Are you guyz alive???

Yeah, of course...

Got my CBR a week before.I will post a review soon.Here are a few snaps....

Hi everyone......i was out of station for a few days so cudn't post..........Has anyone gone in for the genuine Honda Accessories........if yes please post the pics and the cost of the parts........i am looking forward to it as it's still not available with my dealer.

nice pic...

Sorry bro, nothing with my dealer!

Thanks.

And, one more pic from my bro's weekend visit to home.
That's my younger brother and my jade!!

Nice Matching Matching bike and house of yours

Thanks buddy!

An ex-RTR owner's thoughts on getting CBR

Got my CBR150R in black-white color today evening and I've a grin like this now

I ride an RTR160 in Bangalore. Dad had casually asked me how I rate R15 v2, CBR150R and 200NS, and I said CBR > 200NS > R15 (I'll get to the reason later). Little did I know he'd come riding a CBR150R on the day I came home for a week long holiday! The color was selected by dad too, and boy, it looks gorgeous! In person, I'd say black-white looks better than even the red-white that I'd seen earlier (just subjective).

As soon as I saw the baby CBR, I ran to take a few pics (including the one above) and uploaded to FB etc. Some other delays meant I didn't go out on a ride until 10 mins later. Those 15 mins were the most frustrating 15 mins in recent past.

Started up the bike, and the exhaust note was the first thing I noticed. Rode out slowly to a nearby HP outlet for a tankful of petrol, and in my eagerness to ride out, I forgot to pay for the petrol and started up the bike. The attendant looked worried and grabbed my hand. Quite embarassing , but I saved myself by saying I started up the bike to move a bit ahead so others can come in for fuelling.

Now, CBR is still a new bike in my areas, unlike the super-familiar R15. Curious onlookers abound when I rode out, and they could also see my wide grin through my full face helmet, I guess. I didn't stop anywhere, lest they ask the price and mileage (as usual!).

Tip of the hat to xBHP as well - you guys have been instrumental in making me safety-aware. I've worn the helmet whenever I rode the CBR (esp considering its power). Last year, when I got a new RTR, I wore helmet only within known police checks, and had done an entire 250km round trip night out around Bangalore without a helmet. Stupid, I know, and touchwood, I had no accidents. Looking back, it was rank stupidity. Today, I ride with a helmet minimum (as I did today), and usually gloves, a jacket and shoes.

The helmet, along with a faired bike, sure did help turn eyeballs my way today - I'd be lying if I said I didn't love the attention.

Noticeable improvements over RTR (or any commuter bike, really):

1. The overall weight distribution and fat rear tyres give great confidence while cornering. I've still not learnt to lean fully, and I don't think I'll do it until I get a feel of the bike. Can't fall, what with the beautiful (and expensive) fairing and all! Have to test wet riding, and am sure the grip would be better than commuters with narrow tyres.
2. The headlamps are powerful at a rated 55W, and they're sure to be handy when touring. Reason #2 over R15.
3. Large, firm seats: reason #1 over R15. I'll be touring a lot from now. Also, R15 pillion seat is tiny and way too high up. Not sure the gal would appreciate climbing up a skyscraper to be seated!
4. RVMs are really usable, unlike RTR where I'd miss part of the rear because of my shoulder.

Other reasons for picking CBR over R15: R15 is way too common now (I like mine to be rare if possible), and I need a sporty tourer more than a track machine. I did see someone say it is weird for Honda to put in a rev-happy engine in a sports tourer, but for me, it is perfect - ripping on vast highways is always fun

The gear shifts, while being a huge improvement over the notchy RTRs, is not really smooth. Expect it will get better after run-in. I had read somewhere that pulling the clutch, revving a bit (~3k RPM) then shifting helps - tested it out and it actually works. Reading through CBR thread now, I see it is called rev matching, and has entire pages dedicated to the technique.

While riding friend's R15, I thought its engine was rev happy, which wasn't an issue since I ride a rev happy RTR. CBR is even more rev happy, and unless I keep an eye on the tachometer, it'd climb past 5k with ease. I find it hard to stay under 4.5k RPMs, though I intend to keep it under for at least 2-300 kms. Low end torque is poor, but as with R15, what riders need to understand is that these engines are durable and built to rev high and as such, need to be kept at least at 4-5k RPMs.

Read that the mileage is really good (for a 17hp motor), if ridden sanely. I'll do a mileage test for the next few weeks and report.

One minor niggle: the handle lock isn't working, and I'm taking it to the Honda dealer tomorrow to get it fixed. Shocking that such an important part of the bike is broken and they didn't catch it in their pre-sale checks.

I read a lot of complaints about how lack of kill switch and pass light switch on a 1.3 lac bike. I wasn't bothered by that even before buying - if these are the complaints people can come up with, then you already know Honda has done a great job on the bike overall, especially so in crucial factors like comfort, engine, handling, spares and maintenance etc.

A jugaad for the pass light issue - when headlamp is off, keep the beam selector high so you can flash by just switching on the lamp, and when it is on, switching to high beam works. As for kill switch, just use the ignition key - not a perfect solution, but perfectly workable.

That's it for now, I'll be back with occasional updates and questions as they come up.

Update after ~24 hours:

Have done 3 rides, each progressively longer, and hit 100 kms some time during the 3rd ride. Like I wrote above, I'll update this review frequently with my thoughts, as I find such long term reports really useful when trying to pick a new vehicle.

