The Honda CBR150R and CBR250R will be receiving cosmetic updates at the RevFest tomorrow with no changes likely to the power output.
Having lost majority of its sales in the premium segment, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) is looking to infuse some new life in the CBR150R and the CBR250R motorcycles in its lineup with a cosmetic facelift planned for launch tomorrow. While we were expecting the globally facelifted models to come to India at least this year, the company has chosen to give subtle aesthetic changes to the outgoing models in the country and will be launching the same at the RevFest tomorrow alongside the CBR650F and the new CB Hornet 160R that replaces the CB Trigger in the company’s lineup.
The Honda CBR150R is powered by a 149.4cc liquid-cooled engine producing 18.28 BHP at 10,500 RPM and 12.66 Nm of torque at 8500 RPM, paired to a 6-speed gearbox. Expect to see new colour options, revised graphics and basic changes to the design on the model. The same will apply to the Honda CBR250R that will continue to draw power from a 249.6cc single-cylinder motor, churning out 26.15 BHP at 8500 RPM and 22.9 Nm of torque at 7000 RPM, paired to a 6-speed gearbox. The complete list of changes will be revealed tomorrow.
Internationally, the Honda CBR250R and CBR150R received major facelifts in 2013 and 2014 respectively, but are yet to arrive on Indian shores. We reckon the latest update won’t help in improving the sales, especially since newer and better products are already available at a more competitive price tag. In terms of pricing, expect to see a slight revision on both the models and we hope Honda uses it to make the models slightly more affordable. Nonetheless, the automaker has shown its lack of interest in the performance segment of the Indian market by continuing to offer us outdated products.
Update – It is confirmed that the changes to the CBR150R and CBR250R are nothing but new colours with fresh decals. The bikes retain their mechanicals and this move seems like a ploy to clear stock of these outdated motorcycles.