There was a time when the entry level motorcycle segment was full of options and 150cc segment used to be considered as performance segment with a few options to choose from, namely "Hero Honda CBZ" and Bajaj Pulsar. Now the scenario has been changed drastically and we have ample of options available in almost every motorcycle segment, ranging from 100cc entry level bike segment to liter class and above supersport bikes. There is something for everyone to cater their individual needs, in fact now the availability of multiple offers from different manufacturers made the customers more confuse.The 150cc class is no longer considered as only performance segment, however many manufacturers have their track oriented performance machines in 150cc class, Yamaha YZF-R15 V2.0 and Honda CBR 150R are few to name. Availability of Performance bikes in 150cc class also increased the popularity of the segment, leading to the increased demand in other class as well.
The 150cc class has a wonderful capability to cater almost all sorts of end users, depending on the tuning of engine the 150cc engine can be a good combination of Performance and economy. Only this attribute of 150cc class is sufficient to make it Power Commuter Segment, other than the pricing which is also one of the important aspects in buying decision. We have broadly categorized the 150-160cc class into three:
1) Commuter segment
2) Premium segment
3) Sports segment
The above segments are differentiated on the basis of Pricing, Performance and Fuel Economy. Here we are discussing only options available in 150-160cc Commuter segment by different manufacturers:
Hero MotoCorp:The Hero MotoCorp offers one of the largest product lines in two wheeler industry out of which there are two options available for those who are interested in 150-160cc class commuter bikes:
Hero MotoCorp Achiever:
The Achiever is a successor of the "Ambition" which was a 135cc bike belonged to Hero Honda alliance. Hero continued with Ambition by giving it not only a new name "Achiever" but also with 149.1cc engine which Hero had acquired from the Honda Unicorn. The Achiever is a true commuter which provides good combination of performance and economy. It also comes with AMI - Advanced Microprocessor Ignition System which was carried forward from Hero Honda Ambition.
The Achiever comes with 149.1cc 4-stroke single cylinder engine which is capable of producing 13.6 PS @8000 Rpm and Max Torque of 12.8 Nm @5000 Rpm. The achiever also comes with stylish all black alloy wheels with optional front disc brakes. The price of Hero Achiever is Rs 59,425 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
See Full Details Of Hero AchieverHero MotoCorp Hunk:
The Hunk is a masculine motorcycle comes with 149.2cc single cylinder air cooled engine tuned to produce 14.4 PS @8500 Rpm and Max Torque of 12.8 Nm @6500 Rpm. The bike comes with wider front 80/100 X 18 Tubeless tyre and Rear 100/90 X 18 Tubeless tyre. It also has disc brake options for both front and rear wheels.
The front has Telescopic fork suspensions where as at the rear dual Nitrox Gas Filled shock absorbers do the duty. The price of Hero Hunk is Rs 70,125 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
See Full details Of Hero HunkHonda:
Honda Motorcycles & Scooters India (HMSI) has many great products to offer out of which Unicorn has a special mention as it is the first motorcycle with which Honda had stepped into the Indian two wheeler market.
Honda CB Unicorn:
The Honda Unicorn which is now considered as commuter bike once introduced as premium model from Honda as it has industry first rear "Monoshock" suspension and quality craftsmanship from Honda. The Unicorn has buttery smooth 149.1cc air cooled 4-stroke engine. The engine is tuned to produce 13.3 PS @8000 Rpm and Max Torque of 12.7 Nm @5500 Rpm.
The Honda Unicorn is available at a price tag of Rs 64,638 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
See Full Details Of Honda CB UnicornBajaj:
Bajaj is also not lagging behind offering some great value for money products in almost every motorcycle segments. Pulsar series which was originally introduced to counterfeit the Hero Honda CBZ in performance segment is now one of the most popular brands of the country, it is also one of the most evolving brands of India. The Pulsar 150 which used to be a performance bike has left as commuter option as the brand evolved to some hardcore performance machines like Pulsar 220F and Pulsar 200NS.
Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTSi UG4:
The Pulsar 150 has also transformed from classic version which was launched in 2001 to the 4th generation Pulsar 150 DTSi UG4. The current generation Pulsar 150 is equipped with 149.1cc air cooled 4-stroke dtsi engine. The engine is tuned to produce 15.1 PS @9000 Rpm and Max Torque of 12.5 Nm @6500 Rpm. The engine is mated to 5-speed gear transmission.
The pulsar 150 comes with standard front disc brake with alloy wheels and it is available at Rs 70,369 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
See Full Details Of Pulsar 150 DTSi UG4Suzuki:
Suzuki India is also growing its stake in Indian Two wheeler industry, they have recently launched some good products like Inazuma and Gixxer. In commuter segment also they have some good options to offer, their Suzuki GS 150R is a one potent bike in 150cc class.
Suzuki GS 150R:
The Suzuki GS150R was the first motorcycle after Yamaha RD350 with 6-speed transmission in India, later this feature was made available by other manufacturers in their performance bikes but still this feature is unique in 150cc segment be it a premium class or commuter segment.
The bike has 149.5cc air cooled 4-stroke single cylinder engine which is capable of producing 14.0 PS @8500 Rpm and Max Torque of 13.4 Nm @6000 Rpm. The bike comes with front 240mm disc brake with front Telescopic shock absorbers and rear swingarm type spring loaded hydraulic shock absorbers. The Suzuki GS150R is available at Rs 64,509 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
See Full Details Of Suzuki GS 150RYamaha:
Apart from 110cc and 125cc commuter bikes like the other manufacturers have Yamaha India also has one offering in 150cc commuter class- the Yamaha SZ R.
Yamaha SZ R:
The Yamaha SZ-R is equipped with 153cc air cooled 4-stroke single cylinder engine. The 153cc engine is capable to produce 12.1 PS @7500 Rpm and Max Torque of 12.8 Nm @4500 Rpm. The engine is mated to 5-speed gear. The bike comes with front disc brake option and all alloy wheels with wider 100/90- 17 rear tyre. The Yamaha SZ-R is available at price tag of Rs 59,100 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
See Full Details Of Yamaha SZ RThe above discussed motorcycles are available options in 150cc commuter segment, hope this will help you taking buying decision. Stay tuned for the up coming articles on the rest of the two segments of 150cc i.e Premium segment and Sports segment.
By: Farhan Kashif