The 2015 Honda CBR150R gets a redesigned front fascia with the new dual-headlamp design coupled with subtle changes while the 149cc engine has been tweaked.
The Honda CBR150R is an excellent bike with overwhelming riding dynamics and a highly refined engine on offer. However, there are an equal number of reasons as to why the capable bike could never really set the sales chart on fire like competitor Yamaha YZF-R15 in the segment. Nonetheless, Honda has been looking into this issue for quite some time now and launched a facelifted CBR150R overseas last year with updated looks as well as powertrain, and the new model is now headed to India.
As per recent import data, Honda has brought in the new CBR150R sports bike in the country and the launch can be expected soon. Sporting an extensive number of changes, the bike comes with an all-new design theme sticking to the CBR family and sports a dual headlamp cluster at the front replacing the VFR inspired headlight styling and gets smaller tweaks at the sides with the overall look reminiscent of the CBR1000RR Fireblade. Honda has also changed the chassis underneath with the perimeter frame replaced by the new Truss frame. This is a downgrade in underpinnings but will help in reducing the price of the bike.
The suspension set-up is now a pro-link unit instead of a swing-arm mounted system and will help the 2015 Honda CBR150R with improved rider comfort and reduced vibrations. In terms of powertrain, Honda has retained the 149.4cc single-cylinder, four-valve engine with liquid cooling but the motor gets certain tweaks including the new di-cylinder head and muffler along with an updated ECU. The O2 sensor is new as well and helps churn out 17.1 PS of power and 13.1 Nm of torque at 7500 RPM on the new version.
For the Indian version though, Honda could retain the existing power outputs on the 2015 CBR150R which was recently bumped to 18.54 PS at 10,500 RPM and 12.6 Nm of torque at 8500 RPM with power being sent to the rear wheels via the same 6-speed gearbox. In addition, the Japanese auto major has updated the sports bike with new switch gear (engine kill switch still missing); while the fuel efficiency is a claimed to be 35.2 km/l. Honda could really get aggressive with the CBR150R as the bike has a fat chance of making it big, in a market dominated by design. Honda should reduce the price of the bike with the new model.
Source – Zauba.com