The 150cc motorcycle segment is undoubtedly the most popular bike segment in India. No wonder why all the big players in the game are flooding the ever-growing 150cc market with stylish products that deliver good overall performance and decent fuel service. The’cc’ of these good-looking bikes are not exactly 150cc, rather it is in the range of 150cc to 160 cc. I own a Honda CB Hornet, so I will write a review on that, but I have also evaluated other bikes in the same category used by friends, for which I will write short reviews as well.
- Honda CB Hornet 160R
The Honda CB Hornet 160R is arguably the best looking bike in the 150cc to 160cc segment. The speed machine, sporting a stocky exhaust, all-digital speedometer, X-shaped LED taillight, fat tyres, and an edgy styling with a carbon fibre cover on top of the fuel tank, is a lean mean streetfighter with an ultimate sporty look. The 160cc engine belts out 15.7bhp peak power at 8500rpm, and 14.76Nm of torque, which propels the machine at a top speed of 112kmph. The fuel efficiency of the CB Hornet is around 46-48kmpl.
- Suzuki Gixxer
Featuring a distinctive sharp design, the Suzuki Gixxer is one of the most popular 150cc motorcycle brands currently on sale in India. The bike features an all-digital console that displays an array of readouts, including a gear position indicator, which isn’t available in any other 150cc to 160cc bike. Smooth performance, easy handling, and a street-smart muscular body make the Suzuki Gixxer an irresistible proposition. The 155cc single-cylinder engine produces 14.5bhp power at 8000rpm, delivering numbers between 47-49kmpl in terms of fuel efficiency.
- Yamaha FZ-S FI V 2.0
One of the largest selling bikes in India, the Yamaha FZ-S FI V 2.0 is the latest variant of bike major Yamaha’s popular FZ series. The FZ-S FI V 2.0, borrowing its styling from its previous generation, sports a streetfighter look with sharp creases. With an all-new instrument console, sharper headlight, and redesigned graphics, the FZ-S FI V 2.0 produces 12.9bhp power and 13.6Nm of torque. The bike, featuring a redefined fuel-injected 149cc engine, delivers 42-44kmpl.
- Bajaj Pulsar AS 150
Falling under the Adventure Sports segment, or AS, the new-model Bajaj Pulsar AS 150 endeavours to repeat the success of its predecessor the Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTSi. The new styling with vertically stacked headlights and an upright windscreen justifies the’Adventure Sports’ tag. The Pulsar AS 150, incorporating a solid build, integrates a host of features that include an underbelly exhaust, new alloy wheels, split seats, and a part-analogue, part-digital, instrument cluster. The bike’s four-valve 150cc engine makes over 16.7bhp power at 9500rpm, and 13Nm of peak torque at 7, 000rpm. Fuel efficiency is in the range of 50-52kmpl.
- TVS Apache 160 RTR
The TVS Apache series, first introduced in 2007, has undergone several upgrades over the years. The company’s latest launch, the TVS Apache RTR 160, is the result of relentless research and development that enabled the creation of this high-calibre machine. Marked by a big fuel tank sculpted with knee recesses and racy graphics, the TVS Apache RTR 160 combines a powerful 159.7cc four-stroke engine, and petal disc brakes, the first-of-its-kind in the 150cc to 160cc class. The four-stroke engine produces 15.2bhp of power at 8500rpm, and peak torque of 13.1Nm at 4000rpm, delivering a striking fuel efficiency of 52-54kmpl.