In the last couple of years, the Indian market of two wheelers has seen an upward growth in terms of both sales numbers as well as maturity. Talking about the latter aspect, the urban Indian buyer is gradually beginning to think beyond the sole factor of fuel efficiency, as he wants something more from his machine – factors like comfort, features, added power and a bit more muscle in the machine he rides. For all these factors, it is the segment of 150cc commuters which, in these days, is serving them in the most apt way. This particular category of motorcycles may not serve the fuel economy of a 100/110/125cc motorcycle, but then, it surely gives the consumer a feel of riding a bigger motorcycle, without sacrificing much on his pocket.
On closely inspecting this segment, we do find that the motorcycles of the higher and premium end of this segment, which comprises of motorcycles like the CB Hornet 160R, Yamaha FZ-S FI and Suzuki Gixxer, are now churning up impressive numbers. But then, it is the lower end of the segment which is forming up the biggest chunk of this segment, as far as volume is concerned. The oldest player of this field, Honda CB Unicorn, continues to impress its target audience with its no-nonsense approach towards design, strengthened by its robust build quality, refinement and the credit of introduction of the technology of rear monoshock in the Indian market. Yamaha also opened its cards by launching the SZ-RR Version 2.0 below the FZ range, which serves as its most affordable 150cc offering. And then, to cater to the reducing customer interest in Pulsar, Bajaj tried to retain its potential customers with the all new V15, a motorcycle which is quite unique to this entry-level 150cc segment, thanks to its individualistic design and the fact that it contains the metal of the very famous INS Vikrant.
After all the action from its arch rivals in the budget segments, how can Hero be so silent? Just recently, Hero revamped its most affordable 150cc offering for the Indian market, the Achiever, with an all new design and retuned powertrain, which makes it feel like an all new motorcycle. In this story, we are going to compare all these four motorcycles which form the lower end of the 150cc segment, to find out which one fits the tag of the segment leader in actual sense.
STYLING
All these four motorcycles are designed to look as an upgrade over your usual 110-125cc commuters, but then, they do possess a sense of sportiness, which justifies their premium positioning over the lower positioned smaller capacity motorcycles. Though these motorcycles have a dated design when compared to the top of the line premium 150s, they still command attention, if not so much.
Starting off with the newest motorcycle here, the new Achiever, with which Hero is desperately trying to make its mark in the 150cc segment now. Hero has tried to infuse as much modernity in the Achiever as it could, which looks good from the segment. It now looks beefier than before, all thanks to the bigger fuel tank and chunky rear section, which now has more characteristic bulges than before. However, the front face looks a bit weird, but then, a couple of interesting features like auto headlamps and Hero's patented i3S (idle start stop system) make up for it. The instrument console too is uniquely designed, and it has everything which an entry level 150cc motorcycle could get.
The Bajaj V15 tries to bring some fresh lease of life in this category by having a cross design of a naked commuter and a café racer. The motorcycle looks a bit petite as compared to the other motorcycles in its comparison, but then each and every body panel, starting from the headlamp fairing, fuel tank as well as the optional rear seat cowl look really different from the other three motorcycles here. It misses out on fancy features like backlit switchgear and digital meters, but then the café racer inspired design and the rear profile with LED tail lamp makes the V15 stand apart from the usual sea of commuters. The motorcycle looks classy in flesh, however, Bajaj's decision to make it a ‘no-frills' motorcycle (the only motorcycle here to not feature a tachometer too) reduces some of its appeal.
The same can be said about the Honda CB Unicorn as well, as it looks plain jane and dated. The motorcycle has ditched the body decals, and now comes with a monotone appeal with tweaked body panels, but then, it too looks very old in the segment. Like the V15, the CB Unicorn doesn't come with fancy feature as well – it goes well with the fully analog instrument console, no engine kill switch, no LED tail lamp and no other modern features. Though, the saving grace is that it is the only motorcycle in this comparison to have a rear monoshock – a big thumbs-up for that.
