They're calling it an "XR" but is it more of... a scooter? Let's review the specs and pictures of this thing and see what Honda has delivered in the new XR150L
@@TortureTestMagazine these have been available in Vietnam for years. They are a Chinese made bike with a Honda logo. They are ok for ADV riding in Vietnam. I used to use mine offroad and took it up some decent monster hill climbs. Vids on my channel around 2019.some people upgrade them to 200cc
@@TortureTestMagazine hope one of them ends up in your hands, to have it's limits tested.. For future owners knowledge. Just kidding, thrash that joke of a dirt bike on some endurance race.
@@TortureTestMagazinewhat are those newest carb brands tht atomise better? Get one of those.. even better fuel economy, crazy if you lean the shit out of it.
This is a popular rental bike in Vietnam for long distance multiday tours. I just rode one from Saigon to Hanoi over three weeks along all the back roads. It is very well suited to the task as roads can be rough, narrow and slow so a small light not very powerful bike is ideal. It is surprisingly comfortable and very reliable.
It's also one of only three or four different models offered in the segment in Colombia. Most people can't afford to spend more money on a motorcycle in countries like that, and it totally does the job as a means of everyday transportation.
@@mf8236 I can imagine. It is one of my ambitions to go to Colombia and do some motorcycle touring and I can imagine an XR150 would work well. I think you can get similar bikes with slightly larger engines around 170cc if I remember correctly, imported from Brazil.
@@person.X.I do know Honda has a 190 dual sport sold in Mexico, probably exists in Colombia too. The Suzuki dr200s bikes are plentiful in Latin America too. Maybe you can get a xt225 or 250 used for a good price.
@@Rocketman0407 I live in Australia and these little bikes are not road legal because of emissions and safety legislation so are unavailable. Also this is more of a big bike place because of the huge distances. I have considered buying one of these bikes in Colombia and going on a big road trip around South America though 😃
I live in Vietnam, we've been using that Xr150 here for years. It's finally being sold in the west. It's a bit of an undepowered slug, but useful for most purposes. It's called "the light adventure bike of Vietnam."
@@rodrigosanchez1559 How much do they cost over there? And does it seem like its worth the price? It feels like it's over priced here in Canada where they are soon to be released. But everything is over priced here.
@@40mmmikemike roughly 2500 usd new here in Mexico. The used market for japanese dualsports is so bad here. Rusty old xr250s from mid 2000s go for 2500 and a dr200 roughly the same. Best bet is actually to get a bike with a blown engine and fix it yourself or have a mechanic do it since mechanics are very cheap here. Like 25 usd to change a piston and cylinder for the labor.
@@40mmmikemike it's worth the price. and it does what it's made for because it's a budget friendly, affordable price here in the Philippines. it's just 150cc engine so don't expect for more. but very durable and reliable bike for adventure and daily use
This bike was sold in India way back around 2012- 2013 as the Impulse by Hero Motocorp. It's still used in motocross/rally raid events because proper dirt bikes are very expensive here in India. People here swap out the engine with the 230 engine and do all sorts of upgrades to make it race worthy. This thing is super reliable and cheap af and no there is no rear suspension linkage.
I thought the era of cheap brand-name bikes was over, so I was really surprised to see this. I think you are too harsh Gabe, of course it's made to be cheap, it won't be great, but I'm sure it'll bring a lot of new riders into the hobby,
this bike has been sold here in south america for many years, mostly used nowadays to commute or by delivery people, engine is solid, ive seen them used with over 60,000km running no problem but i would not market it as an offroad bike, its a city bike with more suspension travel
I am happy to see this available in the US. I live in Mexico and I have a practically stock NXR 150cc 08´ its like the old version of this, made in Brazil it's a great bike, I have done lots of gnarly stuff off-road and it has never given up on me so its extremely reliable, nevertheless this newer version (XR) that you guys just got, we've had for a while now, with the rally version, 190cc version and the 150L version available which are totally more for street than its older brother the NXR as Ive ridden along with people that own the XR and even though its the same motor and basically the same bike I have yet to see anybody be able to whip them like Im able to do mine, they feel lower on torque and a little more robust which makes maneuverability in tight corners and skips over things just feel harder. An example of the situations Ive seen, was riding alongside a 2020 XR 150 which started having major issues with heating up more than usual and a very sticked together clutch after cluthing and uncluthing through a hard terrain, mine also heated up and seemed a little hesitant on the clutch but mine went back to feeling normal after about 10 minutes, while his kept on "feeling off" until like the next day but I´d still recommend buying it, especially if its more for commuting purposes rather than off-roading since it does seem to have a bit of a faster top speed, but ultimately, no, its not a chinese bike that will break instantly like hes saying.
Looks like they pulled it straight out of the 1980’s warehouse. Analog display and carbureted with steel everything. Convert a bunch of these parts to aluminum and shed 50lbs then the power to weight ratio gets almost reasonable. Looks like a good learner bike for my 14 year old daughter.
That bike is a Brazilian bike, its called Bros 150 and we haver this model since 2002. The engine is the same as de most sold bike here in Brazil the cg 150. Its a light trail bike developed for city use
We have had the XR125 which looks the same in the UK for ages, it uses the push rod CG125 engine which has amazing longevity! At least the 150 you are getting has the OHC engine!
@@trevorjameson3213 Yes the CG is an amazing engine. Huge main and big end bearings, designed to last for ever with minimal maintainence. I have one that is making 21 bhp, over bored to 66.5mm (172cc) with a cam and bigger valves!
@@marcofelipelopes3081 it was a lot of work to achieve that power. I have the crf150 keihin fcr32 carb as well and the bike has recorded 94 mph on a standing start mile at an acu records event.
