I took a test-ride of the CBR150R at Saphire Honda in Bangalore yesterday. They have a green-black on display and a orange-white for test rides. Bike is comfortable to sit on, and pulls well even with the showroom exec sitting pillion. The bike had barely 100km on ODO, so the engine felt quite tight.

First impressions:
Super smooth engine
Brakes are fantastic
Exhaust note is addictive (bassy and growly)
Gears kept getting stuck on the test ride bike (explained below)
Pillion seat is comfy as well

Revved the bike a lil at standstill, and the revs rise real quick! On the move, the bike felt zippy in the first 3 gears, but the combination of my heavy weight, pillion load, Bangalore traffic () and a barely run engine ensured that I couldn't get anywhere close to even 8,000rpm in the next few gears. Suspension is great and soaks up bumps that would rattle your bones on an R15. I made the showroom exec ride for a bit since I wanted to check pillion comfort. The guy was SOOO rough on the gears that I now knew why the test-ride bike gearshifts were so screwed up! I'm sure the bike will be BRILLIANT once properly run-in!

My RaceConcepts R16 felt MUCH more powerful when I left the showroom, but I really loved the feel of the lil Honda. I'm looking to change my bike solely for better comfort, and right now I'm considering getting the 150R rather than the 250R. Why? Coz I'm quite happy with the power these 150cc rockets provide, and you get the added benefit of extended tank range due to the better fuel-efficiency.

Negatives according to me:

• Switchgear - Although the switchgear works well, it is a little disappointing to find stuff from bikes a category or two below (read Stunner/Shine)
• Lack of an Engine Kill switch and a Headlight Flasher
• The speedo console looks like a shrunken-down version of the one on the 250R and looks decidedly lower quality.

I took a loooong solo test-ride at another showroom today and was completely blown away! Ultra smooth engine and transmission, comfy riding position, super-flickable handling.. What more can we ask for? Well, I'm the first R15 owner to book the CBR150R!! Can't wait to get my new baby..

Conclusion:
Honda has given us Indians an awesome alternative to the Yamaha R15. The R15 is a little too focused for regular commuting, and this is where the lil CBR makes sense. In every-day conditions the softer suspension, comfier riding position and better visibility courtesy the 55W headlight makes the riding experience that much better.

At last cbr has landed on chennai roads. Got my bike yesterday.

One pic.. Ownership thread is closed for some unknown reason

The reason is not unknown. It is mentioned in my last post on the ownership thread.

Friendly Suggestion: When / If you have anything substantial to report which will actually enrich the ownership thread, please report the last post of the thread and mention this fact in the reason. Mods will be glad to reopen the thread immediately.

Fun Fact: KTM Duke 200 Ownership Thread needed just 10 days to reach Page # 61. The Ownership Thread of the identically priced HONDA CBR150R took 23 days to reach the same landmark.

For the uninitiated, the following is the post I am referring to in the 1st line:

Read this : Honda CBR150R first impressions - Overdrive

My baby cbr

awesome pics man.. black n green looks superb

Awesome pics bro

Thanks bro. Superb bike.

Let me know where you buying IND number plate i have completed 81km so far, without registration

Great ... I completed 130km. I asked about it in adyar they said not to buy now because thats not original and within 6 mnth we have to buy from RTO. Where will I get the bike cover.????

my baby cbr

First i thought 250cc bike will be suitable.. but, its better to stitch it separately for it, they have no idea when bike cover will reach showroom ..

About IND number plate,the below link will help..

Automotive High Security Registration Plates manufacturers India

For time being we can use the 250r cover. How much it is????

I completed 100KMS on my bike today.. that too without registration :P

One interesting observation, my bike has become much smoother than what it was when i rode it for the first time..

I revved it a bit today, took it upto 7k rpm then shifted to 6th gear and the rpm came down to 6k and speedo showed 71kmph...

I was standing at a traffic signal and then just zipped ahead of the traffic..

i just loved the acceleration of the bike