Choosing between 2022 Yamaha YZF-R15 and Honda CBR150R: A Battle of Titans

YZF-R15 V4 takes on CBR150R in a battle of the 150cc sportbikes

The recently launched Yamaha YZF-R15 V4 is set to compete in Vietnam’s 150cc sportbike segment, joining the battle between the Japanese titans Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki.

While power is a key factor, buyers also consider factors such as style, features, and price. The 150cc sportbike segment is no exception.

Yamaha positioned the YZF-R15 as a high-performance sportbike, but what sets it apart from the Honda CBR150R?

Angular designs

At first glance, it’s difficult to determine which bike looks sportier, the YZF-R15 or the CBR150R.

The R15’s design is heavily influenced by the Yamaha R7. Placed side by side, it’s difficult to tell them apart unless you look at the tires.

The new YZF-R15 features hidden main headlights in the center air intake, with turn signals on both sides. The CBR150R has symmetrical headlights with integrated DRLs that also function as turn signals.

The YZF-R15 still sports external turn signal lights and uses halogen bulbs, a feature that even fans of the bike admit makes it look less modern.

“Replacing the current turn signals with small, compact LED lights would greatly enhance the YZF-R15’s appearance,” said Mr. Th., a YZF-R15 V3 owner.

In contrast to the CBR150R’s sharp tail, the YZF-R15 V4 features two additional air vents. Yamaha claims this gives the bike better road grip.

The CBR150R sports a more street sporty look, while the YZF-R15 appeals with racing-inspired details, a detail that may influence buyers’ choices. The turn signals on the R15 may be a bit inconvenient to use, but they are easy to replace once the bike is owned.

YZF-R15 is more powerful

The heart of the YZF-R15 V4 lies in its 155cc engine with variable valve timing (VVA) system. This engine produces 19.1 horsepower at 10,000 rpm and a peak torque of 14.7 Nm at 8,500 rpm.

The CBR150R is equipped with a 149cc engine, producing 17.1 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and a peak torque of 13.7 Nm at 7,000 rpm.

A quick look at the numbers reveals the YZF-R15’s power advantage over the CBR150R, both in terms of horsepower and torque. The single-camshaft configuration also allows the YZF-R15 to offer better acceleration compared to its rival.

Despite the close 150cc displacement, Yamaha seems to prioritize sporty performance and aims to create a more powerful bike compared to the Honda CBR, which focuses more on durability.

The CBR150R is cheaper and comes with ABS

Although it may not match the YZF-R15’s power, the Honda CBR150R still offers attractive features to potential customers. The bike comes with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), an advantage over the YZF-R15. While not a necessity for everyone, this feature is highly valued by most buyers.

The CBR150R also boasts the lowest starting price in the segment (71.29 million VND), giving it an edge over both the YZF-R15 (78 million VND) and the GSX-R150 (71.99 million VND). It’s highly likely that the actual selling price of the YZF-R15 V4 will be lower than the suggested price to compete more effectively against the CBR150R.

In conclusion, if you’re a budget-conscious buyer in search of a 150cc sportbike, the Honda CBR150R is currently the best choice. It offers an affordable price and includes ABS brakes.

The Yamaha YZF-R15 V4, on the other hand, targets Yamaha enthusiasts who desire a powerful and sporty 150cc sportbike.

Furthermore, the standard version of the R15 is also available for those with tighter budgets who can’t afford the “full” YZF-R15M (86-87 million VND) with its more advanced technologies but higher price tag.