Competing with the Honda CRF150L and Yamaha WR155R for performance, which is better?

The advent of the Honda CRF150L (2017) and Yamaha WR155R (2019) has made the Indonesian 150 cc off-road vehicle market increasingly crowded. Prior to the existence of these two motorcycles, this adventurous space was only filled by the flagship models of the Kawasaki KLX 150 and local manufacturers Viar and the Cross X 150. So, how do the Honda CRF150L and Yamaha WR155R ride and perform? Can you compete with the older players? Here are the comments.

1. The design

In general, the CRF150L and WR155R are the same in design as most SUVs. The CRF150L we tested was a combination of red and white with some black stripes. The most eye-catching, of course, is the front suspension, which has been fitted with a gold inverted style. The WR155R we tested appeared in the winning color "blue." The construction quality of this motorcycle is very solid, using a thick plastic material. The front suspension of the WR155R still has a telescope view, so the front suspension is still less muscular than the CRF150L. One interesting thing about the WR155R is that the exhaust cylinder is located on the left.

2. Riding position

Before checking the drive position of the two motors, it is necessary to know the dimensions. On paper, the CRF150L has a length x width x height of 2119 x 793 x 1153 mm, a seat height of 869 mm, a minimum distance from the ground of 285 mm, and a weight of 122 kg. The WR155R is a L x W x H 2145 x 840 x 1200mm, has a seat height of 880mm, a minimum distance from the ground of 245mm, and weighs 134kg.

Like adventurous motorcycles, these two Japanese-made bikes have striking riding poses that force their riders to stand upright with their hands outstretched. Drivers in command positions have a wider range of eyes, which makes them useful when stuck in traffic or trying to overtake others.

At 165 cm tall and weighing 74 kg, the tester still sits comfortably on the CRF150L. This means the feet are still flatter on the asphalt surface. When I switched to the WR155R, the bike felt really tall and heavy, and the handlebars were longer, so the hands were wider. However, by setting the rear shock absorber preload low, the WR155R's riding position can be tricked (the user "toes").

3.Characteristics

As a recent challenger, the WR155R has several features that outweigh the size of the adventure motorcycle. For example, on the instrument panel, the odometer indicator, the schedule, the average fuel consumption, the gearbox indicator, the clock and the gear are more useful. Meanwhile, the CRF150L dashboard's speedometer, travel meter and fuel status look simpler. On the engine side, the WR155R features VVA (variable valve actuation) functionality and a more advanced radiator cooling system. The CRF150L performs well in the front suspension field, where the front suspension field is upside down.

4. Performance and handling

The Honda CRF150L is equipped with a 149 cc SOHC single-cylinder pacemaker that produces a maximum power of 9.51 kW at 8,000 RPM and a peak torque of 12.43 Nm at 6,500 RPM. The Yamaha WR155R is powered by a 155 cc SOHC single-cylinder four-valve engine that produces a maximum power of 12.3 kW at 10,000 RPM and a maximum torque of 14.3 Nm at 6,500 RPM.

When we tried to drive the CRF150L for daily activities, the performance of the machine was adequate, but not exceptional. Also, the gearbox is only five speed, so you don't breathe too much. One of the things that caught our attention was the vibration the handlebars felt when the motorcycle started at 80 km/h or more. There are no special considerations in the area of shock absorption, and the upside-down front suspension and CRF150L single post-shock suspension are soft enough to move the earth over asphalt. If anything is missing, the rear suspension has a preload setting option.

Switch to the "cockpit" of the WR155R and, despite its height and weight, it has excellent engine performance. The WR155R offers excellent acceleration because it is supported by VVA (variable valve actuation) technology that maintains optimal power within each engine rotation range, especially when the gearbox is at 6 speed and therefore breathing time is longer. The motorbike has a tendency to stagnate when facing the capital's streets, and is therefore more alert. Surprisingly, the front suspension and rear suspension WR155 are well suited to bulldozers on the damaged and uneven roads of Jakarta. The resulting vibrations also felt minimal.

5. Price

The Honda CRF150L is available in three color options: Ultra Red, Ultra Black and Ultra Grey. The price of this motorcycle is RP. 34.45 million vehicles were driven on DKI Jakarta roads. The Yamaha WR155 costs RP. Online bookings DKI Jakarta, with 36.9 million online bookings, is available in blue and black. More information in harga honda crf.

6. Conclusion

The Honda CRF150L and Yamaha WR155R are probably the best choices for novice consumers who want to transfer their lessons to the off-road vehicle field. For potential consumers with a less contoured body, they can choose the CRF150L, which is more friendly for everyday use. The motorcycle is also more rugged in extreme terrain because of its simpler engine construction. However, if you have a bigger budget and want to experience the latest technology on a 150 cc off-road bike, then the WR155 is the right choice. The price difference between the WR155 and the CRF150L is RP.2,450,000, offering VVA technology, greater engine capacity and superior performance.