Sponsored: Honda CB Hornet 160R, The all-rounder

As a country with a flourishing biking culture, the displacement and power game has taken leaps forward in Indian motorcycling in the last decade or so. Despite this, the 150cc segment – what we refer to as the “premium commuter” segment – is still the mainstay for most Indian motorcycle manufacturers as well as consumers. The reason behind their enduring popularity isn’t hard to guess: in a country where 150cc motorcycles are more often than not the first and only means of conveyance, they offer the right mix of practicality, performance and fuel efficiency, all at a price that wouldn’t need one to break the bank.

With the introduction of the CB Hornet 160R, Honda has set the cat among the pigeons in this segment. It wasn’t just the iconic “Hornet” brand name that captured the attention of the enthusiasts; the CB Hornet 160R is a genuinely stellar product that stands out in an already-overstuffed segment with its aggressive styling and host of modern features.

Eschewing the gangly and innocuous looks that define most 150cc motorcycles, Honda has bravely chosen to go in for a bold and muscular look with the CB Hornet 160R. The sharply-styled fuel tank, with its sporty creases and contours, and the big air scoops underneath it set it apart from the competition. The sharply-styled headlamp with the sleek instrument cowl atop it adds to its mean looks. The all-digital instrument console is orange backlit, and is readable even during daytime.

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This edgy styling is carried on to the rear with a muscular exhaust can draped in matte black with a silver heat protector. Honda was the first Indian manufacturer to offer a monoshock rear suspension with the Unicorn, and this has been carried forward to the CB Hornet 160R too. Along with the tangible benefits that a monoshock offer riders over in terms of comfort and handling, they also serve to impart an upmarket feel to the motorcycle. X-shaped LED tail lamps and all-black alloy wheels round up the CB Hornet 160R’s look.

Swing a leg over the saddle and you will find that, despite the muscular and aggressive stance, the CB Hornet 160R has a comfortable riding posture that is as geared towards long distance rides as your spirited weekend sprints in the twisties. With raised handlebars, a perfectly-cushioned seat, and just-so-slightly rear-positioned footpegs, the CB Hornet 160R’s seating geometry is perfect for long durations in the saddle.  The low seat height is also a boon for Indians, allowing them to comfortably rest both feet on the road at traffic stops.

Moving to the meat of the matter, the Hornet 160R boasts of significant firepower courtesy of the biggest engine in its segment. Its 162.71cc engine is capable of churning out a maximum power figure of 15.7PS at 8,500 rpm while the maximum torque of 14.8 Nm comes in at 6,500 rpm, making the CB Hornet 160R an immensely tractable bike. These figures also make the Hornet 160R the most powerful motorcycle in its segment, a fact that can be appreciated all the more in a package that tips the scales at just 142 kg.

This combination of class-leading power and low weight endows the CB Hornet 160R with a higher power-to-weight ratio than all its peers, enabling it to out-accelerate all of them from the get-go. But it is not just the performance stakes that the CB Hornet 160R shines in; it is also economical to run, with an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency figure of 62 kmpl.

Then there’s the standout safety feature on the CB Hornet 160R: the Honda-proprietary Combi Brake System (CBS). A boon during panic braking and hard braking on roads with less than stellar surfacing (something we just can’t seem to avoid in any part of the country) CBS takes the burden of correctly distributing brake force at front and rear wheels off the rider’s mind. By distributing the brake force equally to the front and rear when the rear brake is pressed alone, CBS lessens the chance of skidding and the rider kissing tarmac.

Aiding to the CB Hornet 160R’s stability is its wheelbase, which, at 1,345mm, is the longest in its segment. This imparts the motorcycle with impressive stability at all speeds, especially while navigating through a sea of slow traffic.

But as they say, a product is more than the sum of its parts, and that is nowhere as apparent as on the CB Hornet 160R from Honda. The muscular styling, brawny engine, class-leading dynamics and features, and that bulletproof Honda reliability all serve to make the CB Hornet 160R the best buy in its segment. It doesn’t sacrifice fun for efficiency or vice versa, but delivers an all-encompassing package that is meant to bring a satisfied smile to the lips of every enthusiast.