Yamaha YZF-R15 V4 vs 2021 Honda CBR150R: Spec Comparison

It’s a question lingering on every enthusiast's mind, when will Honda bring the sporty 2021 CBR150R to India? Honda currently doesn’t have a fully faired entry-level bike in India, and bringing in the CBR150R would put it in a better position to take on Yamaha’s recently introduced R15 V4. Yes it’s expensive, but so is every other bike of this calibre. So if Honda were to offer its entry-level supersport in India, how would it fare against the fourth-gen R15, at least on paper?

Engine and Performance

Specifications	Yamaha YZF-R15 Version 4.0	2021 Honda CBR150R
Engine	155cc, liquid-cooled, SOHC, 4-valve	149.16cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve
Power	18.4PS @ 10000rpm	17.1PS @ 9000rpm
Torque	14.2Nm @ 7500rpm	14.4Nm @ 7000rpm
Gearbox	6-speed + slipper clutch	6-speed + slipper clutch

Looking at the spec sheet, the CBR150R packs a slightly smaller 149.16cc motor compared to the R15. However, the power deficit is a meagre  1.3PS. Moreover, the CBR makes a bit more torque lower down the rev range. And when you factor in the CBR’s 3kg weight advantage, the performance gap seems trivial. 

We believe the CBR150R may be able to get off the line faster since it weighs less and makes most of its power lower down the rev range. However, the R15 with its VVA-equipped engine and linear power delivery may soon catch up and outrun the Honda. 

Underpinnings 

Specifications	Yamaha YZF-R15 Version 4.0	2021 Honda CBR150R
Frame	Deltabox	Diamond type
Front suspension	USD Fork	USD Fork
Rear suspension	Monoshock	Monoshock
Front brake	282mm disc	Petal disc brake
Rear brake	220mm disc	Petal disc brake
Front tyre	100/80-17	100/80-17
Rear tyre	140/70-R17	130/70-17

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Both bikes are pretty similarly equipped. The difference, so to speak, is down to the frame, swingarm and tyres. The R15 features more premium equipment featuring a deltabox frame, an aluminium swingarm and a fatter radial rear tyre. Both bikes also get dual-channel ABS, though the CBR only gets it on the top-spec models.

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Dimensions 

Specifications	Yamaha YZF-R15 Version 4.0	2021 Honda CBR150R
Wheelbase	1325mm	1310mm
Ground clearance	170mm	160mm
Fuel tank capacity	11-litres	12-Liter
Seat height	815mm	782mm
Kerb weight	142kg	139kg

The R15 V4 may be the better equipped bike, but the CBR150R is the lighter one here. It also features a shorter wheelbase and a slimmer rear tyre which could make it livelier in the corners. Not to mention, the lower seat height makes it more accessible for shorter riders. You also have a slightly larger fuel tank which will mean fewer fuel stops compared to the R15. And if you consider the CBR's lower kerb weight, you might find it easier to move around in the parking lot too!

The ground clearance, however, is less, so you might have to be more careful while going over those tall speed breakers or crater-sized potholes. 

Features

Features	Yamaha YZF-R15 Version 4.0	2021 Honda CBR150R
Digital Console	Yes	Yes
Display modes	Yes	No
Navigation	No	No
Traction Control	Yes	No
Quickshifter	Yes	No
Navigation	Yes	No
Caller ID/SMS, Email alert	Yes	No
Last Parking Location	Yes	No
Gear-position indicator	Yes	Yes
Real-time mileage	Yes	NA
Average fuel efficiency	Yes	NA
Distance-to-empty	Yes	NA
Side-stand engine cut-off	Yes	NA
LED headlamp	Yes	Yes

There’s no two ways to it, the R15 V4 packs more features than the CBR150R. It offers a lot more for the asking price. You have a number of segment-first features including traction control and a quickshifter which are usually only seen on big bikes. Yamaha even went a step further to offer a range of premium accessories for the R15. You can check them out here. 

Price & Verdict

Model	Yamaha YZF-R15 Version 4.0	2021 Honda CBR150R
R15 Metallic Red	Rs 1,67,800	Rp. 40,180,000 (Rs 2.07 lakh)
R15 Dark Knight	Rs 1,68,800
R15 Racing Blue	Rs 1,72,800
R15M	Rs 1,77,800
R15 Monster Energy	Rs 1,79,800

Ex-showroom prices*

So if Honda wishes to compete in the same segment, it would have to manufacture the 2021 CBR150R in India to bring down costs. As is the current scenario, the R15 V4 has the CBR beat in every possible aspect. So pricing the bike more competitively is the only way Honda could come out on top.