The Yamaha Yzf-r15 150cc Roadbike

[dotcom]

Imported bikes are always going to be more expensive than local made bikes.

Time for Kawa to get it in gear. "Where's the beef?".

[Richard-BKK]

Importing motorcycles from India is not that expensive, Yamaha (Thailand) should know all bigger bikes they sell here are made in India. Even the Kawasaki Boss 175 comes pre-assembled from India (The Kawasaki Boss is manufactured by Bajaj Auto, currently they themselves have already upgraded the Avenger to 200cc). Thailand and India have for a few years a Free trade agreement.

Edited July 23, 2008 by Richard-BKK

[LivinLOS]

I was under the (uninformed I admit) impression that big bikes were high priced and rare in india...

[dave_boo]

First riding experience is that the Yamaha R15 is close to what you get with a Honda CBR-150R. On road handling and suspension, I cannot say that much, as the tires are still shiny and last weekend was not exactly the driest day.

We did some riding test on Rama II road with police escort on a Tiger Boxer 200PX, my g/f was capable to keep 'easily' up with the Tiger (again this says nothing about the Yamaha being better, faster or more economic then a Honda CBR150)

One thing I noticed is that the Honda CBR makes a nicer sound, the Yamaha R15 sounds more like an 115cc Fino.

Thanks for the info. Especially about the Boxer. If it can't stay quite a bit ahead of a 150cc, it is not so attractive a buy; I was thinking about getting one for the brother in law (although I was planning on getting quite some time in the saddle on it).

I understand about the tires, a bit suicidial to push a bike to its limits when you have brand new rubber on the rims. Just out of curiousity, was the suspension set up a bit firmer than the CBR 150R's? Reason I'm asking is that on average Indians are bigger than Thais and every CBR 150R I've ridden has been a bit soft in that department. Of course I could lose some weight (!) but I've paid a lot of money for food to get this big.

I'm sure that a new exhaust is in the future for the R15, that should let you tune up the sound more to your liking. I'm personally a fan of V-Twin sounds, whether it's the rumble of a Harley or that sweet note that the Italian (Ducati/Benneli/etc.) give off. But like they say horses for courses.

At 120 000 Rupees, it's a bit expensive; approximately 95 000 Baht. I'd still want to point out that for another manufacturer to break Honda's stranglehold on the 'pocket rocket' market, they're most likely going to have to at least match, if not pass under the price point that Honda has set. Here's hoping that Yamaha can do that, I'm assuming by having to build them locally, and bring them to the Thai market.

[Richard-BKK]

It is hard to compare the Yamaha R15 with a Honda CBR, firstly we did not had a CBR at the time present. I can say that the Yamaha is bigger, on paper it is only here and there a few centimeters but sitting on the Yamaha feels bigger. I also somehow feels more massive, this must be an illusion as the bike weights only about 5 kilo more then the CBR150.

Personally I agree with Dave_boo, the Yamaha is a very good alternative for the Honda CBR-150. If it was widely available in Thailand, and the price was somewhat more compatible with the Honda price. For the overall cost of the Yamaha, you come close to other options available in Thailand.

[dave_boo]

It is hard to compare the Yamaha R15 with a Honda CBR, firstly we did not had a CBR at the time present. I can say that the Yamaha is bigger, on paper it is only here and there a few centimeters but sitting on the Yamaha feels bigger. I also somehow feels more massive, this must be an illusion as the bike weights only about 5 kilo more then the CBR150.

Personally I agree with Dave_boo, the Yamaha is a very good alternative for the Honda CBR-150. If it was widely available in Thailand, and the price was somewhat more compatible with the Honda price. For the overall cost of the Yamaha, you come close to other options available in Thailand.

Interesting.

Adding a few centimeters here and there can make all the difference in the world as far as perception goes. The CBR is quite narrow, especially at the rear of the tank. Slightly enlarging that area would seem to have an effect as far as what your mind thinking the size being. Another issue that the CBR has that makes it feel light is, at least in my mind, quite a high center of gravity. Perhaps Yamaha has fixed that and moved more of the mass lower? That would make a bike less willing to tip, and thus feel more stable (and in actuality be more stable).

