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Many of us keep on posting for which bike to buy. I too had the same question few years back. I always wanted to write on the 150cc segment bikes. And there could not be any other forum better than Xbhp. This long descriptive review may further help buyers to go for their own choices. The whole write up is totally my opinion and i wish all the readers will add valuable inputs to it. Please pay some time to read this. Feedbacks and opinions are always welcome.
There were days when Indian roads were full of 100cc motorcycles. Hero Honda CD 100 DELUXE & SS models, Bajaj Boxer etc. were low powered, fuel efficient machines which happily met the needs of an average Indian commuter. The enthusiasts were limited to Royal Enfield, Yezdi or Yamaha RX100 or modified or imported bikes. The revolution in Indian biking scenario was unavoidable. Hero Honda, the then undisputed king of the motorcycle market, launched the CBZ which used the original Honda 156.8 cc engine, in 1999. CBZ was a scaled version of the famous Honda CB series. The over-square engine that met Euro1 (European Emission Standard), was fed by a Keihin slide type carburettor with accelerator pump for better pick-up. In fact it was first Indian two-wheeler to meet this norm. It made use of a larger spring operated nozzle to provide a richer fuel air mixture into the engine for better acceleration. An air injection system injected fresh air into the exhaust port, to meet the emission norms. Overall, it was the best bike of the time, the only drawback being the fuel efficiency part of the bike. This bike was becoming a huge hit amongst the youngsters till 2000 end.
But this was a mere indicator of things yet to come. The engineering division of BAJAJ AUTO, in association with TOKYO R&D launched their revolutionary product PULSAR which came with a 150 cc air cooled, single-cylinder, petrol, spark-ignited four stroke engine which made 13 HP of maximum power. Hero Honda suddenly had a worthy competitor to its monopoly. And this competition was sure to breed innovation.
So from a single choice we were now spoilt by choice. And every bike enthusiast, if looking into this segment, asks the same question "which one of them is the best?". Each one of them has its own pros and cons, but in my opinion these are the top 5 150cc bikes available in the market (in that order). Touring was the most prominent aspect which I have taken into consideration while reviewing these machines.
1. Yamaha R15 2.0 Version
2. Honda CBR 150R
It stands very close to R15 in terms of performance. Honda has done the best and rolled out an amazing product in the market. But there are areas where it lacks in competition to R15. Price, 15000 more and the mid range performance. Otherwise Honda has given it a very sporty look(Sportier than Honda CBR 250R) with keeping both riders and the pillions seating comfort in mind.
3. Yamaha FZ- Series
The Yamaha FZ series changed the face of Indian biking scenario in recent times, the same way pulsar did in 2001. Also known as Baby FZ1, this bike has nothing to complain about except the price as compared to other products in the same segment. Rear disc and a rear wheel mud hugger will do justice to its price in my view. A little short for taller riders. Once again, Thumbs up to Yamaha.
4. Honda CB Unicorn/Dazzler
5. Suzuki GS 150R
Why Not Other Bikes?
Pulsar 150
Discover 150
Hero Bikes
Apache RTR 160
The Verdict
Many of us keep on posting for which bike to buy. I too had the same question few years back. I always wanted to write on the 150cc segment bikes. And there could not be any other forum better than Xbhp. This long descriptive review may further help buyers to go for their own choices. The whole write up is totally my opinion and i wish all the readers will add valuable inputs to it. Please pay some time to read this. Feedbacks and opinions are always welcome.
There were days when Indian roads were full of 100cc motorcycles. Hero Honda CD 100 DELUXE & SS models, Bajaj Boxer etc. were low powered, fuel efficient machines which happily met the needs of an average Indian commuter. The enthusiasts were limited to Royal Enfield, Yezdi or Yamaha RX100 or modified or imported bikes. The revolution in Indian biking scenario was unavoidable. Hero Honda, the then undisputed king of the motorcycle market, launched the CBZ which used the original Honda 156.8 cc engine, in 1999. CBZ was a scaled version of the famous Honda CB series. The over-square engine that met Euro1 (European Emission Standard), was fed by a Keihin slide type carburettor with accelerator pump for better pick-up. In fact it was first Indian two-wheeler to meet this norm. It made use of a larger spring operated nozzle to provide a richer fuel air mixture into the engine for better acceleration. An air injection system injected fresh air into the exhaust port, to meet the emission norms. Overall, it was the best bike of the time, the only drawback being the fuel efficiency part of the bike. This bike was becoming a huge hit amongst the youngsters till 2000 end.
But this was a mere indicator of things yet to come. The engineering division of BAJAJ AUTO, in association with TOKYO R&D launched their revolutionary product PULSAR which came with a 150 cc air cooled, single-cylinder, petrol, spark-ignited four stroke engine which made 13 HP of maximum power. Hero Honda suddenly had a worthy competitor to its monopoly. And this competition was sure to breed innovation.
BAJAJ AUTO LIMITED |
PULSAR 150. DISCOVER 150. |
HERO MOTOCORP LIMITED |
ACHIEVER (Electric Start). HUNK (Front Disk & Rear Disk Models). CBZ XTREME (Electric Start & Rear Disk Models). IMPULSE. |
HONDA MS INDIA LIMITED |
CB UNICORN. CB DAZZLER. CBR 150R (Standard & Deluxe Models). |
SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION |
GS 150R |
YAMAHA MOTORS INDIA PVT LTD |
SZ-X, SZ-R.(SZ) FZ-16, FZ-S.(FZ) FAZER. R15. |
TVS MOTOR COMPANY |
APACHE RTR 160 (Can be included into 150 cc segments). |
So from a single choice we were now spoilt by choice. And every bike enthusiast, if looking into this segment, asks the same question "which one of them is the best?". Each one of them has its own pros and cons, but in my opinion these are the top 5 150cc bikes available in the market (in that order). Touring was the most prominent aspect which I have taken into consideration while reviewing these machines.
1. Yamaha R15 2.0 Version
2. Honda CBR 150R
It stands very close to R15 in terms of performance. Honda has done the best and rolled out an amazing product in the market. But there are areas where it lacks in competition to R15. Price, 15000 more and the mid range performance. Otherwise Honda has given it a very sporty look(Sportier than Honda CBR 250R) with keeping both riders and the pillions seating comfort in mind.
3. Yamaha FZ- Series
4. Honda CB Unicorn/Dazzler
5. Suzuki GS 150R
Why Not Other Bikes?
Pulsar 150
Discover 150
Hero Bikes
Apache RTR 160
The Verdict
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