Had to ride through city once, and the low torque, along with traffic congestion, relatively poor roads and heat pissed me off big time. If you have to ride daily in such conditions, be prepared to get frustrated. Having said that, as soon as you hit an empty stretch and ride at 40+ kmph, all such thoughts simply go away. Can't wait to finish run in and hit the highways and compare how CBR compares to R15, 200NS etc. And before you flame me, I'll love the CBR for its +ves no matter how it performs - yeah, I'm a fanboi now, totally

Gear shifts are already smoother. I reckon that it'll be buttery after 500+ kms and 1st service.

Haven't done a tank-fill method to determine FE, but after filling up for Rs 150 (plus whatever came from the showroom), I've rode 100 kms and the fuel indicator still shows 2 bars. The closed loop FI system coupled with my relatively sedate riding(<5.5k RPM) seems to give good mileage so far. A rough and terribly unscientific calculation shows that it yields at least 40 kmpl. For such a rev happy motor to be efficient at low RPM shows great versatility.

Reading through owners' manual, I noticed there is no fixed RPM or speed limit recommended by Honda during run in. All it says is to not accelerate harsh or ride at extremely low RPM. This is because the engine is modern and made to high precision (less parts mating issues). Makes it a lot less frustrating to ride now that I don't have to look at RPM/speed all the time, and instead only concentrate on not twisting the throttle much. I've gone upto only 65 kmph and 6k RPM (usually upto 5k RPM) so far, just to be safe.

Mileage drop!!!

Before 1st service i was getting around 38-40 kmpl but since i gt my first service done i am getting somewhere around 28-30 kmpl. Can't see a clear reason, why? Guyzz any clues?

Hi All, did a solo ride yesterday 19.09.2012 to Pondicherry from Tambaram (Chennai) in my CBR 150R. It was exciting and learnt new things (physics) of riding. I rode all alone on ECR till Pondicherry and returned back. Couldn't spend time to take snaps as i was late to reach there. Yes, it took lot of time and promises to get APPROVAL from my family (Wondering how ppl have done SS as simple as that). Started from home at 3.30 pm. Moved slowly till Perumbakkam and once i reached ECR, revved fast. I thought ECR would be nice though aware of insane 4 wheelers, and beleived there will be many fuel stations that will accept card...but in reality only one accepted and nowhere you can find ATM once you pass Mahabalipuram. MY CBR did a fabulous job. Just a act of balance saved me from a speeding red Santro Xing in the opposite direction overtaking the other. They were 3 cars coming parallel from the opposite direction and i am in 80s. This happened before Mutukadu. After Mahabalipuram somewhere a calf came in front of me all of a sudden...what to expect...i tried brakes hard , with my rear tire skided ( not let me down) and just missed hitting the calf. Punched myself for not watching the calf. One more instance happened with a mad man crossing the road on a turn. He is really mad. I had 150 bugs only in my purse and after being let down by few fuel station got worried and afraid. Only three bars showing (most of it used up) and i am not even half way to Pondicherry. Finaly filled the tank in HP station. Till here it was full of drama followed by smooth ride till Pondicherry. Just clicked that Pondicherry arch on the highway and Pondicherry University. My camera showed no internal memory, delete some images ??? I forgot memory card. Even otherwise i would not have spent much time in clicks and i reached there only at 5.45 pm and it almost dark because of just finished rain. Bought some snacks / fancy articles and headed back to Tambaram at 6.20 pm. I was scary as though i am in some alein territory. Eagerly looked for TN vehicles who are on there way to Chennai just for a company. All i could see were PY number plates only. Rode some 20 kms away from Pondi..it was pitch dark. THUT...a bat banged on my face just below my left eye through the helmet. Later some time i found a sumo passing me...luckily TN number plate. I just followed at the same speed ( 80 to 95). It is safe to ride behind 4 wheeler at considerable distance in dark as you can avoid unexpected intervension. Inside Sumo there were some guys staring at my Bike as it glides effortless. That was like boost to me...and i rode tirelessly following the Sumo till some place before Covelong where it stopped for break. Finally i reached home at 8.45 pm. Total distance travelled 280 kms (virtually non stop) ..did not realy pinch hard. Lost the balancer in my Left handle bar on the way to Pondi. I didnt see it got loosened and fell off on road.
Thats all for now.
PS: I am not posting this here for show off...i am aware this is just childs play for Touring GURUS here.

nice what was the total kms travelled in all?
What was the highest speed?
What average did you get??
How was the handling on 4lane or 2lanes??
How was the riding comfort compare to continous riding??
How was the engine performance?? any abnormal heating or any issues with high rpms or speed??

Why that tyre skid?? really you din't see the calf by some 50mtrs or 20mtrs?? what??

These all questions answer would help us to know the ride and performance more?? which will in deed help to know the bike and ride!!

Nice. No tour is too little or too much, 280 kms non-stop is more than so many of us have done FYI. Do let us know the finer details of touring on it, esp. rider comfort (seat, posture, wind resistance at high speeds etc). Assuming that your run-in and 1st service is over?

I've liked the seat (just perfect balance of soft-hard, and the shape) and posture a lot, but have wrist pain after a few dozen kms riding (surprising because I had an RTR160 before, and its posture is perhaps even more aggressive than CBR). Still early days, so I feel the pain will subside.

thanks for your comments

I used to get numb after even a short ride of 20kms during initial period. No worry now. But i feel like my right foot peg posture is different from my left foot peg..i should seriously look in to this in my 2nd service. Obviuosly i get little pain in my right leg after long ride. This all happened after that damn accident, stupid driver ruined my peace of mind.