Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) is leaving no stones unturned to grab a bigger market share of the very lucrative Indian two-wheeler market. It is already at the number-2 spot, behind only the rather invincible Hero MotoCorp. However, HMSI isn’t the one to rest on its laurels. It has been trying very hard to establish an even stronger foothold by launching a slew of new motorcycles. We’ve already seen the company trying to garner a wider audience base through products like the Navi and the Cliq. And now, rumours are rife that the company is planning to launch the Honda 150SS Racer in India. This bike will be based on the 150SS Racer concept that made its debut at the Bangkok Motor Show in March 2017.
Also See- New Honda Bikes at Auto Expo 2018 | Upcoming Honda Bikes in India
The Honda 150SS Racer project has cost the company in tune of 6 million Baht (Rs 1.16 crores approx). The Japanese bike-maker calls its upcoming low-displacement streetbike as a neo-cafe racer concept. The 150SS Racer has been entirely a brainchild of the company’s Research and Development facility in Thailand.
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Honda 150SS Racer Design & Features
We have seen many leaked brochure scans and other leaked documents of the upcoming 150SS Racer. These documents go on to reveal specifications and other technical details of the production version of the motorcycle. These scans also show that the production-spec model will get split LED headlamps with the Honda wing badge positioned in the centre. The bike also gets LED fixtures for its turn indicators and the taillight, all of which gives the motorcycle a really modern look. The 150SS boasts a set of 10-spoke, 17-inch alloys that are likely to wear 110- and 140-spec rubber at the front and rear respectively. The upcoming Honda motorcycle also gets a fully digital speedo console. It displays information such as the fuel level, fuel efficiency, tripmeters, gear indicator, clock, engine RPM and speed.
The company recently teased a production-spec model of the Honda 150SS Racer at a dealer meeting in Thailand. The teaser video clip went on to reveal the headlamp and the fuel tank design of the motorcycle. From the looks of it, the production-spec model won’t look completely like the concept, which is something that we always felt would happen. The production model gets narrower swing arm and petal disc brakes instead of round the round rotors seen on the concept bike. Even the seats look different, though they still offer a split-seats arrangement. The 150SS gets racy-looking upside-down front forks that have been given a shade of gold. The production-spec motorcycle gets an altogether different taillamp, too.
Honda 150SS Racer Specifications
| Engine Type | 149.4cc, single-cylinder |
| Fuel Suppy | Fuel Injection |
| Max. Power | 16.8 BHP at 9,000 RPM |
| Peak Torque | 13.7 Nm at 7,000 RPM |
| Transmission | 6-speed Manual |
Powering the new Honda Racer 150cc motorcycle will be a 149.4cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine that will be paired to a smooth-shifting 6-speed transmission.This is the same engine that cab be found powering the latest Honda CBR150R. For the fully-fairied motorcycle, this engine outputs a max. power of 16.8 BHP at 9,000 RPM and a peak torque of 13.7 Nm at 7,000 RPM.
Honda 150SS Racer Suspension & Braking System
| Front Suspension | 41 mm Upside-down forks |
| Rear Suspension | Monoshock with pre-load adjustment |
| Front Brakes | Petal Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Petal Disc |
| ABS | Yes |
The new Honda 150SS Racer gets 41 mm Upside-down front forks that come finished in a shade of golden. The rear suspension gets a mono-shock. We are not sure, but the mono-shock is likely to offer pre-load adjustments. Also, it’s likely that this mono-shock is the same unit that’s being used even on the CBR150R. As for the braking duties, the Racer 150cc motorcycle’s front wheel gets a petal-disc brake with Nissin double-calliper. There is a smaller petal disc brake at the rear. The bike benefits from ABS (Anti-lock Brake System).
Honda 150SS Racer India Launch Prospects
We believe that the 150SS Racer is one motorcycle that makes a lot of sense for the ever-evolving Indian bike market. The 150SS can become a logical successor to the now discontinued CBR150R. Currently, the bike-maker has no product in the performance-focused 150cc segment. The CB Hornet 160R, while a well-sorted motorcycle, sits half a segment lower and isn’t really the sportiest we’ve seen from Honda. The Hornet costs roughly Rs 90,000. The 150cc Racer model, if it ever makes it to India, will easily cost upwards of Rs 1.00 lakh.
Also Read: Bikes At Auto Expo 2018 | Cars At Auto Expo 2018
Until now, the manufacturer hasn’t revealed any plans of launching the Honda 150SS Racer in India. However, we are hoping to see this motorcycle at the Auto Expo 2018. In India, the Racer 150SS should make for a worthy opponent to the likes of TVS Apache RTR 200 4V and Bajaj Pulsar AS200. Honestly, we are really waiting for the launch of the 150SS here. What about you? Also, what do you think should be the price of this motorcycle? Let us know by sharing your thoughts through commenting below.
Source- IAB, TMC Blog