The Yamaha SZ-RR Version 2.0 may be the most affordable 150cc motorcycle from Yamaha, but it doesn't look cheap and as dated as other offerings in this segment. It has a smart design and impressive build, and while it may not have the muscle of the other three motorcycles, it has a sharp design which is instantly likeable. It may not have a long list of features (though it is the only bike here with engine kill switch and rear split pillion grab rails), but the nicely designed body panels and analog instrument console and the presence of essentials like engine kill switch, alloy wheels and front disc brake justifies its price tag as well.
All in all, if we had to pick up a motorcycle based on design and features, it definitely has to be the Yamaha SZ-RR, which looks the most modern and feature packed of the lot. The V15 too manages to impress with its unique stance. The new Achiever is styled more comprehensively than before, though it could have been better. The CB Unicorn, in our honest opinion, will appeal only to a certain mature audience, if design is the only concern.
Bajaj V15
Honda CB Unicorn
Yamaha SZ-RR Version 2.0
Hero Achiever
Tachometer
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Front pilot lamps
Yes
No
No
No
LED tail lamp
Yes
No
No
No
Auto headlamps
No
No
No
Yes
Gas charged rear suspension
Yes
No
No
No
Rear monoshock
No
Yes
No
No
Alloy wheels
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Electric start
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
I3S techonology
No
No
No
Yes
Engine kill switch
No
No
Yes
No
POWERTRAIN
All these four motorcycles are meant to give an upgrade over 125cc motorcycles not only in terms of looks and features, but also in terms of additional performance as well. While these four motorcycles may not give you the sense of power as the more premium 150cc offering positioned above them, they do have suitable amount of zest in them.
Apart from the basic styling, Hero has also tuned up the engine of the Achiever comprehensively. Though Hero has retained the single cylinder, air cooled, 149.2cc engine which has been shared with the CB Unicorn, but thanks to the minimal tweaks, the engine is now BSIV compliant and churns out a maximum power of 13.2 PS and a maximum torque output of 12.8 Nm. Adding to it, the i3S technology, like on some of Hero's other motorcycles, works practically in saving up fuel as well, making it the most fuel efficient motorcycle of the lot.
The Bajaj V15 may have a truly unique design to bank upon, but under the skin, it has the least performing engine, at least the specifications on paper say so. Powering the Bajaj V15 is an all new single cylinder, air cooled, 149.5cc DTS-i engine, which produces mere 12 PS of power and 13 Nm of torque. The engine may feel a bit underpowered on paper, but it has got a good healthy mid range which is good enough to perform your daily city duties.
When it comes to refinement, the Honda CB Unicorn simply is ahead of all the three. The single cylinder, air cooled, 149.1cc engine may not be high on power – it produces a decent 13.3 PS of power and 12.84 Nm of torque – it feels refined throughout the rev range, with minimal vibrations in higher revs. Adding to it, the midrange is strong enough to make it a suitable ride for city commutes as well.
The Yamaha SZ-RR Version 2.0 may have the biggest engine capacity-wise, but then, the numbers are the lowest. The single cylinder, air cooled, 153cc engine of the SZ-RR pumps out a rather low 12.1 PS of power and 12.8 Nm of torque. This translates to the fact that the SZ-RR may not be as quick sprinter as the other three. But then, the high torque output suggests that it will never fall short on pulling power, with a strong midrange and low end grunt in its favor. Also, the engine, in a typical Yamaha fashion, is smooth and refined, and sounds the best.
So, it is almost clear that when it comes to the perfect combination of performance, fuel efficiency and refinement, the Achiever simply pips out others with its very impressive power delivery. The CB Unicorn 150 feel the most refined, while the V15 as well as SZ-RR Version 2.0 are a bit underpowered when compared to the other two, and are strict city commuters.
Figures
Bajaj V15
Honda CB Unicorn
Yamaha SZ-RR Version 2.0
Hero Achiever
Power
12 PS
13.3 PS
12.1 PS
13.5 PS
Torque
13 Nm
12.84 Nm
12.8 Nm
12.8 Nm
RIDE AND HANDLING
All these four motorcycles are engineered to impart to the rider a more comfortable ride for their daily routines, without sacrificing on the fun factor – something which all these four motorcycles manage quite well.
