Can't disagree with the testimony of an owner who owned both (R15 & CBR250R) and loved the R15 more..

In an ideal world (& marketing speak).. yes

Real life market dynamics are actually quite funny

As the performance bike segment in India is
taken to a higher level with R15 version 2.0
setting benchmarks, Honda is fast catching up.
Honda is known in India for offering the most
reliable and efficient motorcycles and scooters.
Now, Honda is bringing in another jap machine from their stable – CBR150R. The launch is
scheduled for March 2012 and as reported by
us, the bike was showcased at the 2012 Indian
Auto Expo. The CBR 250 is still turning heads
on Indian roads and its performance is giving
owners the value for their money. The guys who couldn’t afford it can now live a part of
their dream by owning this new baby CBR
which is on the design aspect; quite similar to
the 250. This pocket rocket has already given
Southern Asia a taste of what this entry level
sports tourer has to offer.
It brings in a single cylinder, fuel injected
engine DOHC four valve 150cc four stroke
engine that is a detuned version of the
CBR250R. With a peak power of 18 PS and a
peak torque of 13 Nm you can expect it to be
quicker around the corners and track. Comparing the power figures with the R15 which turns out 17 Bhp-15 Nm and the CBR150 being a tad bit powerful and just 2 kilograms heavier, the competition should be epic. These two mini gladiators will try to survive in the Indian market version of the Roman arena.
The Honda chaps have added a few secret weapons though. The CBR 150 like the 250, has a better riding position compared to the extreme one on the R15.
This works for the Indian buyers who will
use the bike for their daily commutes and the
bike will be more comfortable on highways as
well. And for those of you who have had your girlfriends complain about the rear seat of the
R15, the CBR offers a more comfortable seating
for your pillion. The styling being a little more
subtle compared to the in your face aggressive
one of the R15 might work for Honda as well.
Most importantly, it’s expected price should be around 1.2 lakhs which puts a cherry on the
pie.

Source:Motorbeam

Yes low torque(is it 13 Nm?) may be a problem in Cbr 150 & may result in poor low end performance Does it has FI in it??

Exactly, that is what I love in the R15. So once you sit on the bike, it makes the rider feel a part of the bike, it is perfect.


Never knew that.

Same goes for the 220 No?
But you still love it regardless of it not having anything to cherish about?
But when you load up the bikes over long distances, the difference is pretty much evident as to why the bikes arent comparable. One leaves you tired and the other doesnt even sweat.
Its just like how the N650R and the ZX6R arent meant for the same purpose.

Also when the fairings come off of any sportsbike, they will always resemble an everyday bike, unless ofcourse they are track bred bikes with specially designed frame.

On another note, the 150R and the R15 weigh almost the same yes?
150R-134
R15 - 131 (for the v1)
How much does the V2 weigh with the additional weight?
Or were they able to maintain the weight with the aluminium swing arm?
So technically they should have equal power to weight ratios?


yes its called CBR 150R FI
why do you think theyre pricing it above 1 lakh?

I think the thai 150Rs are short geared
Maybe that explains the Low F.E theyre getting - Again its just speculations, didnt do any concrete research on it


OTR price
R15 - 1.28
250R - 1.70

I clearly dont see how 40k difference for 100cc and 8 bhp is "overpriced"

The R15's got Character.. its a focussed motorcycle and makes no excuses about it. If somebody wants to commute or tour "comfortably" on it, then its his choice.

The CBR250R definitely is not a Super Sports wannabe but Honda is definitely positioning the CBR150R as a Super Sports.. just search its video on YouTube which features Casey Stoner on the CBR150R. It will be interesting to ride one as the benchmark set by the R15 is pretty high.

Have seen a few videos on the net showing CBR 150R reaching speeds excess of 160kmph, is it possible for a CBR 150R (Stock) to reach that kind of true speeds?
What about R15, i guess it has a top speed of 130-135(true)...

Slightly OT:Whats the top speed of CBR 250R, i searched on the net and different websites quote differently from 150-180kmph :O

@Nitesh, R15 V2 has gained 5 kilos of weight, so its heavier by 1 kilo,(negligible?) the power/weight must be pretty close...

People claim 30+ mileage for R15 when ripped, there is a website which claims 35kmpl (can motoroids web site be trusted or is it just another speculative web site?) mileage when CBR150R is GOING AT 90KMPH

I'm eagerly waiting to see the quality of CBR 150 R.

very odd. i cant view the last page. The page is stuck at 95 and nomatter how much i try to hit 96/last page it loads page 95.

Well, your comments are posted on page 96

well thats cause im using "Add reply" to see the previous posts. i cant normally select page 96 even now.

This is not necessary. This is the max torque at a particular rpm, around 8000 I believe.
It says nothing about the entire powerband and its possible that it might have a stronger low end than R15. Thanks to the game of tuning.

In fact, someone from Bike India's staff confirmed 2 or so years ago that the CBR 150's power delivery is linear and hence, low end is better than R15. The same magazine also told us that R15 is still the better handler around corners.

And for a 150cc, 13 NM is the segment standard as far as Air Cooled 2 valve carb-fed engines go... Its not that low.
And Yes, the V2 weighs around 136 kgs wet (+5 kgs over V1).

