch In 2025

Honda’s Big Wing series of bikes is set to witness the arrival of five new products in 2025. While the CB 650R and CBR 650R are something that Indian enthusiasts are familiar with, the other three two-wheelers are going to be making their Indian debut in early 2025. The Honda CB750 Hornet was given as its ADV counterpart – the XL750 Transalp – was already being sold in the country and the CB1000 Hornet is the latest generation of the litre-class naked from team Big Red. 

However, the X-ADV is something that we didn’t quite expect at all. We got up close and personal with the ADV-cum-maxi scooter at EICMA 2024, suggesting why it was a good idea for it to be present in India but ultimately indicating it wouldn’t arrive. And now we are going to be proven wrong but we are super happy about it. The X-ADV is going to be ‘THE’ proper maxi-scooter that will be capable of taking on Indian roads. It has got rugged styling, longer travel suspension, wire-spoke tubeless wheels and dual purpose tyres. Not to forget, a 750 cc parallel-twin engine, pushing out 57.8 bhp and 69 Nm, which will be happy to munch miles for days on end. 

Moving on, the CB750 Hornet has been around for a while and we were hoping Honda had launched it alongside the Transalp itself. Nevertheless, the 90 horses that the 755 cc parallel-twin mill produces should provide enough thrill for those who are stepping up from the sub-500 cc class of bikes. It will certainly be light and easy going, a characteristic trait of the Hornets of the past. 

The larger CB1000 Hornet is the latest evolution of Honda’s litre-class nakeds, ditching the old Neo Sports Cafe design theme for something more up to date. It is making a modest-for-a-1000 cc-naked 155 bhp and 107 Nm from its 1000 cc inline four pot mill that used to ply its trade on the 2017 Fireblade. And judging by the picture and Honda India’s past track record, it is likely to arrive only in the SP trim. Hence, the bike will get a Showa USD fork and Ohlins monoshock, both fully-adjustable. Plus, it will get Brembo Stylemas and a bi-directional quickshifter as standard.

There have been no major changes to the CB 650R and CBR 650R since the last time they were on sale in India. 94 bhp and 63 Nm continues to be pushed out from its 649 cc inline four engine. What has improved over time is the inclusion of an e-clutch for the bike. Honda has managed to filter down some of its learnings from the DCT on its big bikes to offer riders. As a result, an electronic clutch allows the riders to set off, ride and come to a halt on the 650s without necessitating clutch operation. The rider can choose to use the lever in case of emergency or if they feel like it with gear shifts done conventionally, via the gear shifter.

Whether we will get to see all five Hondas launch together in one go or in a phased manner from January 2025 remains to be seen. What we are certain of is that these Japanese offerings aren’t going to be affordable or accessible. All of the five will be imported from Japan as CBU products. With no Free Trade Agreement between India and Japan, duties on the products will be quite high. Hence, get ready to pay the big bucks for these big Hondas.