The introduction of premium sporty small-displacement naked and sportbikes across Asia in recent years has transformed two-wheeled travel for both enthusiasts and commuters alike. Before the likes of the Yamaha MT-15 and KTM 200 Duke, those in the market for a small displacement commuter were left with either a barebones scooter, or a small capacity lackluster standard machine.
These days, lots of tech features, as well
as styling cues have trickled down from the bigger, expensive machines onto
smaller, more affordable commuter bikes. Bikes like the Yamaha YZF-R15 and the
Suzuki GSX-R150 bear a strong resemblance to their liter-class siblings, making
these bikes incredibly popular among beginner sportbike enthusiasts, or folks
on a tighter budget. The naked bike segment has also received the same
treatment, with the MT-15, 200 Duke, and GSX-S150 all bearing similar styling
cues to their bigger brothers.
Honda isn’t one to let this trend go by
without joining the party. Just recently, the Japanese motorcycle giant
launched a massively updated version of its premium entry-level naked bike, the
CB150R Streetfire. Initially launching in the Indonesian market, this bike will
undoubtedly make its way all across Asia, and will be a fine contender against
the likes of the aforementioned 150cc to 200cc naked bikes.
The updated CB150R gets thoroughly
redesigned bodywork, which really elevates its overall aesthetic as a sporty,
modern commuter. Available in two variants—Standard and Special Edition—the
CB150R Streetfire boasts some pretty impressive kit for its class. For
starters, it now gets a beefier inverted fork, as opposed to its predecessor’s
standard telescopic units. It also gets an LCD digital display, and LED
headlights and turn indicators.
At its heart lies a 149cc DOHC,
liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine which is rated at a fun-sized 16
horsepower. It transfers power to the rear wheel via a six-speed manual
transmission, as is common fare with bikes in this segment. As far as pricing
goes, the CB150R Streetfire is pegged at IDR 29,700,000, which translates to
around US$ 2,100.