Honda CBR150R

The styling in one word can be described as upswept. Every line on the bike makes it look like it is doing 100 kmph even when it is parked. This comes from the fact that the design draws inspiration from the CBR 1000RR. The front gets dual keen LED lighting and a large v-shaped groove. There are indicators on stalks but they are perhaps even more striking than the headlights themselves. The long and slim headlights with the slits on top of them give the front an almost alien appearance. There is a tiny windscreen on top with a very swanky and slim digital display behind it. The exhaust is also a sophisticated square ended piece that goes very well with the sporty under cowl. The rear rides high and the split rear seat presents a daunting task. The high tank gives it a big brawny look but actually, the bike is quite slim. Get on top or look at the tires and you will know what I’m talking about. The bike is 1983 mm long, 694 mm wide, and 1039 mm wide with a wheelbase of 1309 mm. This means that while the wheelbase has increased the actual bike is now shorter. The 166 mm of ground clearance speaks well of its usability. The seat is quite manageable at 786 mm for shorter riders. There are three color options – Red, Black, and Honda’s Repsol livery which also comes with orange wheels. Speaking of wheels, it rides on 17-inch cast alloy wheels with a 100/80 tire on the front and a 130/70 on the rear. Behind that rear wheel is another remarkable feature which is the detachable rear fender. These guys really have thought of everything.

The biggest factor in the handling department is the riding position. The bike might look aggressive but the seating position is almost vertical thanks to the raised handlebars making it very relaxed. If the rider wants to push hard they have to really crouch down as the windscreen is too tiny to be of any use. The narrow tank doesn’t help too much either. However, the bike is not shy of twisties. It even comes with a banking sensor. The suspension uses a diamond truss frame riding on telescopic forks in the front and a Pro-Link Monoshock in the rear. The lightweight (137 kg wet) bike is easy to ride on city roads and very good fun on twisties. The performance then makes it an all-rounder.

The Honda CBR 150R is powered using a 149 cc liquid cooled and fuel injected DOHC single cylinder with 4 valves. Peak power is rated at 12.6 kW at 9000 rpm and peak torque is rated at 13.7 nm at 7000 rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed transmission. There is plenty of torque for all your overtaking needs. Otherwise, the rider can comfortably stay at 3000-4000 rpm all day puttering around the city. The bike comes in its own when pushed beyond the 7000 rpm mark, where the majority of the torque resides. It carries around a 12-litre fuel tank and the engine also delivers good fuel economy range of 30 – 40 kmpl. The radiator also uses an auto fan that automatically turns on when a threshold temperature is reached.

There are hydraulic disc brakes front and rear. The front gets a 276 mm disc while the rear has a smaller 220 mm disc.

While the bike is pricey it has a lot going for it. It has striking looks, fun yet comfortable riding characteristics, and decent equipment levels. But these bikes cannot be looked at in isolation without comparing them against their biggest rivals. And compared to the Yamaha YZF R15, it is a bit down on power and higher in price. What that means in the real world depends a lot on the rider themselves. Is the Honda worth its Php 152000 price tag? Only you can decide.