New Honda CBR150R launched; rivals Yamaha R15 V3

- Honda CBR150R updated for 2021

- Gets new styling and features

- Unlikely to be launched in India anytime soon

Honda has launched the new CBR150R in Indonesia showering it with major updates for 2021. It is priced at an equivalent of Rs 2.10 lakh in the country.   

To begin with, the motorcycle gets new styling that it picks up from the CBR250RR. So now the front end comes with all-LED headlamp, while the fairing and upswept tail section are sharper as well giving the new CBR150R an aggressive persona. 

Besides the cosmetic enhancement, Honda has also equipped the 2021 model with new gold-finished upside down forks sourced from Showa. While the Honda Hornet 2.0 sold in India also gets similar looking forks, the unit on the CBR150R are Showa’s premium SFF-BP seperate function big-piston forks also found on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R.  

Honda has kept the 17.3bhp and 14.4Nm producing 149cc, engine untouched. It also gets the same six-speed gearbox. However, the motor now gets a slipper clutch which Honda claims also reduces lever action by 15 per cent. That’s not all, the 2021 Honda CBR150R also comes with a new LCD instrument cluster and is offered with ABS as an option.   

With the update, the new Honda CBR150R brings the fight to the Yamaha R15 V3. And while it is a tempting proposition, Honda is unlikely to launch the motorcycle in India anytime soon.