Honda XBlade BS4 vs BS6: What’s New?

What’s the truckload of extra cash buying you on the updated bike?

With most of its popular smaller capacity models taken care of, Honda has turned its attention to updating some of its larger bikes, starting with the launch of the XBlade BS6 just yesterday. But it’s not all good news, we’re afraid. It looks pretty much the same, but prices have gone up by a MASSIVE Rs 17,500! So, what’s all that extra cash buying you? We find out by comparing the updated BS6 bike to its BS4 

Powertrain

Let’s start off with the biggest change on the new bike. While the BS6 version might look pretty much identical to the earlier bike, it’s powered by a completely new engine. The 162.71cc single-cylinder air-cooled unit is the same one seen in the Unicorn BS6, but the output figures are slightly different on the XBlade. Here, it produces 13.86PS and 14.7Nm, which is 0.26PS lower and 0.8Nm higher than the BS4 XBlade. The Unicorn, with its more commuter-friendly, high-mileage role, has slightly more modest figures of 12.9PS and 14Nm. The XBlade continues to use a 5-speed gearbox.

Features

The earlier XBlade was already a pretty well-equipped motorcycle, coming with features like an LED headlight, fully-digital instrumentation and a hazard lamp switch. This has left Honda with little room for improvement, but we’re still disappointed to see the absence of an ACG starter, especially since the price hike is huge AND all the brand’s small models get the feature. Honda has tried to spruce things up by adding an engine kill switch, though.

Underpinnings

Not much has changed in this area. The XBlade continues to be held together by a single-downtube cradle frame, and suspension duties are handled by a telescopic fork and preload-adjustable monoshock. The front brake has remained the same -- a 276mm petal disc -- but Honda is now offering the option of a 220mm rear disc for the first time, alongside a 130mm rear drum variant. Despite the all-new engine having to meet stricter emission norms, weight has gone up by just 1kg, with the XBlade now tipping the scales at 143.

Price & Variants

The BS4 bike sat well below the Rs 1 lakh mark at a modest Rs 89,136 price tag, with only one variant on offer. Now in BS6 form, the XBlade offers two variants (front disc and double disc), but prices start at Rs 1,06,687 for the front disc version. The more expensive double disc variant will set you back by a significant Rs 1,10,968, making it nearly as expensive as the Suzuki Gixxer BS6, which also received yet another price hike recently. To find out how much the Gixxer now costs, head here.