Honda X-Blade silently removed from website, models discontinued

Honda is the second-largest two-wheeler manufacturer in India and it boasts an extensive lineup of scooters and motorcycles in its product portfolio. Recently, the company made a subtle yet significant change by removing the X-Blade model from its official Indian website. This quiet de-listing has led to speculation that Honda may have permanently discontinued this sporty commuter bike from its lineup.

With the apparent removal of the X-Blade, Honda's 160cc motorcycle offerings have been reduced to two models: the Unicorn and the SP160. All three bikes shared the same fundamental architecture and powertrain, though with slight variations in power output. The decision to discontinue the X-Blade, while not officially confirmed, is not entirely unexpected given the model's historically underwhelming sales performance in the Indian market.

The X-Blade, during its time in the market, was available in four distinct colour options: Matte Marvel Blue Metallic, Matte Steel Black Metallic, Strontium Silver Metallic, and Sports Red. It featured a design language that Honda described as futuristic, characterised by a robotic face, sharp body panels, and a distinctive X-shaped taillight. In terms of features, the X-Blade was equipped with a fully digital instrument console, LED headlamp and taillamp, an engine start/stop switch, and a hazard switch, positioning it as a modern offering in its segment.

The suspension setup of the X-Blade consisted of twin telescopic forks at the front and a monoshock at the rear, providing a balance of comfort and handling. The braking system featured a 276mm petal disc at the front, complemented by single-channel ABS, while the rear utilised a 130mm drum brake. For riders seeking enhanced stopping power, Honda also offered an optional rear disc brake. The motorcycle rode on 17-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels, fitted with an 80/100-17 section tyre at the front and a wider 130/70-17 section tyre at the rear.

At the heart of the X-Blade was a 163cc air-cooled, single-cylinder engine. This power plant was capable of producing 13.5 bhp at 8000 rpm and a peak torque of 14.7 Nm at 5500 rpm. Power transmission was handled by a 5-speed gearbox, providing a good balance between performance and fuel efficiency for urban and highway riding.

In the highly competitive Indian motorcycle market, the X-Blade faced stiff competition not only from its siblings in Honda's lineup but also from other manufacturers' offerings in the 160cc segment. Its primary rivals included popular models such as the Yamaha FZ S, Suzuki Gixxer, TVS Apache RTR 160, and the Bajaj Pulsar N160. Each of these competitors brought their unique strengths to the table, making the 160cc category one of the most hotly contested in the Indian two-wheeler market.

The apparent discontinuation of the X-Blade reflects the dynamic nature of the Indian motorcycle market, where manufacturers must continuously evaluate and adjust their product portfolios to meet changing consumer preferences and maintain competitiveness. While Honda has not made an official statement regarding the X-Blade's status, its removal from the company's website suggests a strategic decision to streamline the 160cc offerings and focus on models with stronger market performance.