2021 Honda CB150R Streetfire vs Yamaha MT-15 vs Suzuki GSX-S150: Specifications Compared
Does Honda’s newest naked have an edge over its rivals?
Does Honda’s newest naked have an edge over its rivals?
Honda Indonesia recently launched the 2021 Honda CB150R Streetfire in the country. It goes directly against the Yamaha MT-15 and the Suzuki GSX-S150. Of the three, only the MT-15 is available in India, albeit with slightly different specifications. So to keep things fair, let’s take the Indonesia-spec version of the MT-15 into consideration and see how the three fare on paper:
Engine
The Yamaha MT-15’s bigger engine has the obvious advantage of being the most powerful and the torquiest of the trio. That said, the Suzuki GSX-S150’s engine output figures are impressive considering it has the smallest engine displacement. The VVA tech in the MT-15 should help maintain a good balance of low-end grunt and top-end drive whereas the other two bikes are devoid of such modern technologies. The MT-15 also gets the advantage of an assist-and-slipper clutch. The assist function reduces the lever effort whereas the slipper clutch prevents the rear wheel from locking up while downshifting aggressively. An interesting tidbit is that even though the India-spec MT-15 makes less power and torque than the other two bikes (18.5PS and 13.9Nm), it complies with the more stringent BS6 emission norms.
Underpinnings
The Suzuki GSX-S150 is not only the most sober-looking bike here, but it also gets the most basic underpinnings. Thankfully, the Honda CB150R has upgraded from traditional forks to inverted ones for 2021. The MT-15 has always had inverted forks in the international-spec version. Only the India-spec model gets a conventional fork to keep costs in check. Inverted fork enhances the handling of the motorcycle by offering better handlebar feedback.
The MT-15 also gets the fattest tyres that should help improve cornering confidence, at least theoretically. The petal discs in the Honda and Suzuki have a larger surface area compared to a conventional disc of the same size, and hence, offer superior cooling. None of the bikes get ABS as the safety norms in Indonesia don’t warrant one for bikes in their segment.
Dimensions And Features
The 2021 Honda CB150R Streetfire’s bigger fuel tank means it should offer better range than the Yamaha MT-15 or the Suzuki GSX-S150. It also gets the highest ground clearance, a boon for riding on bad roads. The MT-15 gets a fairly tall seat as well, whereas the CB150R and the GSX-S150 are short rider-friendly. The extra long wheelbase in the MT-15 should keep it stable on the highways, whereas the shorter wheelbase in the other two bikes should make them easy to manoeuvre in tight city spaces.
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All three motorcycles get an all-LED headlamp and tail lamp. While the Honda CB150R gets LED indicators, the other two bikes manage with bulb units. The three motorcycles come with an information-laden fully digital instrument cluster, complete with a gear position indicator. Additionally, Suzuki offers an illuminated key slot with a remote key (optional) in the GSX-S150 for extra convenience. Overall, it’s safe to say all three bikes are pretty modern and up-to-date in the features department. However, we’d have liked it if they offered smartphone connectivity with turn-by-turn navigation, at least as an optional fitment.
Price & Verdict
Despite being the most affordable bike of the lot, the Suzuki GSX-S150 manages to be almost at par with the MT-15 in terms of performance. However, its conservative looks and traditional underpinnings may not appeal to everyone. The 2021 Honda CB150R Streetfire offers a great balance of looks and features. But if you’re looking for an out-and-out performance-oriented bike, the Yamaha MT-15 is the one for you.
All prices on-road, Jakarta.
Yamaha MT-15 User Reviews
- Complete packageThis bike looks stunning and I have added extra loadings worth 5k on it like crash guards grab rail etc. This bike gives around 50kmpl mileage and when you want performance from it, it behaves like a 200cc bike with the VVA tech of yamaha. Overall this bike always brings smile to the rider's face. Maintenance cost is also low.Read More4
- Best street fighter bike loveBest street fighter bike, loved the performance of the bike. Best bike performance is awesome and the bike has liquid cool engine which is good for daily use and the bike is in good condition it's like showroom looks new. Best condition bike and the engine is very smooth, Bike has very powerful engine.Read More5 2
- Very impressiveBecause i I see the looks of the bike and Yamaha engine is very reliable and refined, and the mileage of the bike is priceless, and the power is also good I choose this bike because I am in college in 2021. I driving sis 2021 to 2025, feel very easy to maintain very less maintenance and cost service around 1100 with agency. I drive this bike, 1.60 km four year and I cover almost all the Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and I got all the area of tourist place in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Bihar, UP, Jharkhand, Kolkata, and I am very happy to use this motorcycle I have mt 15, 2021 model BS6 It is very lightweight. Very easy to handle and stability is very good on off-road or normal village and city Road is very good mileage of this motorcycle because it has the engine of 155 cc and the power is also very good I am also using this why I am driving. This bike 1.60,00,000 kilometre and I am very impressed with this machine service is very minimal. I suggest college students to buy this bike person who travel to Office who can also buy this bike because mileage and the power, and the looks is very good combination.Read More1 1
- Mt 15 bikeBee good very good comfortable not bad , good mileage and performance good ride safety and good bee the best of the solo ride and good coluor and attractiveness good quality and nice to drive before the seat will length it good to drive for a family and any other works due to the family............Read More2
- Geniune reviewAll I can see is it a perfect bike , looks wow I genuinely use mt15 bs4 for 6year but it's perfect It was my dream bike and I won it. My running klm is Atmost 70k but still it's good and seat feel little bit uncomfortable but it's good for solo ride , mainly the mileage is still the same as before I broughtRead More1