This 2017 Honda RS150R commissioned by a
Honda dealer in Binh Duong, Vietnam is built by Quang and is not simply a
supercub with a race replica paintjob.
Specially constructed for an event in Ho Chi Minh
City, a report from Vietnamese website Autobikes did not reveal the build cost,
save to say it was approximately 100 million dong. This would mean
the cost of the bike itself and the components is not included in the build, or
the builder has access to components at prices the rest of us can only dream
about.
Starting with the wheels taken off a Ducati Panigale
1199, Quong found that the Panigale’s swingarm would not fit, so a unit from
the Honda NSR150 SP was installed instead. Shod with Pirelli Diablo tyres, the
racing slicks give the Honda RS150R a striking resemblance to the Honda
RC213V-S superbike.
For the suspension, an upside-down Ohlins front fork
was lifted off a Kawasaki ZX-10R, and accompanied by an Ohlins rear shock
absorber. Brembo does the braking for the supercub build, as are the adjustable
levers.
For that MotoGP racebike look, the handlebars
feature a myriad of buttons, just like the real thing. There is a button marked
“TC”, but somehow we think traction control will not be making an appearance on
this bike.
The engine for the RS150R build was left somewhat
standard by Quong, but over-bored to 175 cc, with intake air, ignition and fuel
injection monitored from three digital meters on the step-over cover. Strangely
enough, final drive for this RS150R “superbike” is with a belt, and not chain.
This was done for ease of modification, as a belt is
slightly more tolerant of driveline distortion than a chain. The exhaust comes
from a Honda CBR1000RR, and certainly looks the part.
Lighting for the Honda RS150R is taken off the Icon
scooter, while the rear light assembly comes from the NSR150 SP, along with a
single seat. The quality of Quong’s work is seen throughout the build, with the
bike looking like it came out of the works at Hamamatsu, Japan.