I had the XR 150 and the XR 190 (fuel injected version) in Ecuador and Colombia (SA) they are more fun and capable than you could believe! Pretty indestructible, they use not gas ⛽
Just picked up a new one a week ago as an economical off grid transportation in Arizona desert and so far it's been Fantastic. Definitely Not a hard core off road adventure bike but great for cruising light dirt, gravel and rocky roads at slower speeds. I am 190 lbs and easily cruising 55 mph on black top with push to get to 60. Starts up on first crank everytime, Honda reliability, looks and sounds great. Overall, for a light, small dual sport that's economical but not really made for hard core riding, this is a great choice, especially for beginners.
I rented one of these in Mexico. The build quality didn't seem to be too lacking compared to the 230L models available in 2008 and 2009, but I didn't really notice the steel vs aluminum rims and other steel parts. Definitely night and day difference from the Italika bikes. I'm sure a PWK carb and some weight reduction mods would make it a bit more responsive and generally more fun. I'm blown away these would be released in the US. I didn't think we'd ever see street legal carbed bikes again. I've also rented the XR250 Tornado in Mexico which is basically a street-legal , e-start XR250 that would be fantastic with a carb and some weight reduction. I think it's around 290 wet.
I moved to Mexico. The used market for dualsports are horrible if you want Japanese stuff. Scarce and expensive. I was however able to pick up a dr200 from 2010 for around 800 with a blown topend. Got gabes book and installed PWK Carb, high flow exhaust, pod filter. I then geared it down like crazy to 13t and got a 232cc custom piston installed. I do consider getting one of those 250 Tornadoes used and tuning them for better performance. You think the 250 will give me a significant power difference if tuned compared to the dr200/232 in my case?
@@ceaseanddesist8036 The Tornado I rented was bone-stock so I don't have real data to pull from, but I've modded 5 dual sports in the past and feel I can get a good idea of where performance can be improved. If you're looking for better mid-top end power to cruise in the 50-70mph zone, I think the Tornado would be a good upgrade, but I would imagine your built up 200 has better torque. If I had to choose between my built up 230F and a built up Tornado, I'd go for the 230 for the lighter weight and more nimble feel. I hope this info helps your decision.
@@daddister7471 thanks. I consider selling my cruiser and keep the dr and get one more dualsport. Would be nice to do highway at a reasonable pace, I would like to cross Mexico with it. Think the Tornado with a modest Big Bore and some tuning should work good then.
Nice vid hehe, that brazilian made XR150L has been around for at least a decade now in many other markets, I’d love to see you make a video on your impressions on another brazilian built Honda, like the XR250 “Tornado” a classic and very well loved bike from Mexico to Argentina. Greetings from Peru 🇵🇪 🙌🏻
I suggest you drive one for yourself. This bike has been around in Asian and Latin American countries since 2015. It's not comparable to a YZ450 or a 250 but it sure is a lot of fun. I have a 2015 model. Overtime, I've made some modes like handlebars and handguards, slapped shinko 705s on 18/21 rims, upgraded all to led lights and installed a loudhorn, changed chainset to 520 and sprockets to 13T front, 40T rear, some tweaks on the engine and CDI. Used it for weekend rides on highways wqs able to reach 80mph but went on a cruising speed of 50mph. It is offroad capable (but not motocross). It faired better on trails and river crossings than those heavy GS1250s honestly since it's lighter. It's a raw bike. Actuslly, a bugout bike. No frills but gets the job done as a survival gear.
We have the FI version, a crf150L a cousin of mine rode that for two years daily, enduro, moto and flat track. The problem with the bike is the weight is forward and very heavy at around 121kg. When you jump it it tends to nose dive. Meanwhile brt Indonesia make great kit for the engine. My cousin said you can up the stroke +6 mm and the bore from 57 to 82mm. He did his stock to 75mm and convert to carb version.
That bike is worth less than $2k here in Philippines and is really popular with the servicemen for an electricity company. Looking forward to seeing you get one and riding it! 💪
We've had them in New Zealand for a few years now as farm bikes. 17 inch rear wheel is fun to get off road tyres for as well as ever thing else you mentioned. We also have the xr190 and it's almost as good a race bike as the dr200
Paper air filters and no dirt protection for the bottom shock bearing. Clutches don't like having no oil, seen one that the dip stick had caught on fire. Valves are soft and turn into mushrooms sometimes under extreme farming.
I know this is gonna get buried in here, but i'm gonna go ahead and say it. You should review a TTR250. Amazing bike that is often overlooked as a slightly more powerful version of the TTR230 and is often called "underpowered" You should silence those people and make a review about it!
I just bought one this Jan '23 in the Philippines for $1815 OTD with a free shirt and helmet. That included tt&l and insurance. It's good transportation here in these bad roads in a sea of 110cc-125cc scooters and underbones. The version here includes the kickstarter. Mine has the 2V head, I'm really interested if it really is a 4 valve head there. I have no regrets, I got economical reliable transportation for cheap. No, I wouldn't buy this bike in the US though..
While yes, it has cheap parts, but I sure as hell will bet it's much better put together than the Chinese knockoffs. At little over 3k it's going to be a great farm bike or first bike for someone. I'm personally interested in it as my 4th bike, for bumming around town and hitting up the local gravel roads.
@fastmav347: let's be real about one thing, $2971 or $3k is just MSRP, expect $4000 out the door, and dealers across America are pushing prices up to $4500 to nearly 5k for a 150cc bike with old tech but new to america
the issue is after dealer mark ups and all the extra cost this bike will cost 4300-4500 walking out . My buddy wants one of these badly because he is new to riding and dont want too much power but im telling him to get a used 250 or 230 and dont look back .
Right in the price range of things like the Honda Cub (variations) and within spitting distance of the Grom. As a get-around town sort of bike.. I'd have to think about which of those I'd want. Hmm..