[LivinLOS]

As it doesnt have a thread of its own.. Found some FZ150 spy pics / real on road test pics..

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorbikes/3...008-launch.html

They are in that thread there.. Look good for the size and cost expected, tho again I think a full size farang may be a bit big based on guessed size of the indian riders. Looks a little light on the rear end too but what should I expect at 150cc. I am also guessing this will be a bit light on power, say 14 or 15hp.

Release date is still 'diwali' which is late Oct..

Edited August 7, 2008 by LivinLOS

[mgjackson69]

Wait for the naked version due at the end of the year . . .

That's the one, right there.

[mgjackson69]

Make mine black

[LivinLOS]

They look good from that angle.. Bit skinny when seen from the rear 3/4 IMO but as I said its a 150 not a big bike.

Wonder if theres and FZ250 on any drawing boards.. Something around 30hp and that 10% bigger would be ideal.

[nbgchau]

I'm living in Vietnam and I've searched for the Yamaha R15, but this version is only available in India, do you know whether I can book it in Thailand Market??

Many thanks,

They look good from that angle.. Bit skinny when seen from the rear 3/4 IMO but as I said its a 150 not a big bike.

Wonder if theres and FZ250 on any drawing boards.. Something around 30hp and that 10% bigger would be ideal.

[imaneggspurt]

The Ninja would be a good option....if it were sold by authorised dealers at competitive prices. I.E. closer to the CBR 150s price than a ER-6N. The 400 bikes that are in Thailand probably are the best option, especially from a price/performance standard. However, finding one that has an honest to Buddha straight book seems to be an exercise in frustration.

Any motorcycle sold by a dealer would have a "straight" book. Just like current models (sold here) Ducati Harley & Triumph.

"Real" books start at 40,000. PM if you need the name of a guy who will do it. It can take months start to finish.

Or in the case of Siam motorcycles in pattaya 18 months, why bother, i have grey books on both my bikes and paid 15-and 24000, done in 5 and 7 days,been to cambodia 7 times on them ,stopped numerous times and never had a problem, ive yet to hear from anyone ( apart from a mate of a mate etc ) that has had a probem,this is what the thais do and like prostitutes ,they were at it before we arrived,. when in rome i say,. . Edited September 26, 2008 by imaneggspurt

[imaneggspurt]

Kawasaki

Check out Ninja 250R. That's more like it.

Isn't the CBR 150 only 125 cc ? I ride CB400 superfour & she does great in traffic. I can go anywhere a CBR150 can go.

Good link. The KLX-250 converted to Super Moto could be the ultimate bike for Thailand so you could handle the single-track trails when you have to. (I do them on my CBR150 but it gets sketchy.) Didn't realize Kawasaki had these here.

You can buy it in SM trim, its caller a D tracker,.

[imaneggspurt]

Strange isnt it, there is 100.000 baht jump almost from 150 to 250 cc,...il bet kawasaki are producing that klx that was introduced first in 1993 for a round of drinks,. the thais arent that stupid,( as the bike was already made in thailand for export only) however it will have been given to them,..

[imaneggspurt]

Sure your not comparing the 125 Euro and the 150 ??

yes i compare with the Euro 125cc . . .looks amazing hot ! . . . hmm maybe can import it to thai...maybe to expensive i think

the 125 is also made in thailand, although for export only !

[imaneggspurt]

PeaceBlondie;

I've been really critical of a certain T.V. member for a lot of his postings. There's the old 'bash the CBR 150R every chance you get' along with the wild rumours. I've often requested links to (even) official-ish and none have been forthcoming.....and no I don't consider motorcycle.in.th a very reliable site.

