5 Will the "Yamaha Fazer 250" and "Honda CBX 250 Twister" be ever launched in India..??

The "Yamaha Fazer 250" and the Honda CBX 250 Twister" has been the hot topic of discussion forums.. but are these bikes really coming to India..??

Flashback: Auto Expo 2006:

Following the Auto Expo held in January 2006 at New Delhi, most of the Indian Auto Magazines have devoted at least a few pages in one of its issues carrying a few photos of two particular 250 cc models manufactured in Brazil. These two models have been

• Yamaha Fazer 250


• Honda 250 Twister

The Result..??

Q. Auto Expo 2008 is just 4 months away. So where are those 250 cc’s..??

A. Well, they are still in Brazil.

Expectations from Yamaha India and Honda (HMSI) suddenly went sky high; Internet forums were abuzz with excited members contributing with pictures and specs of the two 250 cc bikes. Finally there was hope that “desi” bikers would soon get a taste proper 250 cc bikes without having to resort to imports.

Aahh.. the Evil that Auto magazines do..

Bike India Magazine, featuring the Yamaha Fazer 250

Welcome to the real world:

Q. Auto Expo 2008 is just 4 months away. So where are those 250 cc’s..??

A. Well, they are still in Brazil.

So what happened..?? Why haven’t Yamaha and Honda brought these 250 cc bikes in India..??

Let’s look for some answers:

The Yamaha stall at the auto expo 2006 did exhibit a black 250 cc Fazer

Neither Yamaha nor Honda (HMSI) ever said that they have any plans of introducing a 250 cc bike for India. It was actually the Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi which Bajaj had showcased in the 2006 Auto Expo which led to the magazines speculating that the Indian market would now littered with 250 cc bikes.

To be fair to these magazines it wasn’t entirely their fault. The Yamaha stall at the auto expo did exhibit a black 250 cc Fazer. Moreover the Fazer 250 also featured “fuel injection” technology like the Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi. So it was natural for everyone to speculate that the “fuel injected” Yamaha Fazer 250 was in the horizon.

Yamaha Fazer 250

Now since everyone was almost sure that the Yamaha might bring in the Fazer 250 to India, it was natural for everyone to conclude that Honda would definitely follow it up with its own "CBX 250 cc Twister" since both these models compete with each other in the Brazilian market.

Honda CBX 250 Twister

So what are the future prospects..??

Before speculating whether either Honda or Yamaha is going to launch its 250 cc motorcycles, we have to understand whether these launches are going to benefit these companies at all..

It doesn’t make sense for both Honda and Yamaha to bring in its 250 cc models. Not unless either of them want to make a statement.

The 223 cc Hero Honda Karizma and the 220 cc Bajaj Pulsar DTS-Fi has certainly prepared the Indian two wheeler market to a certain degree for a 250 cc bike. The only question for these two global giants to be addressed are..

Can they get the pricing right for India..??

Are they really prepared to launch these models in India..??

The sole purpose of any business is to make profit by selling its product and services. Therefore before speculating whether either Honda or Yamaha is going to launch its 250 cc motorcycles, we have to understand whether these launches are going to benefit these companies at all.


The 250 cc bikes aren’t going to rake in huge sales numbers.

Even if these 250 cc bikes are launched in India, their sales might be just limited to a few thousand every month. Moreover they will have to compete with the likes of the Hero Honda Karizma and the Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi which are already there in the market.

Neither of these two global giants have a market share of even 5 % of the Indian motorcycle industry. So the most important issue for both Honda and Yamaha right now is to gain market share. And market share can only be obtained by catering to the 100 cc-125 cc “commuter” segment which still continues to consist of two-thirds of the Indian motorcycle market. If not then maybe the fast growing 150-165 cc segment might also bring in the numbers.

Therefore it doesn’t make sense for both Honda and Yamaha to bring in its 250 cc models. Not unless either of them want to make a statement.



So does Honda or Yamaha need to make a statement..??

Honda in India enjoys such a reputation, that consumers would still have faith in it even if it doesn’t have any premium offering in its lineup.

On the other hand, the present line up of 100-125 cc bikes are actually an embarrassment for Yamaha. Indians associate the Yamaha brand only with performance. In order to live up to the expectation of the consumers, Yamaha India has to have a premium offering which will do justice to its brand image.


Not surprisingly Honda has publicly announced recently that it has a 100 cc motorcycle as its future plans for the Indian market and Yamaha has made public its plans of launching a 150-165 cc bike for India.

You might ask. Why a 165 cc why not the Fazer 250..?

Considering the not so impressive dealerships of Yamaha across the country, a 165 cc bike probably makes more sense rather than the "fuel injected" 250 cc Fazer.



Conclusion:

• Bajaj definitely need a Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi to prove a point that they are "Distinctly Ahead".



• Honda doesn’t need to make any such point since it is “Definitely Ahead” at least across the world. What it needs in India is to to gain market share



• Yamaha India badly needs to make its presence felt but probably doesn’t have the resources or the guts to go in for a 250 cc.. at least not till the time is right

In the end, I'd like to state that "I'll be the happiest guy if Honda and Yamaha decides go ahead and prove me wrong..!!"

SPECIFICATIONS OF FAZER 250CC:

Engine = 4 stroke SOHC
Transmission = 5 speed
Engine Capacity = 249.0 cc

Max Power: 21bhp @ 7500 rpm
Max Torque: 20.5926 NM / 2.10 kgm @ 6500 rpm
Compression: 9.80:1
Bore x Stroke: 74.0 x 58.0

Dry Weight: 134 kg

Tank Capacity: 19.2 litres
Fuel Injection

Battery: 12V 6AH
Electric Start

Front tyre: 100/80/17
Rear tyre: 130/70/17

Suspension

Front: Telescopic
Rear: monolink/monoshock

Brakes

282mm Disk up front
130mm drum at rear



Specifications of the Honda CBX 250 Twister

Engine: Single Cylinder - Air-cooled 4-stroke 4-valve DOHC
Capacity: 249cc

Max Power : 24 bhp @ 8000rpm
Max Torque: 2.48 Kgm @ 6000rpm

Power to weight ratio: 131.5bhp / tonne
Carb/FI : Carb
Gearbox: 6 Speed

Brakes (Fr) : 276mm dia single disc
Brakes (Rr) : 130mm dia drum
Suspension (Fr) : Telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers (130mm)
Suspension (Rr) : Mono-shock, 100mm travel
Tyres (Fr) : 100/80 * 17 (Tubeless on alloys)
Tyres (Rr) : 130/70 * 17 (Tubeless on alloys)

Length: 2030mm
Height:1050mm
Width: 745mm
Wheelbase: 1370mm
Saddle height: 780mm

Fuel capacity: 16 L
Dry Weight: 139.7 kgs

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Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.