Hello !! Here is some of my personal opinion

Guys , i was a great Fan of HONDA !! But when they launched CBR250 r last year May 2011 , I was Frustrated !! First one : Looks , Second one : Build Quality !! Till today date , I'm reading So many Cons from the Great CBR 250 r Owners !! Among 25 % , only 3 - 5 % CBR Owners are Satisfied with their Bike !! You guys will say CBR 250 r rocks and no other bike can stand next to the CBR 250 r , BUT THE TRUTH IS YOUR HEART WILL BE BURNING LIKE FIRE AND IT WILL BE CHANTING THAT F**K WE WASTED OUR HARD EARNED MONEY !! Since it is a 250 cc engine , other bikes can't stand next to it , But except NINJA 250 R !! My personal opinion is we are not racer to ride a 250 cc engine on indian roads , But it may be your passion towards the bikes , that makes you to love and make you buy and N'joy the ride in a 250 cc machine !! For power your wasting your hard earned money , Um leave it !! But in Looks , Build quality , Engine , Mileage R15 v 1.0 or R15 V 2.0 is the BEST IN ITS CLASS !! My question is if the same problem persist in CBR 150 R means , What you guys will do ?? No can judge about its performance !! We should wait till the run in period !! For example , If the bike gets launched at Mid June , we should wait ' 3 - 5 ' months to judge about its performance [ PROS / CONS ] !! But CBR 150 R is a rival for R15 V 2.0 because of the great mistake done by YAMAHA is the " Split seat with No Gab rails " which will be difficult for dad , mom , aunties or even our " FRIENDS " [ Boys/Girls ] feels difficult to climb and get seated even in " 2 " ways and the height makes them scary !! I guarantee no one can be seated in the side ways !! Only for this reason , they are launching the CBR 150 R !! other wise R15 v 2.0 is the best in its class !! This is my personal opinion !! I'm not trying to hurt any of the CBR 250 r owners !! I'm just cautioning the New Bikers who are blindly saying i'm going for CBR 150 r !! Thank you !! " PEACE "

Last but not the Least - I will be getting my New V2.0 Friend On April 13 th . As my mom was comfortable when i took her a ride for 80kms on my Friend's Bike .. I took her to all kinds of road condition !! She din't have much complaints , except the seat height !!

Current Bike - R15 V 1.0 !!


" Ride safe "

Regards -

Arrive Alone

Replies in bold

nowadays, instead of posting, reading other's post gives more fun, no offenses to anyone.

although i don't wanna get involved in this CBR250 vs R15 fight in a CBR150 thread, still wanna say something-

if you want a powerful bike, with touring capabilities, low and mid range torque and comfort of plush suspension, go for a CBR250 (in under 2 lacs)

if you want a bike with typical "built for track" character, great handling and cornering abilities and a bike most happy in exploiting the higher range of RPM's, go for an R15 (in under 2 lacs)

if you want the best of both, power of a 250 CC, handling of an R15, power and torque available at almost all RPM's, screaming performance, then stretch your budget to a bit above 3 lacs and get a Ninja250 but compromising on looks, color options, digital instrument panel and absence of ABS.

huh, sadly there is no perfect 250 CC bike (atleast in india)

Looks are subjective and a matter of every individual's perspective. Personally i hate the headlight design of the 250R and miss the bug/twin eyed design.

They could have designed in such a way which would be attractive !!

Please post a few links about "Till today date, I'm reading so many cons" part. I would like to go through them.

You can just search for Honda CBR 250 r ownership thread in this Website itself !!

that do you mean Among 25%? Arent you supposed to calculate with respect to 100%? And where are you pulling these figures from?
I suggest you visit the C250R thread on a regular basis and count the number of owners who "Had" problems and still "Have" those problems.

These are among Chennai CBR Owner's !! Correct me if im wrong ,

Funny. This coming from a guy who does not own a C250R
And i dont think anyone in the C250R thread has ever said "no other bike can stand next to it"
Also avoid using CAPS throughout a sentence cos it makes you sound like you are either Frustrated or venting Anger at us readers or Both.

Oh , Really ?? If it sounds like that means IDC -_- !!

The C250R is for the tourers in us who like to have a bit of a power on the long highway straights yet carry all the equipments and luggage along, not the wannabe Racers who showoff in college and end up drag racing on the highways just to show off!

I agree !! And i already know !!

IF Build quality, Engine, Mileage is ur priority why didnt you opt for a Splendor? IT excels in everything you mentioned.

I already owned a splendor before getting my R15 V 1.0 so i don't need to opt for it !!

Again looks is fairly individual preference. Also nobody buys a sports bike based on mileage. Mileage is best left for everyday commuters.

I already mentioned that , its my personal opinion !!

Did you know that when the R15 v1.0 was launched, it too faced issues in the first lot bikes? Yet once it was sorted everybody went and bought them including you?

R15 v1.0 was launched on 2008 !! It might have faced issues !! But my bike is 1 year old have not faced a minute issue till today date !! I have covered 11 k Kilometers till today !!


Actually the bike is already running good in Thailand. It is only a notch lower than the 250R and i believe it is being advertised as a complete sports bike and not a sports tourer like the 250R.

Well , my personal opinion .. They will manufacture the bikes according to each country !!
But i have to be honest i have seen only " 3 " CBR 250 r in chennai !! I used to travel throughout the G.S.T road , anna nagar and adayar !! Lodha honda in chennai , they have excess in stock !! They are waiting for the people to book the bike [ ready cash / finance ] and they say they will deliver the bike within " 2 " weeks !!


Just so you know, the R15 is in a class of its own till the 150R gets here. The R15 actually had no competition in the 150cc sports category since 2008. So there was no such thing as "best in class" when the class consisted of only one student i.e., the R15

Well , i din't get you !! Then how can say CBR 250 r is " Best In Its class " ?


Good luck with the 2.0 and if you don't mind, how old are you?

Thank you .. Gonna be 19 .

By the way , I don't want to provoke war between CBR and R15 !! It's all my personal opinion ~~