Honda just moved 5.17 lakh two-wheelers in August 2026. That’s a 7.5% climb over the same month last year. For a market that often treats scooters as an afterthought to motorcycles, the numbers tell a different story. The Activa did the heavy lifting here. It alone accounted for 2.56 lakh units. That’s nearly half of the brand’s total volume. And up 4.7% from last year. But the real story isn’t just the scooter. It’s what’s happening at the other end of the spectrum.
The Shine 125 remains the workhorse. 1.61 lakh units sold in August. Up 13.7% year-on-year. It’s the bike you see everywhere. Office runs, college commutes, small deliveries. The standard Shine added another 19,895 units. That’s a 30.9% bounce from July. Meanwhile, the CB Unicorn 150 is quietly gaining ground. 35,394 units in August. Up 20.9% from a year ago. It’s the sweet spot for riders who want more power than a Shine but don’t want to pay for a CB 350.
The Dio is struggling. The standard model saw a 40.7% drop year-on-year. 15,208 units is a hard number to swallow when it was 25,632 a year ago. But the Dio 125 is climbing. 12,462 units, up 15.4% from July. It suggests buyers are upgrading to the bigger engine within the same scooter family. Then there’s the CB 350. 5,757 units in August. That’s a 123.5% surge compared to last year. It’s not a volume player yet, but it’s the fastest-growing model in the lineup. The CB 125 Hornet, H’ness, and SP 160 added smaller but steady contributions.
What does this mean for you? If you’re buying a commuter, the Activa and Shine aren’t just popular. They’re the default. The supply chain is mature. Parts are cheap. Resale is strong. But if you’re looking for something with a bit more character, the CB 350’s growth is a signal. Honda is pushing hard in the mid-capacity segment. The CB Unicorn 150 is the bridge. It’s gaining traction fast. The Dio’s decline is a warning. Buyers are moving up in engine size, or switching brands. Watch the next quarter. If the CB 350 keeps this pace, Honda is building a serious premium motorcycle presence. The commuter base is solid. The premium base is waking up.