Hey Gabe!. These are brazilian made. We´ve had them for ages here in Argentina, and we are poor so we indeed use them for racing purposes haha. You can look here on youtube there is a ton of content of these bikes doing some enduros. The info on the website is wrong, the engine only has two valves. It outputs something like 13 horsepower. We also have the XR 190L which is virtually the same bike but with Fuel Injection and bored out to 184cc´s. I literally cannot wait until you get one in your hands just to see how you trash it into oblivion. It will be a challenge as these little bikes are quite sturdy. Yamaha´s direct competition model is the XTZ125/150 The brozz, hawk, csc and those chinese bikes are exact clones of this model, but with less quality materials
I just ordered one! Having spent a lot of time in India and seeing how useful and fun these little street bikes can be (Hero Honda!) I've always wanted one. It looks like the North American versions don't have kick start - which is fine with me as they're super easy to bump start down a small hill.
I grew up ridding the crf150f it's a good engine and quicker than one might think, especially with an fmf power core 4 on it with some rejetting and a k&n air filter.
I just got a CRF150L, basically same motor, fuel injected, USD forks. My first 7.2 l of gas took me almost 300km. Looking to drop a 200cc- 250cc upgrade in it, big valve head, cam, throttle body, injector, crank, 6 bolt clutch, programmable ECU and titanium Norifumi pipe. From 12hp to over 25. Also supermoto wheels, tail tidy, LED headlight, renthal bars, axle sliders and handguards. Definitely won't be holeshotting any moto-x events but makes for a wicked round the town street/trail wheelie bike.
Es vendida en argentina hace décadas, mismo motor que el crf 150 l vendido en asia. Excelentísimo motor, se lo suele preparar a 190cc, carburador plano, tapa de cilindro trabajada, leva y escape llegando a los 20/24 hp. Si la tuviera describir en una palabra seria: NOBLE. Saludos, estaría muy interesante verla en un 24hrs
This xr is very common in farm roads and foot paths in the philippines. My co-livestock technician has been using this bike every day for about five years. Its not fast but its bullet proof.
sorry if this sounds like a stupid question, but does anyone know if this requires a drivers license to drive on roads? (again sorry if it sounds like a dumb question, also i live in DFW Texas.)
jo, i live in south america and have a 2018 xr 150 and it looks like the engine and frame are the same it only has 2 valves and the rear shock has no linkage behind the plastic cover on the intake is sum sort of sensor it does not handle very well offroad
Fair and strongly reasoned arguments. Still, good for student, old guy riding. Had a CRF150 years ago, they're good at what they are - and thats being reliable. I think there's enough in the engine to get it to 65+ on the road. Not hating it at all...
i did a little research on this bike and it seems like it was mainly marketed to developing countries like india, it's for people that don't have much money but need to get around on dirt roads. not sure who they are marketing it to in the US since most people here just buy them for fun instead of a main mode of transportation. It's not worth buying though, there are other options in the 3-5k range that are better. i think kawasaki makes a 230 dual sport. theres also a few other 300s in that range too.
They've been in production for the SE Asian market for quite a long time already. Agricultural, no-nonsense machines for those that need it to do the work it was intended to do.
It's my daily driver here in the Philippines. Had it since 2019 and has 32K kms. Reliable and simple to work on. Being what it is, my only gripes about it is the drum break and forks. Drum brakes are weak and the thin forks has flex that I notice. It's competing unit the Yamaha XTZ 125 has bigger forks and better suspension.
It's gonna be a great bike to get my wife to do some gravel road cruizin with me. And a great scoot to take to the race track for a run around bike as well. $500 bucks cheaper then a grom you can't expect much.
Just looking, and I don't know if this is a mistake too, but PRO-LINK would infer that it has a progressive linkage. Whether it actually does or not though remains to be seen. I also almost guarantee that that's the 2V engine. The valve cover and general head layout look exactly the same as every other 80-175 cc Honda engine since something like 1972. I don't know how you'd easily convert that to a 4V while still retaining the dimensions and architecture of that design
I think they cut costs on the people who wrote the web page too lol probably just had an intern do it and told them "idk, just make it look like every other press release we post"
They sell these in Mexico . They sell a xr190l version with fuel injection . It also had a cat convertor . I owned the xr190l while I lived in Cabo San Lucas . It said it was made in China . I don’t get why they didn’t sell the 190 version. I liked the bike for running errands but sand riding was a little tough .
Even less cc than my TW200, interesting. Great point on no cross bar on the handlebar. I have only bent my TW200 handlebar once on a tumble down a black diamond. Would never want to bend a handlebar again
Got a 2021 model used the same year for like 1900 US here in Mexico. More than I wanted to pay but got tired of waiting for an older one to come up on marketplace. They say the Italika bikes feel way cheaper.
But is it made in Japan? Or like the 350L made in Taiwan. Seems to me like the aftermarket world should love the XR150L. Just think of all the money they could make and at $3,000 most people could afford to hop up their new bike. Because we all know most riders can't just leave their bikes stock.
Since Honda seems totally unwilling to sell the supercub in Canada, and the ct125 is almost $1200 more plus an indefinite waitlist, I’m definitely getting the 150.
Good insight. Could be fun to make it a 230 if that fits. The $3000 bike comes with 300 mile range, a comfy looking seat and a luggage rack. I think you need to buy a BMW to get all that stock. Really, I wish Suzuki would just reintroduce the worst motorcycle ever made with full size wheels. The DR200 weighs less with even more fuel and full size wheels.
OK but let’s talk about the positive for a minute, the fact that we have a manufacturer that’s actually putting out affordable entry level machines in 2023 is freaking awesome!! yeah I paid 12,000 for my brand new 2021 Kawasaki Z900 RS café so I expect a lot more. But here for $3000 you’re getting Honda reliability and of course they’re going to build it to that price point but I’m actually thinking about buying one just for the hell of it. This however is an excellent entry-level bike for people that don’t have a lot of money.
