• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Bike India

Best Bikes in India | No.1 Two Wheeler Magazine

Pulsar NS400Z – CHALA APNI

  • Home
  • News
    • Upcoming Launches
    • Latest News
    • New Bike Launches
  • Reviews
    • First Ride
    • Road Test
    • Comparison
  • Features
  • Our Bikes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • NG Auto
    • AUTO COMPONENTS INDIA
    • CAR INDIA
    • COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
  • Brands
  • AUTHORS

Bike India Team

Honda CBR 150R vs Yamaha YZF-R15 v2.0

June 29, 2012 by Bike India Team 1 Comment

Honda are all set to take on the mighty Yamaha YZF-R15 with their latest offering, the CBR 150R

Photography: Sanjay Raikar

Motorcycling in India witnessed a change in perception when Yamaha launched the YZF-R15 back in mid-2008. This 150-cc offering from Yamaha changed everything that a 150-cc bike meant for the Indian customer. It had all the elements that made bike enthusiasts put it on a high pedestal where no one else dared to challenge it.

After almost four years of being on the top, there is some competition now for this supersport machine. Honda have quietly (I say quietly because I haven’t come across much media hype for this product) fielded their CBR 150R in the market and started selling it bang on against the R15. That naturally gives rise to the big question: which of these two is the better bike? Both are Japanese, both are 150-cc supersport machines, both have names with a legacy and both are priced competitively. Then what is it that sets them apart? What differentiates the two machines? Let us find out.

 


Design And Styling

The YZF-R15, which has been in the market since 2008, got a cosmetic enhancement a few months ago. The upgraded R15, version 2.0 as they call it, is an outright aggressively styled machine. Its sharp edges and straight lines make it a stunning looker. The R15 has enjoyed a lot of love and craze among the youth owing to its fast bike looks derived from the elder sibling, R6.

If that is the story of the Yamaha, the Honda gets its styling cues for the CBR 150R from the CBR 250R, launched last year, and the big VFR1200F. It is a little on the subtle side that would suit a sports tourer more than a supersport rider. The black treatment to the headlight cluster, the stubby exhaust and eye-catching white and orange graphics (our test bike in specific) are the elements that appealed to us the most. The glossy paint on the frame is the only let down, though. It would thus be very difficult to decide which of these two bikes looks better, for each speaks its own design language and each is impressively styled.

So far as the quality of material and fit-and-finish go, the R15 scores over the CBR. The switches and the clip-ons on the Honda have a little less exquisite feel to them. In fact, the switches seem to have come straight from one of Honda’s commuter bikes.

Posture And Ergonomics

The YZF-R15 looks aggressive and feels aggressive too. Its sitting posture is such that it demands a lot of lean-forward style. The seat is tall and the clip-ons and tank are low. Because of this geometry, it feels as if you are sitting too high and away and give a feel of stretched out posture. Besides, the knee recesses along the tank are quite deep, giving the bike a skinny feel.

On the other hand, the CBR 150R offers a more relaxed seating. The handlebar, seat and foot-pegs geometry is perfect for a comfortable ride – whether in the city or on the highway. Also, the wide tank offers a good feel to clamp on with the knees and its tall position gives it a bigger bike feel.


Engine And Features

This is what matters the most when the two bikes under consideration are high-performance machines. Both have four-stroke, four-valve, 150-cc engines, liquid cooling, fuel injection and are mated with six-speed transmissions. However, the R15 uses the SOHC mechanism while the CBR makes use of DOHC. So far as power and torque figures are concerned, the R15 makes 17 PS and 15 Nm while the CBR makes 17.8 PS and 12.66 Nm. It shows that there is a small difference in the power output of the two bikes and there is a considerable difference between the torque figures.

The differences don’t end here. The biggest variation between the two engines comes in the way they produce the power and at what RPM they do so. Whereas the R15 makes maximum power at 8,500 revolutions per minute, the short stroke engine of the CBR does it at 10,500 RPM. In case of the torque too, the R15 puts out the maximum torque at 7,500 RPM while the CBR does so at 8,500 RPM. These differences show up when it comes to outright performance testing. The slightly more powerful CBR 150R accelerates quicker from standstill to 100 km/h in 13.62 seconds while the R15 does the same in 14.13 seconds. Though the outright acceleration varies so much, things look a little different when it comes to in gear roll-on acceleration where the R15 goes much quicker from 30 km/h to 70 km/h in the third, fourth as well as the fifth gear and that too with a good margin over the CBR 150R. This is basically because the Yamaha puts out higher torque at lower RPM than its competitor.

