Honda CRF150R

The Honda CRF150R’s design strikes a balance between ruggedness and subtle confidence. It still looks dominant and capable despite being the little sibling in the CRF-R lineup. It features sharp-looking front and back ends, which show you that it means business on the track. It also flaunts the CRF-R lineup’s signature golden-coloured Upside Down Forks at the front, while an aluminum muffler at the back.  

Meanwhile, bright-coloured branding decals give this motorcycle a youthful and sporty side profile. Additionally, a pair of slightly-tilted side panels also add more detail to its overall silhouette. This off-road motorcycle is quite roomy and has a supportive seat. That said, the average Filipino rider won’t struggle to get a good riding position on this bike. It runs on a 19-inch wheel at the front and a 16-inch wheel at the rear.

In terms of dimensions, the Honda CRF150R measures 1,900 mm in length, 770 mm in width, 1,171 mm in overall height, and 866 mm in seat height. This non-street legal bike also comes with a wheelbase of 1,285 mm and an outstanding ground clearance of 336 mm, which enhances its off-road prowess.

In terms of suspension, the Honda CRF150R utilizes a combination of 37-mm Fully-Adjustable, Leading-Axle, Inverted Conventional Showa Cartridge Forks (with 27.4-cm of travel) at the front and a Pro-Link, Fully-Adjustable Showa single shock (with 27.1-cm of travel) at the rear.

On the track, it is significantly lighter than its higher-displacement siblings. Yet, it remains durable and very stable even on unpleasant rocky or muddy trails. It can also turn or hit corners quite well. Its suspension offers a right balance of stiffness and softness. Overall, its well-tuned chassis partnered with a favorable seat height allow this bike to deliver a supple and pleasant riding experience among the average Filipino rider.

The Honda CRF150R is powered by a 150-cc liquid-cooled, 4-valve, 4-stroke, unicam single-cylinder engine that has a maximum power output of 23.8 hp and a maximum torque of 14.1 Nm. This non-street legal bike comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission gearbox. It comes with a 4.3-L fuel tank capacity, which is a bit limited if you are planning to take on longer-distance off-road trails or dirt tracks.

On the plus side, for a 150-cc motorcycle, the CRF150R has sufficient power and torque to allow it to effectively take on steep inclines and light hill climbs. It is smooth and revvy but remains non-intimidating on the dirt track. And, thanks to Honda’s Unicam architecture, the rider will be able to achieve optimal power and torque distribution on this off-road motorcycle. 

The Honda CRF150R utilizes discs for both front and rear braking (front: 220 mm, rear: 190 mm). Its disc brake setup allows this off-road motorcycle to achieve a very responsive and grippy stopping power. Consequently, this ensures a high level of safety for the rider even when braving through rocky and muddy off-road trails (despite not having other advanced features).

For inexperienced dirt track competitors and younger off-road enthusiasts, the Honda CRF150R stands out as a very compelling option. It delivers exceptional handling and off-road prowess for its class, while remaining fun and rideable towards all kinds of riders. It is truly a contender within its segment.