Yes, Tigit and Flamingo Travel both rented them out in Vietnam. We've with my wife ride it all over Vietnam and Cambodia, every road, from highway to forest trails, with luggage, two-up, no problem. Bomb-proof, reliable, easy-to-ride machine. Not the fastest, not the most off-road capable (you will not go hardcore off-road two-up on any motorcycle), but very capable and it will take you anywhere you want. I like it. Would I choose it if I be able to bring my G650GS Sertao? Nope. Did I have a lot of fun and visit amazing places with it? Yes.
these bikes are used for touring Vietnam by many companies like Tigit. They are considered absolutely bomber, efficient, easy to fix, indestructible. They put racks on them and many couples ride these around. They are absolutely amazing sort of farm equipment Like the TW200, just cheaper
These little bikes have been proven all over Asia India and South America. They’re well worth the $3000. Those rear drum brakes in the rain are nonexistent
the Honda XR150L is a very reliable bike here in the Philippines since 2016. and it does what it was made for.. don't look for more as it's just only 150cc but as i've said, it's a very durable, reliable bike. you get what you paid for. very good for dual purpose usage 👍👍 originally made by Honda Motors here in the Philippines
We have this bike down in Panama where I live. Its much cheaper at about 2200 dollars which includes tax and a helmet. They are very popular. They are affordable transportation. That is the best part about these motorcycles.
This is amazing. Direct competition to the Hawk, Brozz, CSC, etc. bikes out of China. Funny when a Trailmaster, EGL, or SSR look expensive compared to a Honda.
Does it look like something I would buy at this point in my life? No, but it is honestly something that I probably would have bought when I was younger, and probably would have been a better choice than a lot of things I did spend my money on. Plenty of us here in the states keep lamenting not being able to buy the small, cheap and interesting means of motorized transport that other parts of the world have access to, so this is a case of will people put their money where their mouths are?
My dealer got alloted 3. 1 white one and 2 black ones. The white one is already sold and I get a black one. I think they are gonna sell well the way the 125 mini market is.
@northwestmoto: $2971 or $3k is just MSRP, expect $4000 out the door, some dealers are pushing the price up to $4500 nearly 5k, many will not consider that cheap for a 150cc bike with 30yr old tech but new to america I guess.
Look at the tires they put on it... it's basically an all around bike. It's not really meant to be a true off road "race bike". It's more like a descendent of the old XL125 of the 1970's. Which was a great bike if you just like to ride and occasionally like to go down a trail to the beach or whatever. I like them. That engine has a reputation for being great. It's not fast, it's not a true off road bike... but it is a lot of fun. Only gripe... here in the US... no kick starter. Hate bikes without a kick starter. LOL!
Dont mod it keep stock, trail it,rough road it, maintain it and know How to clean a carb And it will last several decades to come. What this person fail to you is that it has a large fuel tank for its displacement and a slightly wider seat. for 3k thats kindda expensive! It usually goes around or under 2k for the rest of the world. And if you dont know what a petcock is? then you are not for this bike.
Авто/Мото
Looks like a great little bike to run around town! Love seeing cheap, street legal options.
Looks like a great contender to thrash in ways it was never intended for, for entertainment purposes 😂
Takes me back to the heyday fun bikes of the 70s
@@TortureTestMagazine these have been available in Vietnam for years. They are a Chinese made bike with a Honda logo. They are ok for ADV riding in Vietnam. I used to use mine offroad and took it up some decent monster hill climbs. Vids on my channel around 2019.some people upgrade them to 200cc
@@TortureTestMagazine hope one of them ends up in your hands, to have it's limits tested.. For future owners knowledge. Just kidding, thrash that joke of a dirt bike on some endurance race.
I'd like to have it
so what ur saying is your gonna 24hr race it
Hahaha you know me too well
that’s what i heard too
😅
@@TortureTestMagazinewhat are those newest carb brands tht atomise better? Get one of those.. even better fuel economy, crazy if you lean the shit out of it.
This is a popular rental bike in Vietnam for long distance multiday tours. I just rode one from Saigon to Hanoi over three weeks along all the back roads. It is very well suited to the task as roads can be rough, narrow and slow so a small light not very powerful bike is ideal. It is surprisingly comfortable and very reliable.
It's also one of only three or four different models offered in the segment in Colombia.
Most people can't afford to spend more money on a motorcycle in countries like that, and it totally does the job as a means of everyday transportation.
@@mf8236 I can imagine. It is one of my ambitions to go to Colombia and do some motorcycle touring and I can imagine an XR150 would work well. I think you can get similar bikes with slightly larger engines around 170cc if I remember correctly, imported from Brazil.
@@person.X.I do know Honda has a 190 dual sport sold in Mexico, probably exists in Colombia too.
The Suzuki dr200s bikes are plentiful in Latin America too.
Maybe you can get a xt225 or 250 used for a good price.
@@Rocketman0407 I live in Australia and these little bikes are not road legal because of emissions and safety legislation so are unavailable. Also this is more of a big bike place because of the huge distances. I have considered buying one of these bikes in Colombia and going on a big road trip around South America though 😃
me and 5 friends all bought these in Chile and rode them back to Canada. 13 countries, 26,000 KM (18,000 miles). These bikes are amazing. Bulletproof
I live in Vietnam, we've been using that Xr150 here for years. It's finally being sold in the west.
It's a bit of an undepowered slug, but useful for most purposes.
It's called "the light adventure bike of Vietnam."
In México too!!! And in the rest of latin america exatly the same a very loved little adventure bike
@@rodrigosanchez1559 How much do they cost over there? And does it seem like its worth the price? It feels like it's over priced here in Canada where they are soon to be released. But everything is over priced here.
light weight? seems pretty heavy at 284 pounds.
@@40mmmikemike roughly 2500 usd new here in Mexico.
The used market for japanese dualsports is so bad here. Rusty old xr250s from mid 2000s go for 2500 and a dr200 roughly the same.
Best bet is actually to get a bike with a blown engine and fix it yourself or have a mechanic do it since mechanics are very cheap here. Like 25 usd to change a piston and cylinder for the labor.
