3 Things you MUST know about the Honda XR150
Updated 04/05/25
The Honda XR150L is a great little bike that is very well suited to Vietnam. She will get you where you want to go 90% of the time. If she won’t get you there, then perhaps reconsider if you really want to take that route :)
Here are 3 things that I tell all of our renters before they take an XR150 out on the road.
Contents
1. There is no Fuel Gauge
What! No fuel gauge! How do I know when I have run out of petrol?
ANSWER: The bike will stall and splutter and then you will stop, unless you are quick to turn your reserve tank on.
There is a fuel lock/filter/reserve switch is located on the left side of the bike in line with your thigh. This has 3 settings:
UP is for main tank and gives you around 10 litres of fuel.
HORIZONTAL is the locked position and once the carburettor is empty the bike will not run anymore.
DOWN is for the reserve tank and will give you around 2 litres of fuel. More than enough to get to the next fill up point in Vietnam.
Under normal use, you will drive the bike with the fuel lock switched to the UP position. Most times you will be fine and not run out of fuel. You just keep filling up.
If you find the bike starts to stall and splutter as you are riding and then dies, you should turn the fuel lock to the DOWN position. Wait a moment for the carburettor to fill and then start the bike. You are now on RESERVE tank and have around 2 litres. Honda says this will get you 72km, but I would find fuel asap, if I were you.
It is better to belooking at it, than for it. Is what I always say.
Attention!!
Your next task is to find fuel as soon as you can. Then, fill up. However, make sure that you flip the Fuel Lock back to UP. If you do not do this and then run out of petrol you will be in trouble as you really will have run out.
2. Be Careful with the Key/Petrol Cap
The last thing we need is a key that is broken or stuck in the petrol cap.
Similar to many, but not all, motorbikes, the lock on the fuel cap of the Honda XR150 is spring loaded. You may be familiar with this kind of spring loaded lock.
You need to be careful not to twist the key when you are closing the fuel cap. The key will spin on its own and you will be able to pull it vertically UP to get it out of the cap.
If you try to twist the key, it will not move. And, if you try too hard, you will break the key and a whole world of pain ensues.
Simply align the two arrows on the cap and the fuel tank and then press the fuel cap down. DO NOT TOUCH THE KEY. It will spin and then release.
Honda XR 150 Motorcycle Rental
Ready for adventure? The Honda XR150 is your perfect companion for rugged backroads, mountain passes, and open highways.
✅ Lightweight, reliable, and fuel-efficient
✅ Comfortable for long rides and multi-day tours
✅ Trusted by riders across Vietnam for the legendary Ha Giang Loop
3. Learn to Use the Choke
Buried deep in the heart of the machine is the carburettor and this has a choke lever. The purpose of this is to increase the amount of fuel that flows into the engine in order to make it easier to start. This is most commonly used on a cold day in the morning.
If you try to start the bike in the way that I show you in ‘3 ways to start a Honda XR150’, but you fail, it may be because the engine is too cold. So, use the choke.
Where is the Choke Lever?
You need to reach into the heart of the machine and lift the choke lever. Begin from the left side of the bike and look under the fuel tank and past the fuel lock. There is a large space and you will see the carburettor and the black choke lever.
The choke lever has three settings and it is usually best to move it up to the highest setting to begin with. You should also put the bike in neutral when using the choke as it removes one layer of difficulty.
Then, you simply start the engine using the electric start. Do not use any gas or you may ‘flood’ the engine. This means that there is too much fuel and not enough oxygen for combustion.
Once the engine is running you can slowly and gently increase the revs (gas) a little as this will help the engine warm. If the bike will sit at idle with the choke on full, you should try to move the choke lever down to the 1st setting.
Ideally, you wish to turn the choke OFF altogether as quickly as possible, because it uses a LOT of fuel. It will also have poor acceleration, if the mixture is too rich once you are driving.
Once the engine idles without any choke, you are good to go.
Note: Do not drive away with the choke on as you will find the bike will not run well and there will be a lack of acceleration. This could get you into trouble with other vehicles.
FAQ
Does the Honda XR150 have a fuel guage?
No. It does not have a fuel guage. You need to be aware of how much fuel you have. Luckily, there is a reserve tank and when used correctly it allows you enough fuel to get to the nearest filling station, or further.
How far will a Honda XR150 go on the reserve fuel tank?
Quite far. We estimate that you should be able to get at least 50km out of the 2 litres of fuel inthe reserve. However, we suggest that you fill up as soon as you can.
Is the Honda XR150 suitable for Vietnam?
Yes! Very much so. We consider this to be the best on market and almost the ideal bike for general motorbike touring and travelling throughout Vietnam.
How much does it cost to rent a Honda XR150?
These are priced at 20usd per day. However, if you take advantage of our discounts for longer term rentals, you can get the cost down to around 12-13usd per day quite easily. This is a very good value bike.
Is the Honda XR150 comfortable for two people?
Tricky. The answer is yes and no. If you have two small people and a small luggage, you will probably find the XR150 to be quite comfortable and be able to drive reasonable distances. If you are larger and have more luggage, you will find she is quite cramped and also that there is not enough power for highway or mountain driving. This can be quite dangerous. Be careful.
The Things you Need to Know
These are the main 3 things that I tell people when they pick up the Honda XR150 as I think they are ‘need to know’ information. However, I also tell people a lot of different other things which all depend on where they are going, what they want to do etc…
We are happy to share our tips and experience, so get in touch.
