Honda RS150R - Key features explained

If you follow your sport underbones, you would know that there is already a new version of the Honda RS150R. It is being sold in the Philippines for some time now and yet, we Malaysians are stuck with the old version. Probably because the current version was launched only in 2016. Yet the presence of the Honda RS150R spices up the performance underbone segment in the country. It still serves as an alternative to the Yamaha Y15ZR and the Suzuki Belang 150R. It is still a very capable bike that can hold its own against the completion.

Here are the most remarkable features of this Honda -

Aggressive styling

While not replacing the model entirely, Honda has tried to keep the market appeased with cosmetic facelifts, the last of which happened in 2017. This brought a whole slew of new color options and liveries that make the bike look sportier than it already is. The rear section that hangs in the air like a superbike. The wraparound front fairing with all the vents and the beefy upswept silencer all lend to its sporty credentials. The RS150R has a unique scooter like front fairing that houses the huge indicators. The headlight resides in the handlebar assembly and itself is another unique design feature. It is twin stack design that uses LEDs to provide bright illumination for long distances. Best of all though is the large variety of sporty color options available for the bike. There are four color options to choose from Candy Scintillate Red, Pearl Nightfall Blue, Pearl Metallic White (Trico) and Repsol Honda. The last two of these come with a slight price increase. But the Repsol edition also comes with orange wheels.

The sportiness is not limited to the styling either. The instrumentation is also race inspired. It includes a gigantic analogue tachometer along with an equally sized interactive digital display that displays the gear indicator, trip meter, speedometer, odometer, fuel gauge and clock. It is illuminated with an orange glow and is very easy to read in all conditions. There are practical features too, like the underseat storage area that can hold a rain cover and documentation.

Refined engine

This new engine is Euro 3 compliant. It is a 149.7 cc engine with four valves per cylinder. Additionally, it is also fuel injected, water cooled and uses dual overhead cams. Peak power output is rated at 15.6 hp at 9000 rpm. Peak torque of 13.5 Nm is delivered at 6500 rpm. It even comes with a 6-speed transmission, that lets you use the engine power more optimally. The sixth gear acts as an overdrive. There is enough power in the engine for all types of riding conditions. It can easily propel the bike to a top speed of 122 kmph.

Power delivery is snatchy off the mark and linear afterwards. Being a Honda it is also very reliable. In fact only last year, a couple were able to take their bike on a 6 month long around the world trip across 25 countries. Honda makes some of the most refined engines and the one in the RS150R is no exception. There is no vibration felt on the handlebars from the engine and the noise is also manageable.

Pleasing ergonomics

If you thought the supercub segment was meant to be raced around dangerously on highways, then the Honda RS150R would like to have a word with you. Unlike the race focused Yamaha Y15ZR and the Suzuki Belang 150R, the Honda caters to a mature sort of riding. The seat is 764 mm above the ground and the wheelbase is 1276 mm. Unlike the other two – especially the Suzuki and the new version of the Honda RS150R – the handlebars are high and wide. This means that the seating position in the bike is very relaxed. The rider sits almost upright in a relaxed manner. Wide handlebars also work very well for slow speed manoeuvring.

Honda RS150R spices up the performance underbone segment in the country. It still serves as an alternative to the Yamaha Y15ZR and the Suzuki Belang 150RThe 17-inch alloys on both ends wearing 90/80-17 46P tyres on the front and 120/70 58P tyres on the rear mean that there is enough grip when the rider does want to do some high-speed cornering. The telescopic front forks and the Kayaba rear shock also do a good job of keeping out road imperfections. The brakes are also adequate with a 296 mm disc on the front and a 190 mm one on the rear wheel.

The Honda RS150R then is a very competitive bike in the segment. For everyday commuting that emphasizes comfort as well as refinement without compromising on styling and performance, it is a very good choice. It is a versatile machine that will keep up with its rider’s sportiness. Till the new version makes it here, this bike should be just fine.