@@40mmmikemike it's worth the price. and it does what it's made for because it's a budget friendly, affordable price here in the Philippines. it's just 150cc engine so don't expect for more. but very durable and reliable bike for adventure and daily use
This bike was sold in India way back around 2012- 2013 as the Impulse by Hero Motocorp. It's still used in motocross/rally raid events because proper dirt bikes are very expensive here in India. People here swap out the engine with the 230 engine and do all sorts of upgrades to make it race worthy. This thing is super reliable and cheap af and no there is no rear suspension linkage.
It must be super cheap over there, I think we are getting ripped off in the west.
@@40mmmikemike yeah you are, here in argentina we have a 60% tax on bikes and it's still 2230 USD brand new!
I thought the era of cheap brand-name bikes was over, so I was really surprised to see this. I think you are too harsh Gabe, of course it's made to be cheap, it won't be great, but I'm sure it'll bring a lot of new riders into the hobby,
this bike has been sold here in south america for many years, mostly used nowadays to commute or by delivery people, engine is solid, ive seen them used with over 60,000km running no problem but i would not market it as an offroad bike, its a city bike with more suspension travel
I still want one. Hopefully my dealer doesn’t mark up the price to madness. Thanks for the awesome videos
I am happy to see this available in the US. I live in Mexico and I have a practically stock NXR 150cc 08´ its like the old version of this, made in Brazil it's a great bike, I have done lots of gnarly stuff off-road and it has never given up on me so its extremely reliable, nevertheless this newer version (XR) that you guys just got, we've had for a while now, with the rally version, 190cc version and the 150L version available which are totally more for street than its older brother the NXR as Ive ridden along with people that own the XR and even though its the same motor and basically the same bike I have yet to see anybody be able to whip them like Im able to do mine, they feel lower on torque and a little more robust which makes maneuverability in tight corners and skips over things just feel harder. An example of the situations Ive seen, was riding alongside a 2020 XR 150 which started having major issues with heating up more than usual and a very sticked together clutch after cluthing and uncluthing through a hard terrain, mine also heated up and seemed a little hesitant on the clutch but mine went back to feeling normal after about 10 minutes, while his kept on "feeling off" until like the next day but I´d still recommend buying it, especially if its more for commuting purposes rather than off-roading since it does seem to have a bit of a faster top speed, but ultimately, no, its not a chinese bike that will break instantly like hes saying.
Looks like they pulled it straight out of the 1980’s warehouse. Analog display and carbureted with steel everything. Convert a bunch of these parts to aluminum and shed 50lbs then the power to weight ratio gets almost reasonable.
Looks like a good learner bike for my 14 year old daughter.
That bike is a Brazilian bike, its called Bros 150 and we haver this model since 2002.
The engine is the same as de most sold bike here in Brazil the cg 150.
Its a light trail bike developed for city use
this bike is different to the Brazilian Bros, this one is chinese made
the bros is higher quality, this is the chinese copy of the brazilian version. looks exactly the same but the material quality is worse.
We have had the XR125 which looks the same in the UK for ages, it uses the push rod CG125 engine which has amazing longevity! At least the 150 you are getting has the OHC engine!
Oh yeah that those old Honda CG engines were almost completely indestructible. Low on power, but really great engines.
@@trevorjameson3213 Yes the CG is an amazing engine. Huge main and big end bearings, designed to last for ever with minimal maintainence. I have one that is making 21 bhp, over bored to 66.5mm (172cc) with a cam and bigger valves!
@@MrTench8 i'm thinking about tuning Mine. But with a 190cc kit and leave The Cams stock.. how is your bike performing with those 21hp? Is It worth
@@marcofelipelopes3081 it was a lot of work to achieve that power. I have the crf150 keihin fcr32 carb as well and the bike has recorded 94 mph on a standing start mile at an acu records event.
I had the XR 150 and the XR 190 (fuel injected version) in Ecuador and Colombia (SA) they are more fun and capable than you could believe! Pretty indestructible, they use not gas ⛽
Is the yamaha wr155r available in your country?
Just picked up a new one a week ago as an economical off grid transportation in Arizona desert and so far it's been Fantastic. Definitely Not a hard core off road adventure bike but great for cruising light dirt, gravel and rocky roads at slower speeds. I am 190 lbs and easily cruising 55 mph on black top with push to get to 60.
Starts up on first crank everytime, Honda reliability, looks and sounds great.
Overall, for a light, small dual sport that's economical but not really made for hard core riding, this is a great choice, especially for beginners.
Yeah man I’m 17 and this is my first bike for a year
It is a farm bike, the suspension is just like a boat
$4590 here in Canada. That’s a hard pass for me.
I rented one of these in Mexico. The build quality didn't seem to be too lacking compared to the 230L models available in 2008 and 2009, but I didn't really notice the steel vs aluminum rims and other steel parts. Definitely night and day difference from the Italika bikes. I'm sure a PWK carb and some weight reduction mods would make it a bit more responsive and generally more fun. I'm blown away these would be released in the US. I didn't think we'd ever see street legal carbed bikes again. I've also rented the XR250 Tornado in Mexico which is basically a street-legal , e-start XR250 that would be fantastic with a carb and some weight reduction. I think it's around 290 wet.
I moved to Mexico. The used market for dualsports are horrible if you want Japanese stuff. Scarce and expensive. I was however able to pick up a dr200 from 2010 for around 800 with a blown topend. Got gabes book and installed PWK Carb, high flow exhaust, pod filter. I then geared it down like crazy to 13t and got a 232cc custom piston installed.
I do consider getting one of those 250 Tornadoes used and tuning them for better performance.
You think the 250 will give me a significant power difference if tuned compared to the dr200/232 in my case?
@@ceaseanddesist8036 The Tornado I rented was bone-stock so I don't have real data to pull from, but I've modded 5 dual sports in the past and feel I can get a good idea of where performance can be improved. If you're looking for better mid-top end power to cruise in the 50-70mph zone, I think the Tornado would be a good upgrade, but I would imagine your built up 200 has better torque. If I had to choose between my built up 230F and a built up Tornado, I'd go for the 230 for the lighter weight and more nimble feel. I hope this info helps your decision.
