As per the latest media reports, the Japanese bikemaker, Honda Motors, has patented an off-road motorbike that looks to be quite similar to the NXR 160 Bros marketed in the Brazilian market. An exclusive image of the application has leaked and revealed that the brand has filed a patent for the NXR bike. The patent for the entry NXR has not been submitted for the first time. Honda patented the entry-level ADV in India for the first time in 2015.
At the time, India had its own counterpart to the NXR 160 called the Hero Impulse (which was based on the NXR 160 Bros). The difference is that the new patent covers the most recent version on the market. Honda may explore bringing it here as competition in the small and mid-size ADV segment heats up. The ADV segment has emerged as the most potential segment in India’s two-wheeler industry. Because of the changing mindset of motorcyclists and the hazardous road conditions, these dual-sport motorcycles are gaining popularity and demand.
Although applying for a patent does not ensure the launch of a product, it does disclose that the manufacturer is thinking along those lines. The Brazil-spec NXR 160 Bros is powered by a 162.7 cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine, delivering 14.6 HP at 8500 RPM and 14.4 Nm of torque at 6000 RPM. The engine is linked to a 5-speed gearbox system. To clarify the facts, this looks to be the same engine used in Honda’s X-Blade (and Unicorn).
Besides, the chassis is formed of a semi-double-cradle frame supported by telescopic forks at the front and a mono-shock at the back, giving it the DNA of a real dual-sports motorcycle. Braking is done by a 240mm single disc arrangement up front and a 220mm single disc setup up back. Off-roads are faced with a 19” front wheel and a 17” rear wheel coated in knobby tyres.