The Honda XR150 is a dual sport motorcycle that is an average all rounder and some complain that she is nothing special. Reviews note that it lacks modern electronics, is underpowered and has inadequate suspension for anything but the smoothest roads.
We feel that the Honda XR150 IS a great all round bike for most riders’ trip to Vietnam, however, yes it could be improved and you can see what we like to do in our 7 Superb Mods for the Honda XR150 to the bike blog post.
10 Things we Hate about the Honda XR150
1. Lacks modern features like ABS, or Rider-Aid Electronics
This bike is bog standard simple. There is very little info on the dash other than the basic info on speedo, odo, indicators, neutral and full beam. There isn’t even a fuel gauge. This is all well and good as it keeps things simple. For more experienced or perhaps older riders who might be more used to this kind of simplicity it isn’t such a problem. However, for riders that entered into the sport with all the bells and whistles it can be a little disarming to have to deal with such a lack of information or control assistance such as ABS, for example.
2. Front brake is powerful but unpredictable
There is a sturdy 240mm dual piston front disc brake which will pull you up hard and fast. All good, no? Well, the front brake can bite a little too hard, unexpectedly which we put down to low quality components on the caliper and the front shocks. This could be difficult to manage for a beginner rider but a more seasoned one would be able to deal with this with relative ease.
3. Suspension is only adequate for 90% of on-road travel
The XR150 looks to be designed very much for gentle use in all areas and there is nothing extreme about it at all. The front and rear shocks are definitely an upgrade when compared with the small road bikes that are available. However, if you take the bike on a more adventurous trip you will soon find that there is not enough suspension and you will be in for a rough ride. This would be a good reason to upgrade to the CRF250/300 for a smoother ride.
4. Limited Power
There is no getting around the 12BHP that is available from the Honda XR150. This is enough for poodling along both on and off road but it will not give you enough power to take on larger vehicles on larger roads or steeper climbs on tricky tracks. This limits you to a more relaxed and definitely defensive style of riding.
5. Bars can be too low for the standing position for some
The height difference between the seat and the handlebars and the footpegs and the handlebars means that you often feel hunched over when riding. Even an average height rider will feel this on a long trip and it can lead to fatigue. The solution is to use risers but this only gives an inch or so.
6. Footpegs are inadequate too small for how wide the seat is
Considering the styling of the bike suggests that it is to be ridden in the dirt the footpegs do not seem to be very well up to task. Generally, they are a little too small and feet can easily slip off, especially when boots are being worn. The rubber on the footpegs can also be very slippery and when combined with the small size it can be hard to keep the feet on. Swapping the pegs for a more grippy metal set is a good modification if you plan to get into the dirt.
7. Reaching highway speed is a struggle
This is largely down to the lack of power and something that is hard to remedy with a 150cc bike. If you are planning on hitting the highway you need to be aware of the lack of power throughout the range and drive accordingly. This means you will need to be more defensive and understand that there is very little left in the tank to drive yourself out of a situation.
8. The stock tires are more street-oriented
This is something that is very quickly fixed but comes at a cost. If you are going to be mostly on the dirt right from the get go, then you will probably want to change out the smooth road style tyres that are standard.
9. Rear shock too soft
For the average rider, and their luggage on the bike you will find that the rear suspension has a hard time. This is why we suggest you do not overload the bike. If you are going to take a pillion, the problem is only compounded. We shorten the rear mudflap and raise the registration plate to prevent it getting caught in the rear tyre and falling off.
10. Lack of low down grunt
Again, a general issue of a lack of power. However, this lack of torque means that it can be tricky to conquer the steep, slippery climbs that you might find in the rural areas of Vietnam. Keeping the bike with the standard tyres will also add to this problem and you find that road trips through the mountains of Vietnam can become a little more difficult. Once more, you need to drive defensively, not overload the bike and make sure you are alert for other road users who might not be driving correctly.
Overall
Do not misunderstand. We love the Honda XR150 and think it is possibly the best bike for touring Vietnam as a solo rider. As with anything there are compromises to be made and considerations to be taken. This is why we modify the bikes that we rent out and tour on. You can see how we try to do that in our blog 7 superb mods for the Honda XR150. We try to eliminate as many of these issues as possible and make the bike better for use. You