@@daddister7471 thanks. I consider selling my cruiser and keep the dr and get one more dualsport. Would be nice to do highway at a reasonable pace, I would like to cross Mexico with it. Think the Tornado with a modest Big Bore and some tuning should work good then.
@@ceaseanddesist8036 I think that would work well. It would be great if you could get a test ride though before committing to the purchase.
@@ceaseanddesist8036 Not sure I'd take the risk of big boring it. I think it would be fine stock.
Nice vid hehe, that brazilian made XR150L has been around for at least a decade now in many other markets, I’d love to see you make a video on your impressions on another brazilian built Honda, like the XR250 “Tornado” a classic and very well loved bike from Mexico to Argentina. Greetings from Peru 🇵🇪 🙌🏻
In south east Asia you see a lot of Honda's just like that. Simple, reliable and cheap
Great content Gabe, spot on as usual.
Still waiting for the CRF230”R” !
I suggest you drive one for yourself. This bike has been around in Asian and Latin American countries since 2015. It's not comparable to a YZ450 or a 250 but it sure is a lot of fun. I have a 2015 model. Overtime, I've made some modes like handlebars and handguards, slapped shinko 705s on 18/21 rims, upgraded all to led lights and installed a loudhorn, changed chainset to 520 and sprockets to 13T front, 40T rear, some tweaks on the engine and CDI. Used it for weekend rides on highways wqs able to reach 80mph but went on a cruising speed of 50mph. It is offroad capable (but not motocross). It faired better on trails and river crossings than those heavy GS1250s honestly since it's lighter. It's a raw bike. Actuslly, a bugout bike. No frills but gets the job done as a survival gear.
We have the FI version, a crf150L a cousin of mine rode that for two years daily, enduro, moto and flat track. The problem with the bike is the weight is forward and very heavy at around 121kg. When you jump it it tends to nose dive. Meanwhile brt Indonesia make great kit for the engine. My cousin said you can up the stroke +6 mm and the bore from 57 to 82mm. He did his stock to 75mm and convert to carb version.
That bike is worth less than $2k here in Philippines and is really popular with the servicemen for an electricity company.
Looking forward to seeing you get one and riding it! 💪
We've had them in New Zealand for a few years now as farm bikes. 17 inch rear wheel is fun to get off road tyres for as well as ever thing else you mentioned. We also have the xr190 and it's almost as good a race bike as the dr200
Paper air filters and no dirt protection for the bottom shock bearing. Clutches don't like having no oil, seen one that the dip stick had caught on fire. Valves are soft and turn into mushrooms sometimes under extreme farming.
Xr190 has like 15 hp while the dr200 has 21
@@elfelon9465 on a dyno thay both have about 12hp don't know where you got 21hp for the dr200
If this was going be my first bike ever.would you recommend this,just to get back and forth to work
I know this is gonna get buried in here, but i'm gonna go ahead and say it. You should review a TTR250. Amazing bike that is often overlooked as a slightly more powerful version of the TTR230 and is often called "underpowered" You should silence those people and make a review about it!
I just bought one this Jan '23 in the Philippines for $1815 OTD with a free shirt and helmet. That included tt&l and insurance. It's good transportation here in these bad roads in a sea of 110cc-125cc scooters and underbones. The version here includes the kickstarter. Mine has the 2V head, I'm really interested if it really is a 4 valve head there. I have no regrets, I got economical reliable transportation for cheap. No, I wouldn't buy this bike in the US though..
I already own a 2016 CRF230F and a 2017 KLX140G both of which have been made street legal. I have no need for this bike yet I now want it.
I had one here in Mexico.. i abused that bike so much and it just keep going.. hopefully I'll get new one
While yes, it has cheap parts, but I sure as hell will bet it's much better put together than the Chinese knockoffs. At little over 3k it's going to be a great farm bike or first bike for someone. I'm personally interested in it as my 4th bike, for bumming around town and hitting up the local gravel roads.
This is a Chinese made bike by Sundiro with a Honda logo
@fastmav347: let's be real about one thing, $2971 or $3k is just MSRP, expect $4000 out the door, and dealers across America are pushing prices up to $4500 to nearly 5k for a 150cc bike with old tech but new to america
the issue is after dealer mark ups and all the extra cost this bike will cost 4300-4500 walking out . My buddy wants one of these badly because he is new to riding and dont want too much power but im telling him to get a used 250 or 230 and dont look back .
Right in the price range of things like the Honda Cub (variations) and within spitting distance of the Grom. As a get-around town sort of bike.. I'd have to think about which of those I'd want. Hmm..
Hey Gabe!.
These are brazilian made. We´ve had them for ages here in Argentina, and we are poor so we indeed use them for racing purposes haha. You can look here on youtube there is a ton of content of these bikes doing some enduros.
The info on the website is wrong, the engine only has two valves. It outputs something like 13 horsepower. We also have the XR 190L which is virtually the same bike but with Fuel Injection and bored out to 184cc´s.
I literally cannot wait until you get one in your hands just to see how you trash it into oblivion. It will be a challenge as these little bikes are quite sturdy. Yamaha´s direct competition model is the XTZ125/150
The brozz, hawk, csc and those chinese bikes are exact clones of this model, but with less quality materials
Thanks for the confirmation on the false info presented by Honda! But yeah this thing should be fun to thrash on and I can't wait lol
Thanks for the review of this
I just ordered one! Having spent a lot of time in India and seeing how useful and fun these little street bikes can be (Hero Honda!) I've always wanted one. It looks like the North American versions don't have kick start - which is fine with me as they're super easy to bump start down a small hill.
Says 2 valves/ cylinder on the website now. So they changed. I wonder if they will change the Pro Link rear suspension too?
This is where honda needs to be, especially if they could provide the same treatment to an xr 400l
*Gabe 20 years later* so this 20 year old xr150l was the cheapest thing I could find on Craigslist for the 24 hour challenge.
