new Honda 150 - Of interest to small bike lovers?

[Stig / Major Tom]

I'm a big fan of smaller bikes. So un-American!
My interests lie in scooters and motorcycles in the 90 > 250cc range.
After riding scooters and motorcycles smaller than 175cc's for a few years, here in Ohio, Calif, Mass & Texas, - I see no reason to ever go bigger.
Plenty will need more speed and power - that's OK, too. For them.
In my coffee village yesterday, having breakfast with my oldest daughter, I spotted the new Honda 150 parked by the Group W bench!
I noticed a fellow in a riding jacket - approached him and we had a nice chat about his new white XR150L Honda. Very new to our shores - April or May, 2023, but has been round for years in other markets. (Asia!)

He really loves it - his other ride is the new Honda Trail Cub 125. (one of the 2 I saw at the street fair recently) - he said he rides with a group who all own the new Super Cub and/or the Trail Cubs! He said his group really like this XR150 - and each will probably add one!

MSRP just below $3K.
Rear drum, and a carb....to keep the price down I imagine. These things have an incredible record for toughness and reliability in 3rd world life!


Stig

[Neil955i]

Nice looking basic bike Stig, but I wonder what your rear would feel like after 100 miles on that seat?...

Returning from Yorkshire yesterday we were passed by one of the new Honda ADV 350 scooters in silver.  I was impressed I'm not ashamed to say and even more so given the OTD price here of £5,699.  My DTX360 was £5,500 so I think Honda may have reduced their prices to be more competitive?  On a related matter, if the AK550 is £9.9K here, how do Yamaha justify £13.8K for the T-Max 560?  More to the point, is 200cc more worth the extra £4K?  No, thought not.  Not when a 750 Honda Forza is "only" £10.4K

If I was in the market for a ten grand scooter, I know where I'd be placing my order and they wouldn't have to "force" me!

[NorWeWa]

My dual sport for several years was the Beta 125 RR-S. The motor was essentially a liquid cooled 4-valve Yamaha. 6 speed trany, 18 and 21 inch wheels. Scaled down size from the bigger Beta machines.  Worked fine for me but not enough motor for my riding buds. 

[klaviator]

I think this is a cool little bike but there really isn't a place for it in my garage.  I already have a KLX250 for dual sport riding and scooters for running around town.  I think this will sell moderately well.  For people who value simplicity and low cost this bike will be appealing.  The big damper on sales will be that it seems most Honda dealers add on exorbitant fees which will mean that this bike won't be all that inexpensive.  Of course there are some reasonable dealers out there. 

I don't see this being as hot of a seller as the Trail Cub has been.

[Viper254]

If they bring that XR150 to the UK as the XR125 (we have different learner laws) I will go down to the Honda showroom and buy one. I may have to sell a kidney first.

[Neil955i]

If they bring that XR150 to the UK as the XR125 (we have different learner laws) I will go down to the Honda showroom and buy one. I may have to sell a kidney first.

Still haven't dropped into "our" local Honda dealer which I must do.  Noticed recently there's a new buttie van in the car park though...