Entry-level performance motorcycles are gaining popularity in Bangladesh. When Yamaha launched the R15 way back in 2008, it created a revolution of sorts.

Three years later, the upgraded Version 2.0 of the Yamaha R15 was launched and Honda took notice. The Japanese automaker surprised everyone at the 2012 Auto Expo by unveiling the new Honda Cbr 150r. Today we going to give a comparison between Yamaha R15 V2 VS Honda CBR 150R.

Click Here For Honda CBR150R 2016 Video Review

Both these machines are very similar yet different. While the Yamaha R15 V.2 latest price is 4.85 lakh taka, the Honda CBR150R is though unavailable at the moment at our coasts should amount around 5 to 5.5 lakhs (All prices including all taxes).

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Yet its difficult to choose either one of them. As we did not have the CBR150r at our hands we asked the fans of BikeBD and a fellow mutual bike lover who is currently in India, A certain Some one named MR Shafiul Entaz, a current student in Bishwa Bharati to help us by self testing the bikes and then relating his own experiences to us on this side of the border.

Also Read: Top Honda Bike In Bangladesh

After that we get a legal Honda CBR 150 in Bangladesh (Source). A owner who legally import with the import cost of around 5,50,000 BDT. We contact with the owner & give a test ride.

Because without any real experience we (Team BikeBD) Don't write a review. This review also written after ride the both bike & Based on the owners feelings about  Yamaha R15 V.2 VS Honda CBR 150.

Also Read:  Best 150cc Off Road Bikes In Bangladesh

Styling

The new Yamaha YZF-R15 V2.0 is an absolute cracker when it comes to design, with the R6 inspired tail section and the new shelves in the front fairing, making it look fresh and energetic. While the Honda CBR 150R looks conservative and the design is inspired by its elder sibling of the family.

Every part is smaller than that of its elder sibling. The headlight, stubby exhaust, the smaller tail light and tyres makes it definitely look like a smaller CBR, which makes the bike a head turner too. With its distinct graphics and colors options, it stands out in the crowd. But the beauty pageant award goes to the Yamaha R15.

Instrument Cluster and Switch Gear

Both bikes have an analog tachometer and a digital speedometer but here again the Yamaha R15 V.2 scores with its high quality switch gear and host of features it has to display on its instrument cluster.

The switch gear in the CBR150R is massive disappointment because its a straight lift from small capacity bikes of the Honda stable and lacks the engine kill switch. The pass light switch looks decades old too.

The Honda CBR150R makes do with a temperature gauge and digital clock to display apart from the regular trip-meter and fuel meter. But the CBR150Rs digital console shines with an all around piano black finish and in the night the RPM needle glows very brightly. This grabs the attention of the commuters around you.

Performance

Both the Yamaha R15 V.2 VS Honda CBR 150, come with the 150cc, liquid-cooled Engine, fuel-injected, 4-valve engines and this is where the similarities end. While the R15 comes with an SOHC engine, the CBR150R comes with a DOHC unit. This is the sole reason which makes these bikes poles apart.

The R15 produces 17 PS of power at 8000 RPM and 15 Nm Of torque at 7500 RPM which you might think is pretty high in the revv range. The CBR150R produces a power of 18 PS at a whooping 10,500 RPM and a low 12.66 Nm of torque at 8500 RPM, which on paper makes the CBR150R slower than the R15 because they weigh almost the same and power comes at very high RPM.

Also Read: Top Honda Bikes Under 6 Lakh At A Glance | BikeBD September 2023

But as soon as these bikes get on the road, things change. Once the Honda CBR150R crosses 7000 RPM, it makes all its power and below 6000 RPM its as good as dead and the engine is tuned for drive-ability rather than performance in city.

But no matter what, the RPM stays around 4000-5000, so you can easily make progress by shifting at around 7000-8000 RPM in city.

Tall gearing of the CBR150R makes the engine easily rev to a stratospheric 11,700 RPM redline where it makes all its power and is faster than the R15 to 0-100 km/hr by 1 second, but slower than the R15 when it comes to 0-60 km/hr.