What is worth mentioning about the engine of the CBR 150R, though, is its ultimate refinement. Even at high RPM, the silken smooth engine barely has any high-frequency vibrations.

Chassis, Suspension And Handling

The best part about both the bikes is the chassis and suspension settings. The YZF-R15 was the first Indian made bike to introduce the twin-spar or deltabox frame, as they call it in India. The CBR 150R follows the Yamaha now and brings in a similar frame. Both the bikes have a monoshock suspension at the rear and neither allows pre-load adjustment. However, there is hardly any need for it unless you are taking the bikes out to race professionally at the track.

It is really a very tricky proposition to decide which one handles better. Both are rock-steady in the corners and commit themselves to what is demanded. The only small difference that we found between the two machines was how briskly they turned in while attacking a corner flat-out. The CBR 150R, thanks to its shorter wheelbase, feels a mite sharper here.


Living With The Machines

Being slightly on the sporty side, one would expect neither of these machines to be comfortable for everyday use. Well, that isn’t really the case with the Honda. Because the R15 has an extremely committed stance, it automatically lends itself better to sport riding purpose. It is a great machine to challenge the corners. However, it suffers a little when it comes to everyday riding comfort (for the pillion as well) and while touring. On the other hand, the CBR can serve very well in almost every aspect. It has a comfortable seating for commuting everyday from home to college/work and back, can make for a good machine over the weekend and can be a wonderful machine on the highways.

The Verdict

So which one to buy then? Well, for those who are looking at hardcore weekend rides towards the twisties and don’t care much about their or their pillions’ comfort, the R15 makes for a good machine. It’s engine also offers good rideability in the city. But for those who want an overall package with a good top-end performance, comfortable ride and a comparatively fresh styling, the CBR is the obvious option. However, be prepared for a slightly sluggish performance while riding around town and also be ready to shell out an extra Rs 4,000.

Filed Under: Comparison, Review

Pulsar 200 NS launched in New Delhi

June 29, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

Bikers in the capital now have a reason to celebrate.

Bajaj have officially launched the new Pulsar 200 NS in the NCR region and the motorcycle is now available at Probiking outlets across the region. The motorcycle has been priced at Rs 85,000 (ex-showroom) Delhi, with an on on-road price of Rs 94,300 (approx).

You might remember that the Pulsar 200 NS was first launched in Maharashtra a couple of weeks ago in Pune. The launch represents Bajaj Auto’s strategy of launching the Pulsar 200 NS in a phased manner across the country, with the capital city being the first in northern India. The Pulsar 200 NS will be launched in other parts of the country in the next couple of months.

Read Bike India’s first ride report of the Pulsar 200NS here.

Filed Under: Latest News, News

Benelli opens concept showroom in Vietnam

June 28, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

Benelli, one of the oldest motorcycle manufacturers in the world, have recently launched a state-of-the-art concept showroom in Saigon, the capital city of Vietnam.

The Pesaro (Italy) based company, which is now a part of Chinese automotive group Qianjiang, went bankrupt in the mid-80s after a string of successful sporting victories, but got resuscitated in the mid-90s thanks to entrepreneur Andrea Merloni’s endeavours.

The concept showroom will house famed Benelli bikes like the TNT R, TNT 899 and the 1130 Century Racer edition. Benelli have inaugurated this showroom as part of the companies long term plan to consolidate their presence in emerging markets. Benelli have stated that,”The Vietnamese market is certainly a strategic market in Asia and Benelli Q.J. decided to introduce in Vietnam some products dedicated to the customers of the ASEAN countries”. With the new ‘Benelli concept showroom’ in Saigon, the firm intends to meet the requirements of the Asian customers by introducing and developing new motorcycles and scooters for the emerging markets. Reason enough for us to start making wild guesses about when will this revered marquee makes its way to Indian shores, now that most of its compatriots are here already?

Filed Under: New Bike Launches, News

Shelina Moreda, the Diva on two-wheels

June 27, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

“I wanna be the Danica Patrick of two wheels,” says 27 year old Shelina Moreda, the diva who is taking the AMA world by storm.

