--BY SARTHAK RAJ BARAL

The premium 150 (+) cc two-wheeler segment in Nepal is fiercely competitive. The segment extends multiple offerings from varying brands. While the abundance of options is of considerable benefit to the average consumer, it is also a source of great agitation to the brands competing in this segment, each vying to be the top dog.

Honda’s latest gambit at commanding the segment is the revamped Honda CB Hornet 160R. The Japanese manufacturing giant produces multiple bikes carrying the ‘Hornet’ moniker. The Honda CB600F, the successor to the CB250F and the Honda CB900F bear the Hornet sobriquet in the European and Brazilian markets.

How does the new Hornet 160R stack up against its popular contemporaries? Do its speed and sting rival that of its namesake? And is it worth the Rs 299,900 investment? We sought to answer those questions and more when we took out the Honda CB Hornet 160R for a test ride to the scenic village of Nagarkot.

The Hornet’s look and design exudes a degree of attractiveness and yet retains its powerful presence, courtesy of a diamond-shaped muscular fuel tank with angled designs. The usage of colourful but understated graphics on either side of the tank adds to its sporty aesthetic. The neatly designed graphics extend from the top of the fuel tank all the way to the rider's seat, this, in combination with the jagged patterns on the tank and the 5-spoke split alloy wheels, strengthen an exquisite side profile.

The front end persists with the diamond theme where the newly designed always-on LED headlamps with its twin indicator lamps contribute to an aggressive profile. On the rear, the hornet sports an X-shaped LED tail light, giving the rear a unique presence. From the rider's perspective, one is greeted by a digital centre console, which is always a welcome sight. Although the continued decision to omit an engine kill switch is a bemusing one. Riding in the city is a stop-start experience courtesy the chock-a-block traffic, and the engine kill switch is a fundamental component of optimising fuel consumption. Further, provided the lopsided nature of Nepal's topography, the kill switch is an essential safety feature.

As an overall package from a design viewpoint, the Hornet checks all the required boxes save the engine kill switch and with a few added flairs of its own, it cruises through the design aspect with flying colours.

The upgraded Hornet comes in five colour variants: green on grey, orange on grey, red, yellow and blue.

The powerful BS-IV compliant 162.71 cc engine can deliver up to 11.22 Kilowatts of power at 8500 rpm and 14.76 newton-metres of torque at 6500 rpm, figures that incorporate to produce a highly capable piece of machinery. The acceleration on the Hornet is perfectly competent and more than ideal for the average consumer, even with a pillion rider in tow. The acceleration is proficient enough to render in-city overtaking an elementary task. A responsive 5-speed gearbox regulates the power; the ratios are well distributed and efficient, particularly for navigating heavy traffic.

Honda claims the Hornet has a top speed of 110 km/h and a mileage of 60 km/l. In real-world usage, the mileage translates to anywhere between 40-50 km/h. The ride quality on the Hornet is one of its most prominent features. The rider stance is bold and upright and coupled with the wide handlebar and the toe-only gear shift, the ergonomics of the riding experience are well taken care of.

The handling is effective; turning corners, even at elevated speeds, did not prove to be difficult. The wide rear tyres serve to bolster the handling and provide extra grip in off-road conditions. The mono suspension on the Hornet makes riding on less than ideal road conditions a lot more convenient. The seat itself is comfortable enough and falls well in line with the expectations in this segment.

The Hornet comes with Honda’s patented combi brake system (CBS); which essentially means that applying pressure on the brake will distribute braking forces evenly to the front and rear brakes and while the ABS variant has yet to be announced for the Nepali market, the CBS is a reliable system and adds to the safety of the bike. The dual disk brakes respond swiftly and certainly provide sufficient bite. Another new safety element is the inclusion of a hazard light switch, which will prove helpful in situations when the bike has to come to an emergency stop and will provide riders with a renewed sense of confidence when navigating low-light conditions.

Final Impressions
On the ride to Nagarkot and back, the Hornet was put through its paces and performed admirably. Although the relaunched Honda CB Hornet 160R provides an alluring package to every consumer segment, with its sleek yet muscular design, colourful graphics, sporty aesthetic and a robust engine, the bike is targeted at the youth in particular and given its specifications; it has the potential to be successful within the demographic. Not that the bike doesn’t have much to grant to other demographics, it is a reliable all-around package. The Hornet crams abundant power in a slender, relatively lightweight frame. This greatly accentuates the handling and the ride quality. Further, Honda bikes are known to have great resale value. All things considered, the upgraded Honda CB Hornet 160R is not only a worthy investment; it is also a bike that will rapidly grow on buyers as they conquer the streets on this gentle giant.