Honda surprised us in a very sweet way, when it unveiled the CBR150R at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo. Though we had captured some rumours about Honda planning to develop a 150cc version of the CBR, little did we expect that Honda would come out with the product so soon. With the introduction of the CBR150R, Honda has definitely upped its ante in the 150cc segment and this bike will go in head to head competition with the currently popular Yamaha R15. Yamaha launched the latest version of the R15 last year, called R15 Version 2.0. Here we quickly take a look at how does both thee bikes feature and would the CBR150R really give a tough time to the R15 Version 2.0.
The Yamaha R15 V2.0 is powered by a 149.2cc, single cylinder, liquid cooled, 4 stroke engine that has a maximum power of 17 PS at 8500 RPM and a maximum torque of 15 Nm at 7500 RPM. It is mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox. The CBR150R on the other hand, is powered by a 149.2cc engine that produces 18 BHP of power at 10500 RPM and a torque value of 12.6Nm at 8500 RPM. This engine is mated a 6 speed gearbox too. Looking at the specs, the CBR150R is expected to definitely have a rev-friendly nature as compared to the R15 V2.0 but that will be actually evaluated once we test ride the bike. The tachometer display at the CBR150R also indicates a higher red line limit as compared to the R15 V2.0.
In both the CBR150R and the R15 V2.0, you get all the stopping power you need from the hydraulically operated disc brakes utilized at the front and the back. Both even use mono-shocks at the rear for suspension, though they will be sporting different spring and damping characteristics. The kerb weight of the R15 V2.0 stands at 136kgs while the CBR150R weighs a similar but slightly higher 138kgs. So, in overall both the bikes turn out quite similar when technical specs are talked about. However, what will be interesting to see is how they actually behave on the road. The game in the 150cc segment has just got more interesting!
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January 12, 2012 at 5:02 pm
now there will be a very tough competiton between ri5 n cbr….both are great bikes
January 12, 2012 at 8:53 pm
I mean R15 n Fazer r bread n butter for Yamaha as sub 150cc segments r already dominated by Honda (n P135)… Its imaginable wat a nightmare it would have been for Yamaha to see the launch of this great machine the CBR150R. eventually due to better refinement levels on Hondas n better network, service, brand reliability in India CBR150Rs gonna pass R15 no later. R15 also a good bike but IMHO CBR150R betters it. Colors r mindblowing.
January 13, 2012 at 1:48 am
R15 has 15nm@7500rpm of torque compared to cbr’s 12.6nm@8500rpm
January 13, 2012 at 11:30 am
why torque of cbr 150r is so less…even dazzler got better torque thn cbr150r…
January 13, 2012 at 3:04 pm
K.P, I guess because this is more of a track focused bike.
January 13, 2012 at 1:01 pm
Finally after 4 yrs since its launch…r15 has met its match
both bikes comes frm world leading brands….
i will comment further only after considering hw cbr performs in real road conditions..
still if one goes by spec sheet…i thin cbr will b revv happier den r15 thnx to tht extra 1000rpm n 1bhp power advantage but tht 12.1 nm of torque is disappointing….i remmbr how r15 was critisized for its inadequate 15nm torque….it will b interesting to see hw cbr will carry a 80kg dude with a pilion ….
January 13, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Any day just pick the YAM.
January 13, 2012 at 5:33 pm
yamaha got diasil cylinder, aluminium swingarm, soft rubber tyres,Deltabox frame, twin headlamps, LED tail lights, i dont think CBR 150r has any match for it.But if Honda price it below 1 lakh( which they should as less features = less price) then it will be a game changer.
January 13, 2012 at 9:12 pm
Ninu, if Yam has diasil dont worry Honda has a better one. They too r having aluminium swingarm I suppose. CBR 150R uses twin tube pentagon frame which is no less than deltabox if not greater. Twin headlamp of R15 is just for looks its 35 Watt each and its suggested to use only one otherwise its battery goes low early. The CBR150R has powerful 55W lamps. The back portion of new R15 doesnt suit it and I personally like the kind of backlite small CBRs use. Honda have much more. CBR150R is more trackfocussed with 18.5PS n lesser torque.
And add to it the better refinement, more new and fresh looks feel, Honda reliability, brand reputatn in India, Sales, Lower service Cost, Huge Network will soon take over the 150cc sportsbike crown in not much time even if it is priced more than the R15.
January 14, 2012 at 3:38 am
Abi your comment is biased towards the Honda product. When you keep the Honda and Yamaha head on in terms of look Yammie wins easily. Honda looks aged when compared to the Yamaha. Coming to the engine part only after the test drive we can decide on it. With the new generation looks and sheer racing DNA in it R15 wins easily over the CBR…
January 16, 2012 at 11:16 am
well the practicality issue is really great with cbr 150r vs r15 v2.0.
remember when first r15 came out it was practically great for all types of bikers cbr 150r is going to be awesome motorcycle lets wait and see how motorcyclists respond to it….;)
February 2, 2012 at 11:28 am
yamha r15 v2 is better than cbr150r. bcoz it has daisil cylinder,swingram,deltabox frame which is used in high performance bike, if yamaha give all this in 1.7 lacs then it will be a clear winner.