India loves its 150 cc motorcycles. The segment has taken some beating over the past few months, due to the slowdown in the economy, but it still shows a lot of promise. The success story of the new Yamaha MT-15 is a shining beacon in this slide. However, the market still has a lot of empty positions which can be filled. Here are five 150 cc motorcycles we wish were sold in India:
Bajaj Boxer 150X: Time for some adventure
The Boxer range has been absent from the Indian Bajaj line-up for some time now. It has carved a name for itself in Africa, though. Using the existing bare-bones look, the designers at Bajaj have added a high front fender and knobby tyres to the Boxer 150.
While not a thoroughbred off-roader, the Boxer 150X can certainly withstand a beating. Powering the bike is a 144.8 cc single-cylinder, air-cooled mill. Coupled to a 5-speed gearbox, the powerplant can produce 12 PS of power and 12.3 Nm of torque. A 4-speed version is also on offer. Suspension duties are overseen by conventional telescopic fork up front and twin spring-in-spring (SNS) suspension at the back.
Bajaj Boxer 150X' features list includes a gear position indicator, 35-watt DC headlamp and a front disc brake. The bike tips the scales at a low 109 kg, which signals great fun off-road. Besides that, Boxer it has a 9.3-litre fuel tank. Colour options include matte black, red and blue.
The Bajaj Boxer 150X is priced in Russia at RUB 88,900 (INR 96,155). If introduced in India, expect the pricing to hover between INR 65,000 to INR 70,000.
Suzuki GSX-R150: Gixxer’s South Delhi cousin!
The new Suzuki Gixxer SF 150 is a great machine, but there is another 150 cc fully-faired Suzuki motorcycle which many Indians envy - GSX-R150. The GSX-R150 has an LED headlamp and a fancy keyless ignition system that comes with a key fob.
Powering the Suzuki GSX-R150 is a 147.3 cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, DOHC mill. Mated to a 6-speed gearbox, the engine can produce 19.17 PS of power and 14 Nm of torque. However, unlike the R15 v3.0, the GSX-R150 gets neither Variable Valve Actuation nor a slipper clutch. The Suzuki GSX-R150 is suspended over conventional telescopic forks in the front and a monoshock in the rear with adjustable preload. Brakes include a petal disc at both ends.
Also Read: 5 Suzuki motorcycles we wish to see in India
The Suzuki GSX-R150 has a ground clearance of 160 mm and a seat height of 785 mm. It tips the scales at 131 kg (dry weight). It is priced at IDR 30.18 million (INR 1.49 lakh). It could have cost around INR 1.3 lakh (ex-showroom) in India.
Aprilia RS 150 concept: A taste of fine Italian wine
It is not every day that Italians make small capacity motorcycles. But when they showcased the Aprilia RS 150 concept at Auto Expo 2018, it had us all super excited. Designed on the lines of the litre-class, flagship Aprilia RSV4. Characteristic triple headlamps in the front and familiar livery add to the looks.
At the heart of the Aprilia RS 150 concept is a 150 cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected mill which produces 18 PS of power and 14 Nm of torque. The gearbox is a 6-speed unit. The motorcycle was also teased with a quick-shifter and that’s something unseen even in the more premium, quarter-litre segment. Suspension duties include upside-down 40 mm fork at the front and a monoshock at the rear. Brakes include a 300 mm disc at the front and a 218 mm unit at the rear.
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Aprilia is not very enthusiastic about the RS 150 and believes it needs to look for something different. In fact, it is looking to work on motorcycles in the premium, mid-range segment with an engine displacement between 150 cc and 250 cc.
CFMoto 150NK: Chinese checkers!
Bookings for the recently introduced four CFMoto bikes by AMW Motorcycles began on 5 August 2019. However, what we really want to see in India is the CFMoto 150NK. This entry-level motorcycle can be introduced in India to feed the ever-growing hunger for entry-level performance machines.
The CFMoto 150NK is powered by a 149.4 cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected SOHC engine. Coupled to a 6-speed gearbox, the engine produces 14.55 PS of power and 12.2 Nm of torque. The 150NK is suspended over upside-down fork up front and a monoshock in the rear. Brakes include a 292 mm disc at the front and a 220 mm unit at the rear. The bike weighs 135 kg (dry) and has a low seat height of 775 mm. Ground clearance is at 150 mm and the fuel tank can store 10-litres of petrol.
Key features include an LED headlamp, semi-digital instrument console and split seats. If introduced, the CFMoto 150NK with heavy levels of localisation could cost anywhere from INR 1.2-1.4 lakh.
Yamaha XSR 155 (TBC)
Yamaha is reportedly working on a new motorcycle based on the R15 v3.0 powertrain. This retro-styled motorcycle is expected to be introduced in ASEAN region later this year. Considering the success which the premium 150 cc Yamaha motorcycles have experienced off late, this one cannot be ruled out for India.
The 155cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, SOHC mill will continue with Variable Valve Actuation. Besides that, a slip and assist clutch will also be available as standard. Output figures will be the same - 19.3 PS of power and 14.7 Nm of torque. The gearbox will be the same 6-speed unit. The frame is expected to be the same deltabox unit with a disc brake at both ends. The suspension setup will include an identical upside-down fork in the front and a monoshock in the rear with adjustable preload.
Also Read: 5 Yamaha two-wheelers we want to see launched in India
The Yamaha XSR155 is expected to have a retro-styled look with a rounded headlamp. Besides that, Even the instrument console unit would be a circular unit as seen in the bigger XSR range. If introduced in India expect a price tag around INR 1.4 lakh (ex-showroom).
Also Read: Top 5 concepts from Auto Expo 2016 that never made it to production