Moreda, who started by riding at quite a young age on her parents’ dairy farm, got her first dirt bike at the tender age of 12 and a Kawasaki street bike at age 18. The transition from riding up and down the California coast with her buddies to racing on a track has been fairly seamless, she states.

Moreda is one of only three women in the Pro American Motorcycle Association SuperSport circuit. Her tools of trade in races are a Yamaha R6, a Brammo electric bike and a Harley-Davidson. Her professional career started 3 years ago where she became the first woman to race an electric bike at the international level and in the AMA Vance & Hines XR1200 series. Also, she was the first woman to race at the Indianapolis Speedway. Quite an outstanding CV, we say!

Her source of inspiration is her father Don Jr, who raced cars and dirt bikes and introduced her to motorcycles and racing. Moreda states that her driving force has been the support and encouragement provide by her fans. Model good looks and friendly, easygoing nature have helped her score sponsors like GoPro cameras and Brammo bikes. Her goal is to be a part of the top 10 in SuperSport in the AMA, and she would love to have a shot at the Daytona SportBike class in 2013.

Filed Under: Motorsports, News

Shelina Moreda, the Diva on two-wheels

June 27, 2012 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

“I wanna be the Danica Patrick of two wheels,” says 27 year old Shelina Moreda, the diva who is taking the AMA world by storm.

Moreda, who started by riding at quite a young age on her parents’ dairy farm, got her first dirt bike at the tender age of 12 and a Kawasaki street bike at age 18. The transition from riding up and down the California coast with her buddies to racing on a track has been fairly seamless, she states.

Moreda is one of only three women in the Pro American Motorcycle Association SuperSport circuit. Her tools of trade in races are a Yamaha R6, a Brammo electric bike and a Harley-Davidson. Her professional career started 3 years ago where she became the first woman to race an electric bike at the international level and in the AMA Vance & Hines XR1200 series. Also, she was the first woman to race at the Indianapolis Speedway. Quite an outstanding CV, we say!

Her source of inspiration is her father Don Jr, who raced cars and dirt bikes and introduced her to motorcycles and racing. Moreda states that her driving force has been the support and encouragement provide by her fans. Model good looks and friendly, easygoing nature have helped her score sponsors like GoPro cameras and Brammo bikes. Her goal is to be a part of the top 10 in SuperSport in the AMA, and she would love to have a shot at the Daytona SportBike class in 2013.

Filed Under: Motorsports, News

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 98
  • Page 99
  • Page 100
  • Page 101
  • Page 102
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 203
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

LATEST ISSUE

Pulsar NS400Z – CHALA APNI

19TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

Bike India - India's no. 1 two-wheeler magazine

Triumph Street Triple 765 R and RS Review | The Best Street Triple Yet

Ducati Diavel V4 Review | Devil of the Mountain

Royal Enfield Hunter 350 first ride | Aspi Bhathena

SPECIAL Featured Story

Yamaha FZ-S Fi Hybrid

Yamaha FZ-S Fi Hybrid Launched

The Yamaha FZ-S Fi Hybrid has been launched at Rs 1.45 lakh (ex-showroom). Yamaha claim that this is India’s first sub-150-cc hybrid motorcycle. 

More about this.

Recent Posts

  • JULY 2025
  • Ducati SuperSport 950 S Review – Hidden Gem
  • Indian Chieftain PowerPlus Limited First Ride Review
  • Matter Aera 5000+ Review – Does it Matter?

Car India

Car India Magazine - Get your Digital Subscription

Footer

Latest News

CRA Motorsports Launch Student Moto Tech Challenge 2026

ABS as standard and Two Helmets Mandatory for Two-wheelers from January 2026

Ultraviolette Expand To Europe

Reise Helden ECE-certified Helmet Launched at Rs 3,499

Pulsar NS400Z – CHALA APNI

Pulsar NS400Z – CHALA APNI

Bike India: India’s no. 1 two-wheeler magazine

BIKE India covers the two-wheeler industry in its entirety, both from the local and the international perspective. Also delivers the most definitive verdict on machinery and performance by explaining the hows, whys, and whats on every new bike in a lucid and user-friendly manner. BIKE India is the India’s most authoritative two-wheeler publication, a magazine for people with a passion for bikes and everything to do with their history and heritage.
SiteMap

Copyright © 2025 · BIKE INDIA INDIA’S NO. 1 TWO WHEELER MAGAZINE, BY FAR! ·