Honda Rebel 300 & ADV 160: E85 Flex-Fuel, Price, Features, Specifications & Key Differences

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has commenced Phase I of its futuristic 10-product portfolio in India by introducing two unique motorcycles in its range – the Honda ADV160, India’s first flex-fuel scooter and the Honda Rebel 300, a home-grown bobber-style cruiser available in an E-Clutch option. Both bikes were launched on August 25, 2026 and will go on bookings across India from August 26 onwards at a token booking amount of ₹5,000 with delivery slated to commence from mid-October 2026 onwards. Here’s all about both the bikes including their specifications, prices and comparison between the two bikes.

The automobile enthusiasts can look forward to these newly-launched Honda vehicles bringing something new to the ever-expanding market for two-wheelers in India in terms of technology, performance, and design.

Honda ADV160: India’s First E85 Flex-Fuel Scooter

The ADV160 is a high-end, adventure-styled scooter that caters to those bike lovers who wish to add some character into their rides than a conventional commuter scooter. Its unique selling proposition is Honda FlexTech technology that makes the engine run on ethanol-petrol fuel blends up to E85 – maximum ethanol content of any two-wheeler currently available in India. The Engine Management System automatically calibrates itself according to the blend of fuel in the tank without requiring any adjustment by the rider.

Moving away from the powertrain, the ADV160 is designed as an actual lifestyle scooter. It gets a 156.93 cc, liquid-cooled engine delivering 16.3 PS and 14.9 Nm of torque mated to CVT automatic transmission. Practicality has not been overlooked either, as it comes equipped with segment-leading 27 liters of under-seat luggage storage that can be used to carry helmets, groceries, or even weekend luggage. 5-inch TFT display with Honda RoadSync functionality provides turn-by-turn navigation as well as call and SMS notifications, whereas Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) ensures proper management of rear-wheel traction in wet or slippery conditions. Braking system consists of discs at both ends featuring single-channel ABS.

The ADV160 retails for ₹1.70 lakh (ex-showroom, Bengaluru) and will be available through both Honda RedWing and Honda BigWing dealerships competing against the likes of Yamaha Aerox 155, Hero Xoom 160, and TVS Ntorq 150; however, none of the competitors offer E85 compatibility at the moment.

Honda ADV160: India's First E85 Flex-Fuel Scooter

Honda Rebel 300: Affordable Cruiser with Honda E-Clutch Technology

Rebel 300 is Honda’s adaptation of its global cruiser line-up to a locally assembled bike that is more affordable for Indian bikers. The design includes a classic bobber theme with a round LED headlight, metal fuel tank, minimal side covers, tubular steel frame, low profile seat, and thick tyres in the style of Honda’s larger model Rebel 500.

Technologically speaking, it features a 286cc liquid-cooled engine with 30 hp (30.4 PS globally) and 27.5 Nm torque mated to a 6-speed transmission. The most impressive thing about it is that Honda’s unique E-Clutch system can be chosen for the top end model. This means that the system automatically manages the operation of the clutch during start-ups and gear shifts but keeps the foot shift and clutch lever to provide complete manual control of the machine.

Other components include a head lamp made of LED Projector, a round-shaped TFT dashboard with RoadSync connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation, Honda Selectable Torque Control, dual-channel ABS, disc brakes on both ends, and alloy wheels. The price of the Rebel 300 motorcycle is set at ₹2.22 lakh for the Standard version and ₹2.62 lakh for the E-Clutch version (ex-showroom, Bengaluru), and will be made available exclusively via Honda BigWing dealerships. Its closest competitor in the market is the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 motorcycle, which is priced around ₹2 lakh but lacks the features such as TFT screen, connectivity, and E-Clutch option.

