HONDA has launched the cheapest bike in its line-up in a new push to take over the massive Indian market.

The 110cc Dream Yuga is designed specifically for India, so don't expect to see one in your local dealer, but at only 44,642 Rupees it's the cheapest bike in the firms existing range and, taking inflation into account, probably the cheapest that Honda has ever made.

Under plans to increase its presence in India following the dissolution of its joint venture with Hero, Honda intends to make the Indian market account for a third of its income from bikes by 2020. And the way to do that is by selling enormous numbers of bikes.

Take these figures for a starter: In the UK, Honda's best seller last year was the CBF125. It sold 2275 of them over 12 months. It plans to sell 300,000 Dream Yugas in India before the end of the current financial year in ten months' time.

You wouldn't expect much sophistication from a bike that's cheaper than a decent-spec iPad, and you don't get much. With 8.5bhp at 7500rpm, a carb instead of injection, kick-start, cable-operated drum brakes and only four gears, it's price isn't the only element that seems to be from another era. But there is a small fairing and adjustable preload for the rear suspension, while a few more rupees adds alloy wheels and even an electric starter. The lack of kit is a benefit when it comes to weight, too, which totals just 108kg. And despite only having an 8-litre fuel tank, the engine is so frugal that Honda expects a range of over 340 miles between fill-ups.