[flickr size=”center” float=”medium”]http://www.flickr.com/photos/motorbeam/40599888955/[/flickr]
Fit and finish levels are good; wires are neatly tucked in
Verdict – The X-Blade is an all-rounder and there are no two ways about that. With sufficient amount of performance, features and practicality, this motorcycle is one of the most sorted offerings in the market. And so are others from the Honda stable. So, what makes the X-Blade special? Well, it is the styling. Like it or not, you definitely can’t ignore it! Design elements such as the LED headlamp, all-digital console, grab rails and tail-lamp help lift up the visual appeal of this bike which makes it more desirable, or undesirable, according to one’s taste and preferences. However, if you’ve decided to go in for a Honda in this segment, it is the X-Blade that you should opt for. There is some equipment which the automaker had to deliberately skip for the sake of product differentiation such as a rear disc brake, ABS, or even CBS for that matter, which makes the X-Blade not the best choice in this segment. But for those looking at non-ABS motorcycles, this one makes a lot of sense because of its fresher styling and longer feature list! Believe it or not, the X-Blade does commuter duties really well with the engine tune Honda has selected for this bike.
[flickr size=”center” float=”medium”]http://www.flickr.com/photos/motorbeam/27621876628/[/flickr]
From the front, the X-Blade does look very modern and premium
What’s Cool
* Striking design makes it stand out from the crowd
* Refined, responsive and frugal engine
* Single-piece seat is spacious and conventional grab rails are practical
* Features such as LED headlamps, hazard lights and gear position indicator on offer
What’s Not So Cool
* Stiff ride quality, further aggravated by the hard seat compound
* No CBS or rear disc brake on offer
[flickr size=”center” float=”medium”]http://www.flickr.com/photos/motorbeam/39684473110/[/flickr]
Although this bike is not as off-road friendly as its styling would have you believe, it has enough ground clearance to tackle rough stretches
Honda X-Blade Specifications
* Engine: 162.71cc, Air-cooled, 4-stroke
* Power: 13.93 BHP @ 8500 RPM
* Torque: 13.9 Nm @ 6000 RPM
* Transmission: 5-speed, one-down-four-up pattern
* 0-100 km/hr: 18.37 seconds
* Top Speed: 108 km/hr
* Fuel Consumption: 43-45 km/litre
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Frame: Diamond
* Suspension: Telescopic Forks (Front), Monoshock (Rear)
* Tyres: 80/100/17 (Front), 130/70/17 (Rear), MRF Zapper
* Brakes: 276 mm Disc (Front), 130 mm Drum (Rear)
Honda X-Blade Dimensions
* Length x Width x Height: 2013 mm x 786 mm x 1115 mm
* Wheelbase: 1347 mm
* Ground Clearance: 160 mm
* Seat Height: 795 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 12-litres
* Kerb Weight: 140 kgs
[wp-review id=”212843″]