Honda Rebel 300: Affordable Cruiser with Honda E-Clutch Technology

Honda ADV160 vs Rebel 300: Comparison Table

Feature	Honda ADV160	Honda Rebel 300
Vehicle type	Adventure scooter	Bobber-style cruiser motorcycle
Engine	156.93cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder	286cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder
Power	16.3 PS	30 hp (approx. 30.4 PS)
Torque	14.9 Nm	27.5 Nm
Transmission	CVT (automatic)	6-speed manual (with optional E-Clutch)
Fuel technology	Honda FlexTech, E85 compatible	Standard petrol
Braking	Disc (front & rear), single-channel ABS	Disc (front & rear), dual-channel ABS
Traction control	Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)	Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)
Display	5-inch TFT with RoadSync	Circular TFT with RoadSync
Storage	27-litre under-seat storage	Standard cruiser layout, no under-seat storage
Variants	Single variant	Standard and E-Clutch
Price (ex-showroom, Bengaluru)	₹1.70 lakh	₹2.22 lakh (Standard) / ₹2.62 lakh (E-Clutch)
Dealership network	Honda RedWing & BigWing	Honda BigWing (exclusive)
Booking amount	₹5,000	₹5,000
Expected deliveries	Mid-October 2026	Mid-October 2026
Key rivals	Yamaha Aerox 155, Hero Xoom 160, TVS Ntorq 150	Royal Enfield Meteor 350

Key Differences That Matter to Buyers

1. Fuel technology is unique to ADV160. Only the scooter comes with FlexTech E85 compatibility. Rebel 300 runs on regular gasoline and doesn’t feature any flex-fuel system, and therefore, this difference should not really play a crucial role when comparing both machines – unless you’re specifically looking for a flex-fuel scooter.

2. Riding experience is totally distinct. ADV160 is an automatic scooter with a feet-forward position, while Rebel 300 is a manual bike (semi-automatic due to E-Clutch) featuring a lowered and aggressive riding posture designed to emphasize riding experience and styling.

3. More powerful, more expensive. Engine capacity in Rebel 300 makes 286cc and provides for nearly double the power output and torque compared to the 156.93cc engine in ADV160; and it costs substantially more as well – up to ₹52,000 to ₹92,000, depending on the variant.

4. Firsts, but with different focus. ADV160 is India’s first scooter that features E85 fuel compatibility, while Rebel 300 with E-Clutch version is India’s most affordable E-Clutch motorcycle from Honda. Both of them are indeed “firsts,” but they address different issues.

5. Different braking systems. ADV160 relies on single-channel ABS braking system, while Rebel 300 features dual-channel ABS system which offers better balance of braking pressures on the front and rear wheels.

Which One Should You Choose?

Whereas if practicality, tech-filled scooter that has adventure style, plenty of storage space, and future-oriented fuel technology is your concern, then the ADV160 would certainly be the smarter choice that is considerably more affordable too. But if what you are looking for is the style and feel of a cruiser motorcycle and are ready to spend the extra money for E-Clutch convenience, then the Rebel 300 is designed to cater to the needs of such lifestyle-oriented riders. The two bikes are not actually pitted against one another but happen to be the two flagship products of Honda launched on the same week in India.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. But what does it mean that the Honda ADV160 is compatible with E85 flex-fuel?

It means that the engine of the ADV160, using Honda FlexTech technology, is capable of running on fuel blends that contain up to 85% of ethanol and petrol. However, the engine management system will detect the type of fuel in the tank and make adjustments automatically, so there is no need for any manual changes. In India, the availability of E85 fuel is limited, but the ADV160 can operate on any other fuel blends (including ordinary petrol).

2. Is the Honda Rebel 300 also capable of using E85 fuel?

No. At the moment, this feature is available only in the ADV160. The Honda Rebel 300 is powered by ordinary petrol.

3. What is Honda E-Clutch? Is it an automatic gearbox?

Honda E-Clutch is a semiautomatic clutch that is engaged/disengaged by an electronic process during starts/stops/gear changes. It is not a fully automatic transmission, because a rider still shifts the gears manually via a foot-shift lever, and a clutch lever remains available to switch to manual mode.

4. Which motorcycle is cheaper: Honda ADV160 or Honda Rebel 300?

The Honda ADV160 is available for ₹1.70 lakh ex-showroom, Bengaluru, while the Honda Rebel 300 is offered in two variants – the base model (₹2.22 lakh) and the E-Clutch model (₹2.62 lakh). It means that the Honda Rebel 300 costs ₹52,000-₹92,000 more than the ADV160.

5. When will the ADV160 and Rebel 300 be delivered to customers in India?

Both Honda ADV160 and Honda Rebel 300 are available for booking all over India in exchange for a deposit of ₹5,000, while the deliveries to customers will start in mid-October 2026.

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