I grew up ridding the crf150f it's a good engine and quicker than one might think, especially with an fmf power core 4 on it with some rejetting and a k&n air filter.
Just turned 100 miles on mine and it is a LOT of fun for what it is.
Pretty strong feelings having only seen pictures online.
Hey man i just got a 230m do u know what swaps out with other bikes?
My wife rides a '09 150f that I uncorked and more often than not, that is the bike I pick to wheelie around the yard.
I just got a CRF150L, basically same motor, fuel injected, USD forks. My first 7.2 l of gas took me almost 300km. Looking to drop a 200cc- 250cc upgrade in it, big valve head, cam, throttle body, injector, crank, 6 bolt clutch, programmable ECU and titanium Norifumi pipe. From 12hp to over 25. Also supermoto wheels, tail tidy, LED headlight, renthal bars, axle sliders and handguards. Definitely won't be holeshotting any moto-x events but makes for a wicked round the town street/trail wheelie bike.
Hey man just bought one of these. Do you know if I can flash the ecu or get a power commander? You did mention you could tune it? How would that work
It's carburetor so no ECU to tune. You tune it by adjusting the jets, a/f screw, and needle position.
Es vendida en argentina hace décadas, mismo motor que el crf 150 l vendido en asia. Excelentísimo motor, se lo suele preparar a 190cc, carburador plano, tapa de cilindro trabajada, leva y escape llegando a los 20/24 hp. Si la tuviera describir en una palabra seria: NOBLE. Saludos, estaría muy interesante verla en un 24hrs
Looks very similar to the Honda xr125l that we had in the uk for many years
It's probably more for the developing market, they also lowered it right?
This xr is very common in farm roads and foot paths in the philippines. My co-livestock technician has been using this bike every day for about five years. Its not fast but its bullet proof.
sorry if this sounds like a stupid question, but does anyone know if this requires a drivers license to drive on roads? (again sorry if it sounds like a dumb question, also i live in DFW Texas.)
jo, i live in south america and have a 2018 xr 150 and it looks like the engine and frame are the same
it only has 2 valves and the rear shock has no linkage
behind the plastic cover on the intake is sum sort of sensor
it does not handle very well offroad
I wonder if this will be imported to the states?
Fair and strongly reasoned arguments. Still, good for student, old guy riding. Had a CRF150 years ago, they're good at what they are - and thats being reliable. I think there's enough in the engine to get it to 65+ on the road. Not hating it at all...
I'm digging this XR. And for the price I pretty much have to pick one up.
With 7" up front and 6" out back, you know this thing is gonna get pounded into an oblivion......that's what she said 👌
i did a little research on this bike and it seems like it was mainly marketed to developing countries like india, it's for people that don't have much money but need to get around on dirt roads. not sure who they are marketing it to in the US since most people here just buy them for fun instead of a main mode of transportation. It's not worth buying though, there are other options in the 3-5k range that are better. i think kawasaki makes a 230 dual sport. theres also a few other 300s in that range too.
That bike is sold here in argentina. Its a solid bike but the suspension is very very soft, but overall great bike
Great Little Bikes. Lots of fun.
They've been in production for the SE Asian market for quite a long time already. Agricultural, no-nonsense machines for those that need it to do the work it was intended to do.
i can see you tuning this little baby and riding the 24h enduro race !!!! :)
It's my daily driver here in the Philippines. Had it since 2019 and has 32K kms. Reliable and simple to work on. Being what it is, my only gripes about it is the drum break and forks. Drum brakes are weak and the thin forks has flex that I notice. It's competing unit the Yamaha XTZ 125 has bigger forks and better suspension.
I have owned this since 2016,it's a fun little bike.
Wait honda going to release this bike on the West? Not in South East Asia where it is more suitable in the class?
It's gonna be a great bike to get my wife to do some gravel road cruizin with me. And a great scoot to take to the race track for a run around bike as well. $500 bucks cheaper then a grom you can't expect much.
its better than a grom by a good bit
The real question is, does it wheelie? I bet it does.
It’s just a commuter bike with off-road styling, I think the black cover on the carburettor is something to do with emissions
You can get them up some decent offroad stuff. I've put mine through hell 🤣
Just looking, and I don't know if this is a mistake too, but PRO-LINK would infer that it has a progressive linkage. Whether it actually does or not though remains to be seen. I also almost guarantee that that's the 2V engine. The valve cover and general head layout look exactly the same as every other 80-175 cc Honda engine since something like 1972. I don't know how you'd easily convert that to a 4V while still retaining the dimensions and architecture of that design
I think they cut costs on the people who wrote the web page too lol probably just had an intern do it and told them "idk, just make it look like every other press release we post"
Oi Gabe, What you up to these days. Miss your videos ... Hi from Australia !!!
They sell these in Mexico . They sell a xr190l version with fuel injection . It also had a cat convertor . I owned the xr190l while I lived in Cabo San Lucas . It said it was made in China . I don’t get why they didn’t sell the 190 version. I liked the bike for running errands but sand riding was a little tough .
Even less cc than my TW200, interesting. Great point on no cross bar on the handlebar. I have only bent my TW200 handlebar once on a tumble down a black diamond. Would never want to bend a handlebar again
I assume it's made in Thailand? KLX230 seems like the better buy. Or better yet, a used CRF230L. Maybe a Yammi XT225 if you can still find a good one.
Xr150 is made in China by a company called Sundiro Honda. Its not a real Honda
Got a 2021 model used the same year for like 1900 US here in Mexico. More than I wanted to pay but got tired of waiting for an older one to come up on marketplace. They say the Italika bikes feel way cheaper.
You can find bikes that cheap there?
New Honda CG 125s are around 1700 US in Mexico
sooooo when are you going down to the dealer to kick the tires on one ;)
Are we just going to ignore that the specs said “pro-link rear”?
