Sorry Readers, We Have Let You Down

Dear Readers,

Apologies are in order. As automotive journalists, we do our best to give accurate and concise insights on the subject all of us hold so close to our hearts – automobiles. But despite our best attempts, we do fall short sometimes when the enthusiast in us clouds our judgement. But that’s no excuse.

Honda Teases A Potential 300cc ADV!

We are sorry to give you hopes of a 300cc ADV from Honda. In our defence, with the small-capacity ADV market exploding with options and more bikes like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, Hero Xpulse 400 coming soon, we thought Honda would be joining the bandwagon as well. And with bikes like the Honda CRF300L Rally and the XRE 300 (which graced the Auto Expo 2023), and our much-loved CB500X available in India (although egregiously priced), we were waiting for Honda Motorcycle And Scooter India to bring some more action to the segment… and we still are.

Is Honda ADV 160 India-bound?

Because the second teaser led us to believe that the Japanese bikemaker is introducing its ADV 160 maxi-scooter in India. More performance, more fuel tank capacity and even storage space than the Yamaha Aerox 155. All that with a rugged appearance and hardware to handle our riding conditions. Even if it demanded Rs 1.5 lakh (e-showroom), wouldn’t enthusiasts like us have welcomed it with open arms?

But clearly, Honda had a bigger fish to fry – the 125cc sporty scooter segment that has the TVS NTorq 125, Suzuki Avenis and the Aprilia SR 125. Oh how we keep hoping Honda would lead the charge in some enthusiast segment, like they did with the launch of the original CBR250R!

BREAKING: Honda Forza 350 Could Debut Next Month

But that wasn’t the first time we thought Honda had big plans for India. The Japanese bikemaker’s teaser of the ‘The Formidable’ had us dreaming of the Forza 350. After all, a (maxi) scooter delivering performance that is comparable with the BMW G 310 R and KTM 250 Duke without compromising on space, practicality and comfort is something that would fit the bill for many. But unfortunately, the ‘Formidable’ turned out to be the “Forgettable” CB300F. Yes, we were as disappointed as you when we saw this bike instead of the maxi-scooter.

BREAKING: New TVS Bike Launch Tomorrow: Apache RR 310 RP Incoming?

The TVS Apache RTR 160 2V and the Apache RTR 180 aren’t the first options that would come to your mind as “The All-New Racer’s Choice.”, right? And that’s exactly what the TVS press conference invite said. After getting the taste of the TVS Apache RTR 165 RP, naturally, the Race Performance (RP) version of the Apache RR 310 was TVS’ next, or so we thought. Perhaps, the TVS-Petronas alliance and the Hosur-based bikemaker’s love for racing led us to believe that the brand would introduce a more focused, race-ready version of its flagship motorcycle.

TVS Is Gearing Up To Unleash Its Flagship Naked

This is where we weren’t fully wrong. We just got the timing wrong. So, while the big reveal at the TVS MotoSoul 2023 were the custom Ronins, the bikemaker has indeed started working on its streetfighter and going by the spy shots, it looks bloody good! 

Will The New Raider Be The First ADV Bike From TVS?

The name ‘Raider’ gives an idea of someone who barges into others territory. Now, isn’t this apt for an ADV… and even more when you think that this would have been TVS’ first one. And with over four decades of racing experience (particularly in off-road racing and even the Dakar Rally… rally raid… you see the connection?), TVS had everything to rattle the small-capacity ADV market… well, at least that’s what we thought. But a 125cc commuter with this name was the last thing that would have come to our mind. Nevertheless, the Raider is a fantastic motorcycle that actually justified its name, just not the way we thought it would.

Yes, we are guilty of building your hopes and even sometimes crushing them. But that’s also because we are very much like  most of you – we are people who grew up dreaming and lusting after automobiles and for the times we have faltered like this, we are sorry. Yes, we are automobile journalists, but more than that we are big, crazy-hearted enthusiasts, just like you.

And probably that’s why every time a bikemaker hints at a new release, we hope and dream that it will be something that you and I probably would want in our garage. And every time we are wrong, it’s not just your hopes and dreams that are crushed, but ours too. 

Yours Sincerely,

Team ZigWheels