Spec Shootout - Honda Hornet 2.0 v rivals

Honda has launched its latest naked offering in form of the Hornet 2.0 a couple of months back. Considering the Rs 1.26 lakh, ex-showroom price tag, we thought it would be apt to do a spec shoot out with the current crop of 200cc nakeds that have received the BS6 treatment, i.e. the KTM Duke 200, the 2021 Apache RTR 200 4v, Bajaj Pulsar NS 200, Hero Xtreme 200s and the Yamaha FZ25. The reason for including the Hero Xtreme 200s and Yamaha FZ25 are, the former is in essence based a naked bike (Xtreme 200r) with the only difference being the fairing. The latter, despite being a 250cc, has similar power and performance figures to that of a 200cc while also being priced in the same ballpark.

On to the shootout:

Engine:

Powering the Hornet 2.0 is a bored-out version of the mill found on the CB Hornet 160 R, upping the displacement to 184cc. The engine is good for 17bhp at 8500rpm and 16.1Nm of torque at 6000rpm. In terms of performance figures, the Hornet 2.0 is closest to the Hero Xtreme 200s, hence, its inclusion in this list. The 200 Duke has the most powerful engine off the lot with the Pulsar NS200 coming a close second. The Duke and the Pulsar are also the only bikes that have a sixth speed in their gearbox. The Apache RTR 200 4v on the other hand is the only bike that offers a slipper clutch.

Chassis and equipment:

Honda has completely overhauled the CB Hornet 160 R in the process of creating the Hornet 2.0. Not just aesthetically but also structurally, in form of revising the diamond frame to be able to accommodate the bored-out engine. The bike is also bestowed with USD’s, the only other bike in the shootout that comes equipped with USD’s is the KTM 200 Duke. The wheelbase is up by 8mm making 1355mm. The rear tyre used is also wider now at 140mm over the CB Hornet 160 R’ 130mm. Braking duties are handled by a 276mm disc at the front and a 220mm disc at the rear and is equipped with single-channel ABS, identical in terms of dimensions to the Xtreme 200s. the KTM and the Bajaj, yet again have the biggest brakes on offer while the KTM also boasts of the widest tyres.

In terms of the frames used, the Hornet 2.0, Xtreme 200s and the FZ25 all have diamond frames while the 200 Duke has a steel trellis frame further adding to its sporty credentials. The Apache uses a double cradle split synchro stiff frame and the pulsar is bolted onto a perimeter frame.

Features:

The Hornet 2.0 features a negatively lit digital instrument cluster, LED headlamp and single channel ABS. it also features an engine kill-switch which wasn’t present on the Hornet CB 160 R. The Apache RTR 200 4v is the best equipped off the lot with features like riding modes, Bluetooth pairing, turn by turn navigation, race telemetry, SMS alerts apart from the class standard features like digital instrument cluster, dual channel ABS, LED headlamp etc. The Pulsar NS200 feels the most dated in this sense courtesy its semi digital instrument cluster and halogen headlamps and single channel ABS that have stayed the same since the last few generations of the bike. The Hero Xtreme also comes equipped with turn by turn navigation and single channel ABS. While the Yamaha FZ25 comes with Dual channel ABS.

Price:

The price of the Honda Hornet 2.0 is Rs 1.27 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) making it Rs 12,000-odd dearer than the Hero Xtreme 200s. The KTM 200 Duke at Rs 1.72 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), is the most expensive bike in this comparison with the Yamaha FZ25 coming in second at Rs 1.52 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), The TVS Apache RTR 200 4v and the Bajaj Pulsar both come in at Rs 1.31 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).