But is it made in Japan? Or like the 350L made in Taiwan. Seems to me like the aftermarket world should love the XR150L. Just think of all the money they could make and at $3,000 most people could afford to hop up their new bike. Because we all know most riders can't just leave their bikes stock.
The Xr150 is made in China by a company called Sundiro Honda since 2015. It's not a real Honda. Still, they do their job for the money
Since Honda seems totally unwilling to sell the supercub in Canada, and the ct125 is almost $1200 more plus an indefinite waitlist, I’m definitely getting the 150.
Good insight. Could be fun to make it a 230 if that fits. The $3000 bike comes with 300 mile range, a comfy looking seat and a luggage rack. I think you need to buy a BMW to get all that stock. Really, I wish Suzuki would just reintroduce the worst motorcycle ever made with full size wheels. The DR200 weighs less with even more fuel and full size wheels.
OK but let’s talk about the positive for a minute, the fact that we have a manufacturer that’s actually putting out affordable entry level machines in 2023 is freaking awesome!! yeah I paid 12,000 for my brand new 2021 Kawasaki Z900 RS café so I expect a lot more. But here for $3000 you’re getting Honda reliability and of course they’re going to build it to that price point but I’m actually thinking about buying one just for the hell of it.
This however is an excellent entry-level bike for people that don’t have a lot of money.
Yes, Tigit and Flamingo Travel both rented them out in Vietnam.
We've with my wife ride it all over Vietnam and Cambodia, every road, from highway to forest trails, with luggage, two-up, no problem. Bomb-proof, reliable, easy-to-ride machine. Not the fastest, not the most off-road capable (you will not go hardcore off-road two-up on any motorcycle), but very capable and it will take you anywhere you want. I like it.
Would I choose it if I be able to bring my G650GS Sertao? Nope. Did I have a lot of fun and visit amazing places with it? Yes.
these bikes are used for touring Vietnam by many companies like Tigit. They are considered absolutely bomber, efficient, easy to fix, indestructible. They put racks on them and many couples ride these around. They are absolutely amazing sort of farm equipment Like the TW200, just cheaper
ruclips.net/video/9wzswniWGuU/видео.html
These little bikes have been proven all over Asia India and South America. They’re well worth the $3000. Those rear drum brakes in the rain are nonexistent
the Honda XR150L is a very reliable bike here in the Philippines since 2016. and it does what it was made for.. don't look for more as it's just only 150cc but as i've said, it's a very durable, reliable bike. you get what you paid for. very good for dual purpose usage 👍👍
originally made by Honda Motors here in the Philippines
We have this bike down in Panama where I live. Its much cheaper at about 2200 dollars which includes tax and a helmet. They are very popular. They are affordable transportation. That is the best part about these motorcycles.
Them forks look teeny. I ride my wife's klx140L pretty hard but that thing looks like a baby
This is amazing. Direct competition to the Hawk, Brozz, CSC, etc. bikes out of China. Funny when a Trailmaster, EGL, or SSR look expensive compared to a Honda.
This bike is made in China by Sundiro. Not a real honda
Not competition for those bikes. This IS one of those bikes.
Does it look like something I would buy at this point in my life? No, but it is honestly something that I probably would have bought when I was younger, and probably would have been a better choice than a lot of things I did spend my money on. Plenty of us here in the states keep lamenting not being able to buy the small, cheap and interesting means of motorized transport that other parts of the world have access to, so this is a case of will people put their money where their mouths are?
Cheep ,durable,easy to ride ,sounds like a good date ,they will probably sell a lot of them .
My dealer got alloted 3. 1 white one and 2 black ones. The white one is already sold and I get a black one. I think they are gonna sell well the way the 125 mini market is.
It's a cheap new putt putt bike. Sometimes that's all you want.
@northwestmoto: $2971 or $3k is just MSRP, expect $4000 out the door, some dealers are pushing the price up to $4500 nearly 5k, many will not consider that cheap for a 150cc bike with 30yr old tech but new to america I guess.
@@jamesgreen1614 When $100 buys you a bag of groceries, 5k for a bike you'll own for the rest of your life isn't terrible.
got this bike for more than 2 years already, got 50k milage on it, using it everyday going to work.
4 valve head I believe I read somewhere too, compared to the crf150f 2 valve.
Says 2 valves/cylinder on the Honda website now
@@aaronhansen8037 misprint originally I guess
@@DirtRider22a yeah. Dang it!
I don’t get it. The 08/09 CRF230L had a lower seat height, weighed less and had a 6 speed gearbox.
And now Honda brings us this with 6hp less?
Look at the tires they put on it... it's basically an all around bike. It's not really meant to be a true off road "race bike". It's more like a descendent of the old XL125 of the 1970's. Which was a great bike if you just like to ride and occasionally like to go down a trail to the beach or whatever.
I like them. That engine has a reputation for being great. It's not fast, it's not a true off road bike... but it is a lot of fun.
Only gripe... here in the US... no kick starter. Hate bikes without a kick starter. LOL!
Dont mod it keep stock, trail it,rough road it, maintain it and know How to clean a carb And it will last several decades to come. What this person fail to you is that it has a large fuel tank for its displacement and a slightly wider seat.
for 3k thats kindda expensive! It usually goes around or under 2k for the rest of the world. And if you dont know what a petcock is? then you are not for this bike.
in realty its a CG125 with higher ground clearance and big wheels
The biggest problem I have with carbureted machines would be the ethanol fuel that we use. Ethanol fuel and carburetors don’t play nice.
I'm pretty sure honda knows how to engineer engines that can handle ethanol...
Find a BBR 150 aluminum frame kit with cr 85 forks and go racing!
Never mind waiting for the hand-me-down one. Get it new then torture it!💥 Its gonna be popular so the views will pay for it imo😀
You can get fairly good chinese KTM or Honda 250-350cc 2T and 4T copies for the same money
In Brazil we've had a bike called Bros since forever almost (I think since 02), so this "novelty" isn't exactly new
Correct 👍👍👍👍 nice review!!