Honda's new CB Shine a part of concerted strategy to take on Hero

Japanese bike maker Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India or HMSI has made clear its goal of riding to the top of the motorcycles market. It is already by far the No. 1 in scooters.

"We lead the market in scooters and now want to replicate similar success in the motorcycle segment. We are targeting young customers with the new bike to stay ahead of our peers," HMSI President & CEO Keita Muramatsu told the media in Delhi while introducing the company's 15th new product (including refreshes) for the Indian market this year.

HMSI's new bike, the 125-cc bike CB Shine SP, would compete with Hero's Passion for the fast growing 125-cc market. Honda dominates this with a staggering 44 per cent share and leads the market.

Powered by a 125-cc four stroke engine, the new bike delivers a mileage of 65 kmpl. The bike has combi-brake and five speed gearbox, and would be delivered soon to customers. It is priced at Rs 59,999 lakh ex-showroom Delhi.

The bike market in India has been on the decline on slowing demand from rural markets where half of the bikes sell, while the scooter segment grew by 14 per cent on strong urban demand in the first seven months of the fiscal.