Like its overall design, the mechanicals of the Hero achiever too are quite simple, with a set of conventional telescopic hydraulic forks at the front and gas charged coil springs at the rear, but here, the ride quality feels a bit plusher than the previous Achiever due to better weight distribution.
The Bajaj V15 comes with a set of conventional telescopic hydraulic forks at the front and gas charged coil springs at the rear, which have been tuned to impart a perfect balance of both outright sporty riding and daily commuting.
The Honda CB Unicorn too comes with telescopic hydraulic forks at the front, but then, as said before, it is the only motorcycle in this comparison to have a hydraulic monoshock at the rear. There is no denying to the fact that a monoshock is more superior to conventional coil springs, when it comes to both ride comfort and riding dynamics, which is the reason why the Unicorn is at home when ridden on both corners as well as straight stretches with potholes.
The Yamaha SZ-RR comes with the most conventional and simplistic suspension setup of telescopic hydraulic forks at the front and twin hydraulic coil springs at the rear. But then, it scores full marks too, when it comes to ride comfort. Let us remind you, the SZ-RR is the bike here with the lowest kerb weight – almost 11-12 kgs lighter than the other three bikes, which makes it maneuvering a bit easier in comparison to the rest of the bikes here.
All the four bikes here come with a braking setup of 240mm disc at the front and a 130mm drum at the rear. In this particular aspect of riding dynamics and braking, all the four motorcycles match each other very closely, and it is hard to pick the best among them.
Traits
Bajaj Pulsar 150
Honda CB Unicorn
Yamaha SZ-RR Version 2.0
Hero Achiever
Front suspension
Telescopic
Telescopic
Telescopic
Telescopic
Rear suspension
Gas charged hydraulic coil springs
Hydraulic monoshock
Hydraulic coil springs
Hydraulic coil springs
Front brake
240mm disc
240mm disc
240mm disc
240mm disc/130mm drum
Rear brake
130mm drum
130mm drum
130mm drum
130mm drum
CONCLUSION
When it comes to performing daily basic duties, all these four motorcycles fare really well, making them very practical motorcycles which have a good blend of performance as well as fuel efficiency.
But when compared, the CB Unicorn 150 ends up being the tail ender. It has some really appreciable strengths up in its sleeve, like tank like build quality, almost vibe free engine and possibly the best ride quality here, but then, it feels like a decade old motorcycle (which it actually is!), which now needs a substantial upgrade, and a much better one, off course
Rounding up at number three is the Bajaj V15. The motorcycle really looks smart with its slightly different stance, which gives one an experience of the design of a café racer, stance of a naked commuter and ergonomics of a cruiser, which makes it a unique proposition. However, unlike most of the Bajaj motorcycles, it lacks on features, it has the least powerful engine and the build quality, while brilliant by Bajaj standards, is still not on par with the other three motorcycles here.
At number two is the Yamaha SZ-RR. Yes, it misses out on the visual mass and outright power when compared to the other three motorcycles here. But then, being the newest motorcycle here, it does have an advantage in the styling department, with the motorcycle having a handsome design and impressive build quality. The engine, despite falling short on power, is rich in torque, which makes it an enjoyable ride. And then, being a Yamaha, it is a decent motorcycle too, when it comes to ride and handling.
Hero has given its best shot of improvising the slowly dying Achiever, an attempt at which, if you ask us, it has been successful as well. The motorcycle may not look as if it designed to kill, but then, it looks smart enough with its simplicity. The engine is easily the best of the lot, with the added essence of i3S tech on board, making it quite fuel efficient as well. And then, the ride quality of the motorcycle is very much likeable. In short, the new Achiever fulfils all the requirements of an average buyer of this segment, that too with the least asking price among the four, thus making it the most value for money motorcycle and our pick as the number one of this comparison.