Yamaha R15 V4 Rival Honda CBR150R’s Patent Filed in India

The launch of Honda’s 150cc faired bike in India imminent?

The patent for the Honda CBR150R was filed in April 2021 in India and journaled in January this year. It is likely that Honda will be launching this 150cc faired bike in the country again, and here’s why we feel so. 

With the growing popularity of small displacement motorcycles and the incredible success of the Yamaha R15 V4, it just makes sense for Honda to jump on this bandwagon. Moreover, the Yamaha R15 range has gone pretty much unchallenged as there are no direct rivals in the 150-odd cc segment. It would make perfect business sense for Honda to utilise this space by launching the new CBR150R here.  

Apart from this, Honda currently does not offer any sub 200cc sporty bike, and if the CBR150R does come back to India’s lineup, the bike will be the most affordable fully-faired motorcycle from the Japanese automaker in the country. With the CBR150R, it will also allow enthusiasts with tighter budgets to jump into the Honda bandwagon.

The CBR150R has already been launched in Indonesia. Click here to read the story and find out all that the bike gets.

On the engine front, the CBR150R is powered by a 149.2cc, liquid cooled DOHC engine, producing 17.1PS of max power and 14.4Nm of peak torque, mated to a six-speed gearbox. The CBR150R produces 1.3PS less than its rival R15 V4, however, it produces 0.2Nm more torque than the R15.

By bringing back the CBR150R, Honda will also be able to restart the CBR150R One Make Championship. This will not only enhance the bike’s brand connect here in India, but will also serve as the perfect environment to hone the skills of budding racing enthusiasts. Honda has already been proactive in the motorsport scene with the Honda India Talent Cup and Hornet 2.0 One Make Race.

We can expect the CBR150R to be launched by the end of this year, presumably during the festive season. It could command a price tag of around Rs 1.70 lakh (ex-showroom). Apart from the R15, the upcoming CBR150R will also rival the KTM RC 125.