The CBR150R reminds one of the VTEC, the technology found in Hondas cars which no doubt makes it a pick for those fun track days or cornering hard on a winding twisty roads.

The Yamaha R15 is more practical bike to live with, when it comes to drive-ability in city. It has superior low end torque when compared to the Honda CBR150R. The screaming SOHC engine is also a hoot to ride and loves to redline.

But it lacks the fun quotient which the CBR150R gives while riding hard. The new V2.0 is tuned to be a much friendly street bike than the older one which was specifically made with track performance in mind.

The R15 and CBR150R even have the same top speed but it is the baby CBR which will put a wide grin on your face when you're riding hard.

Riding Dynamics 

Lets come to brakes first, both have front and rear disc brake setup and both have superb brakes, offering great feedback enabling them to come to a halt exactly where you want them to. Its because the dimensions, weight and the disc diameter are identical.

Ride quality on both motorcycles is good, both bikes dismiss small bumps very easily, but its the bigger bumps which make the rider uncomfortable because of the dedicated riding position offered by both these bikes.

The riding position on the CBR150R is spot on. It is comfortable for those long trips once you get used to the bike and gives good feedback to the rider too.

But its the Yamaha R15 with its aggressive riding position which gives massive feedback to the rider and makes the rider push harder and harder into corners every single time. The V2.0 has had lot of changes when it comes to dynamics.

The weight distribution has been changed with more weight on the front, extra long wheelbase thanks to the aluminum swing arm and the fatter front and the rear tyre. All this has made the bike more stable around the corners than before but it takes a bit more effort than before to turn because of the 55 mm increase in wheelbase. Its no slouch but it doesn't feel agile in changing directions like the previous version.

The Honda CBR150R though has 1305 mm wheelbase and with a fairly dedicated position and twin tube diamond frame chassis handles beautifully, front suspension has a bit more travel then we expected.

However, its still fun to chuck into corners and is easy when coming out of the corner at high speeds because of the top end power it generates with utmost ease, a true CBR characteristic.

Also Read: Best Honda Bikes Under 5 Lakh

But its the tires which are a complete letdown, switching to soft compound tyres of the same dimensions will generate more confidence in the rider. Both bikes should check the rear suspension as the factory settings come on extremely softer side.

Conclusion

After all the bit by bit discussion that has enables us to actually present a sound and probably effective review of these majestic beasts of the road and after all the hard work behind the computer may be fruitful if this allows the reader to draw his/her own conclusion and make a wise choice.

But if not may we, the poor and ill-informed writer suggest that as the second bike listed here is not possible for many of our Bangladeshi owners out of reach(Not due to price but due to unavailability), meaning the Honda CBR150r not being available in our market.

Our only hope and happiness will be if this review of  Yamaha R15 V.2 VS Honda CBR 150 has had any help and is good read to our fans 

-By MD Noor Imtiaz

Yamaha R15 V.2 Picture Credit: Shariar Photography

FAQ- Frequently Ask Question:

1. Which is the latest bike of Honda In Bangladesh?

Ans- Honda Has many awesome bikes in our Bangladesh and also these bikes are so much popular for their built quality and performance. Recently they launch "The New Honda CB Shine SP" & "Honda CBR 150R ABS".

2. What is the price of Honda bike In Bangladesh?

Ans- There are many bikes and scooters of Honda In our country. The price of the bikes and scooter is different from each other. We already have an article and a page about all the Honda motorcycles and scooters price. The Article is "Honda Bike Price In BD".

3. Which is the best fuel efficiency bike from Honda?

Ans- First of all we know there are 80-160cc Honda bikes in our country. So if I say that 80cc is the best fuel efficiency bikes in Honda but on condition of looks and design the 80cc is not good enough for this modern age. So by thinking all circumstance I would say that "Honda CB Trigger" is the best fuel efficiency bikes in Honda.