Well, the most complicated questions of all time is selecting one out of the 150 cc motorcycles in India. All of them share few common things apart form their engine displacement like a price tag of around INR 80,000-90,000, naked street fighter design, excellent color options and low cost of ownership when compared to the premium 150 cc motorcycles.
First out of all is Yamaha FZS version 2.0. One of the oldest names in muscular yet fuel efficient bikes, FZS was launched at the time when only Pulsars were powerful on the Indian roads. They brought a completely different aspect of riding as the word commuter was left behind with its thick tyres, nearly zero headlight fairing and chiseled body design.
Now, the FZS has evolved into a symbol of street king in the 150 cc category. It comes loaded with a new chassis and fuel injection for improved performance while overall weight has also been reduced for a better mileage. It is the most trusted player in this segment while misses on equipment like a rear disc brake. Well, Yamaha has a lot of experience in this field and they have always avoided cost cutting measures and delivered all what is actually required for a motorcycle of this class.
Suzuki brought its most lethal weapon ever with the introduction of the new Gixxer in India. Recently launched with a rear disc brake, Suzuki Gixxer can be easily listed as the most value for money bike around in the 150 cc street bike segment. It comes with the same thick tyres, more power and now a rear disc brake for braking satisfaction of the rider.
Honda entered late into the fight and lost a lot of market share in the old times when it's commuter based 150 cc motorcycles were sold in a few numbers only. CB Hornet 160R comes loaded with a butch design along with its CBS equipped double disc brake system. It uses the biggest engine out of three while even weighs the most out of all in the segment.
Price wise distribution of the motorcycles
- Suzuki Gixxer Double Disc - INR 79,726
- Yamaha FZS v2.0 - INR 82,259
- Honda CB Hornet 160R - INR 84,783
Both the Honda and Suzuki motorcycles are equipped with double disc brakes while Yamaha offers a single front disc only. Yamaha FZS is the most refined motorcycle with fuel injection while the CB Hornet feels most safe with its CBS, at least on paper. Yamaha weighs just 132 kg while the Gixxer is 5kg and Hornet if 10 kg heavier than the FZS.
The right decision would be Yamaha FZS v2.0 as it cares more for you with it's divided seat, rear mudguard, exotic colors and the most lightweight body for ease in handling. The second option, if Yamaha is unfortunately not your choice, Gixxer would be the best as it offers the most equipped package with the least effective price tag out of all. Honda is late into the game and its premium pricing technique makes the Hornet compete with the fully faired 150 cc motorcycles instead of the naked ones.
