Honda India has been absent from the sporty end of the 150cc segment, ever since it discontinued the CBR150R a few years ago. That might change, though, given the fact that the company has registered the design of the new CBR150R in India. This particular motorcycle has been on sale in markets such as Indonesia for some time now, but what has gotten us interested is that it is a rival to the ever-popular Yamaha R15.
To begin with, the Honda CBR150R looks like a proper mini sport bike, with a sharp fairing, chiselled fuel tank and upswept tail. The side fairing has been neatly integrated as well. In terms of equipment, there’s all-LED lighting and a reverse LCD instrument cluster.
The bike is powered by a 149.2cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that makes 17.1hp and 14.4Nm. In comparison, the Yamaha R15 V4’s 155cc, liquid-cooled engine makes 18.4hp and 14.2Nm.
In terms of the chassis, the CBR150R utilises a diamond frame, suspended by a USD fork and a monoshock.
While both motorcycles are closely matched on paper, the Yamaha is quite a popular and established motorcycle in India. Whether Honda will follow up the design registration of the CBR150R In India with actually launching the bike here is something only time will tell.
Let us know in the comments if Honda should launch the CBR150R in our market
Ved Janve
Dinshaw Magol
