Honda CB500 Hornet, CBR500R, CBR650R, CB1000 Hornet Patented In India, Launch Soon?

Patent images of the Honda CB500 Hornet, CBR500R, CBR650R, and CB1000 Hornet have surfaced online recently. While we would have definitely loved to see these launched in India, both history and Honda have not been kind. For perspective, Honda has previously patented a lot of their motorcycles and scooters like the CBR250RR, CRF190L, PCX electric scooter, Forza 350, and Vario 350, to name a few. 

The first ones from the new patent set are the CB500 Hornet and CBR500R. Now, both these bikes make perfect sense to be launched here, especially when their adventure sibling, the NX500, is already here.  The trio shares the 471cc parallel-twin engine that makes 47.6PS and 43Nm in the NX.

Next up is the familiar marque – the Honda CBR650R – which was previously on sale in India for quite a while, and was quite well accepted too, despite its hefty price tag. The CBR650R is quite a unique sports tourer, especially with its distinctive Honda inline-four growl.

Last is the Honda CB1000 Hornet, a mean looking naked bike that triggered a certain group of Italian brand loyalists. It was only unveiled at EICMA 2023, with a global launch due in mid-2024. With the Hornet badge, the CB1000 steps away from its neo-retro styling to a more aggressive (Ducati) streetfighter design language.

To recap, and put the whole story in perspective, it’s not uncommon for manufacturers to register patents and trademarks for their motorcycles without even a sliver of a launch plan. It is an activity primarily undertaken to safeguard their intellectual properties and prevent a long-drawn legal hassle. That said, the next most hyped upcoming Honda launch in India is the Honda Activa electric, planned to be launched in early 2025.