I've actually found a Honda dealership with like 3 NSR 150R-SP and some older non-SP models. I've thought very hard about getting one and stuffing the motor in my CBR frame. Up in Nakhon Sawan it probably wouldn't be as big of an issue as down in proper civilisation and it would be loads of fun to have a sleeper 400 killer.

Are you talking 2nd hand ?,..."I've actually found a Honda dealership with like 3 NSR 150R-SP

""

[LivinLOS]

The Ninja would be a good option....if it were sold by authorised dealers at competitive prices. I.E. closer to the CBR 150s price than a ER-6N. The 400 bikes that are in Thailand probably are the best option, especially from a price/performance standard. However, finding one that has an honest to Buddha straight book seems to be an exercise in frustration.

Any motorcycle sold by a dealer would have a "straight" book. Just like current models (sold here) Ducati Harley & Triumph.

"Real" books start at 40,000. PM if you need the name of a guy who will do it. It can take months start to finish.

Or in the case of Siam motorcycles in pattaya 18 months, why bother, i have grey books on both my bikes and paid 15-and 24000, done in 5 and 7 days,been to cambodia 7 times on them ,stopped numerous times and never had a problem, ive yet to hear from anyone ( apart from a mate of a mate etc ) that has had a probem,this is what the thais do and like prostitutes ,they were at it before we arrived,. when in rome i say,. .

Depends on the quality of the grey book...

Down our way now if the bike does not exactly match the book, and by that it could also mean even if its the right model but obvious differences in model year through the course of the life of that model.. They can trip you up.. The days of having any book on any bike, wrong models even wrong manufacturers is coming to an end here at least.

I am not saying dont do it.. I also would advise at certain price levels to have a grey book but that the book must be EXACTLY the make, model and approx year... The renumbering, engine number swaps in book, and color all made spot on..

[imaneggspurt]

The Ninja would be a good option....if it were sold by authorised dealers at competitive prices. I.E. closer to the CBR 150s price than a ER-6N. The 400 bikes that are in Thailand probably are the best option, especially from a price/performance standard. However, finding one that has an honest to Buddha straight book seems to be an exercise in frustration.

Any motorcycle sold by a dealer would have a "straight" book. Just like current models (sold here) Ducati Harley & Triumph.

"Real" books start at 40,000. PM if you need the name of a guy who will do it. It can take months start to finish.

Or in the case of Siam motorcycles in pattaya 18 months, why bother, i have grey books on both my bikes and paid 15-and 24000, done in 5 and 7 days,been to cambodia 7 times on them ,stopped numerous times and never had a problem, ive yet to hear from anyone ( apart from a mate of a mate etc ) that has had a probem,this is what the thais do and like prostitutes ,they were at it before we arrived,. when in rome i say,. .

Depends on the quality of the grey book...

Down our way now if the bike does not exactly match the book, and by that it could also mean even if its the right model but obvious differences in model year through the course of the life of that model.. They can trip you up.. The days of having any book on any bike, wrong models even wrong manufacturers is coming to an end here at least.

I am not saying dont do it.. I also would advise at certain price levels to have a grey book but that the book must be EXACTLY the make, model and approx year... The renumbering, engine number swaps in book, and color all made spot on..

neiter of mine are correct in cc,...i can only speak for me ,but in 20 years and 100.000 kms +all over laos/cambodia/thailand i have never had a problem,.also done 17 enduros where 95 per cent of the bikes dont have plates and never seen anyone pulled,( i have sometimes been the only farang in the enduro ) actually i rode with a cop on one enduro with an xr600 that was riding in flip flops !, amazing,.it seems the hot spots are pattaya, phuket, and bangkok, but ive been to all 3 and again no problems, i do however keep to the darkside of sukomvit when in pattaya ,but in pattaya no matter what you ride you will get stopped anyway,. and i have to add in all those miles and years ive ridden here i have NEVER been asked for the book ,only at border crossings,......

[mickba]

I don't know what happened to this topic but I heard one had landed. Was it a special import or are they coming?

Oh, the YZF R15 I mean.