Race Track Action

This year the 2009 NRRC season is set to get faster and hotter for sure enthuses OverDrive (Dec. ’08), and the Honda CBR 150R aims to scorch Indian race tracks where other sizzlers are already jostling for attention.

Pocket rocket aptly describes the Honda CBR 150R. The bike has been styled for South Asian countries, and is tiny enough to feel almost moped-like says OverDrive (Dec. ’08). The potent 149.4cc mill though is very responsive and provides sprightly and smooth acceleration. The baby CBR’s single-cylinder power plant breathes through four valves, with double overhead camshafts governing the two intake and two exhaust valves. The output figures are impressive too, with 17.1PS of max power coming in at 10,500rpm and 13.06Mn of max torque at 8500rpm. No trick fuel injection here, the CBR 150R employs a vacuum type carburetor to take care of fuelling. The engine in true Honda style is smooth and revs happily all the way to 12,000rpm. Most impressive though was the strong rush of power from lower revs to the top, in spite of the engine producing max power at a high rpm says OverDrive (Dec. ’08). Honda claims the bike has the widest power-band in its segment.

The bike’s handling takes some getting used to though. The engine nestles within an ultra compact twin-spar frame that endows the bike with agile manners besides giving it a light but planted feel. The suspension too is quite sorted, telescopic forks up front and a rear monoshock handling undulations effectively. The bike is readily flickable and light to steer, reducing continuous corners and chicanes to a breeze. The bike however does not feel stable mid-corner.

The race bikes are shod with the same sticky MRF rubber that is standard on the Yamaha YZF-R15. The single disc brakes front and rear are pretty responsive and offer a progressive feel. And the only negative styling is the garish chrome-lined twin headlamps, which appear like aftermarket wares.

But before you start making plans, the bad news: the current batch of bikes that have been imported from Thailand are going to be used purely for racing and have been homologated too, but Honda does plan to rent out bikes for racing like TVS does and nurture talent…so keep heart.

Along with the CBR 150R for experts, Honda has also homologated its CBF Stunner for the benefit of novice riders. Honda plans to run this series throughout next year along with the Ucal Rolon National Road Racing Championship, offering full support to riders from all over the country at a nominal fee of Rs.500 a race weekend per bike.

But there’s more to look forward to this racing season says OverDrive (Dec. ’08). The stakes on the race track have gone up with the arrival of Yamaha’s YZF-R15 that had an outstanding debut and has been winning the stock Group D and modified Group B category races too. Plus the Apache RTR has been scorching race tracks and now with competition challenging its domain, the RTR has to up its ante to maintain its Group B winning streak.

So, all in all, we have an interesting racing season coming up…watch out for more action with OverDrive.