Honda’s All New CBR 150 R

Honda seems to be on fire. With the bikes that they are introducing recently, it is clear that they are targeting the super bike savvy youth who does not mind shedding a little too much money for the right machine. They have introduced CBR 250 R in the market, and now are following this up with a much lighter and cheaper variant of the same bike. And so, enters the market Honda CBR 150 R. Now, we all know that the 150 cc segment of the motorbike industry has been the most successful segment in the country in the last decade or so. This might very well be the reason why Honda has brought this bike up. Let us take a look at the bike and see if they have got it right.

Honda CBR 250 R is a lighter, smaller version of their much successful CBR 1000 RR (Fireblade) motorcycle. Yet the bike looked a bit more like Honda’s VFR 1200 F. The new CBR 150 R also looks the same, only smaller. Now, I do not dare to say that Honda has engineered this bike into perfection, but it is far better equipment in comparison to most of the other 150 cc bikes in our market. As it should be considering the high price tag it comes along with. Its sporty full cowling resembles Honda’s racing bikes and along with the elegantly designed headlamps adds a much craved racing look to the bike. The graphics on the body and the elegant cuts on the side add further to the oomph factor. When we look at the functionality side, which most sports bikes are not know for, we have yet another surprise, in the form of an under the seat storage area, from Honda. The storage is spacious enough to even hold a rain coat, if necessary.

Once we get over the surface and dig deep into the bike, we find out that it is not just looks that Honda has got right. The bike has a 149.4 cc DOHC, 4 valve, 4 cylinder, liquid cooled SI engine which can generate a maximum power of 17.57 bhp at 10500 rpm. This makes it the most powerful, commercially available, 150 cc motor bike in India, which is very impressive. This chain driven vehicle has a six speed manual transmission with wet multiplate type clutch. In the front end of the bike we will find a 276 mm disk brake system while there is a 220 mm disk brake system. The engine is tuned in a way to optimize performance both at low and high rpm. Also the presence of fuel injection system makes sure the bike delivers better mileage. On the downside, even when the tires are tubeless one would wish if they were a bit softer so as to provide better road grip at corners. Apart from this small flaw the Honda has mostly nailed the bike, that is, if you can digest the price tag.

Price: Rs. 141000 - Rs. 145000 (On Road Bangalore)
Alternative Rides: Yamaha R15 Version 2.0, Pulsar 200 NS, KTM Duke