Honda Showcases 150SS Racer Concept

When futuristic Japanese design meets timeless British culture, behold, the Honda 150SS Racer concept is born. Displayed at the 2017 Bangkok International Motor Show, the bike is indeed an excellent example of how a retro-modern cafe racer could be made. The round, Vitpilen-esque headlamp and muscular fuel tank with radiator shrouds give the bike a butch look. It also features unventilated discs at both ends to maintain the nostalgic charm. The old-world theme is accentuated with modern touches like full digital instrumentation, solid carbon fibre-like wheels, inverted forks at the front and painted monoshock at the rear. Speaking of the rear, the tail piece looks suspiciously similar to the 2017 Yamaha YZF-R1.

Honda has remained tight-lipped about the powerplant specifications but going by the name, the engine should be a 150cc unit that is presumably taken from the CBR 150R. The 149.4cc liquid cooled, fuel-injected unit in the CBR produces 18.53PS of power at 10,500 rpm and 12.66Nm of peak torque at 8,500 rpm.

It took over six million bahts (Approximately Rs 1.13 Crore) for the research and development of the 150SS Racer. A.P. Honda Co., is the official distributor of Honda motorcycles in Thailand and the concept was displayed at an exclusive stall made by the brand, called ‘Honda Hub of Lifester’. The stall aims to give a unique lifestyle-centric ambience for bikers.

It is also unclear whether this concept will make it into production. If it does, and if Honda brings it to India, we will have a drool-worthy competitor to the FZs and Gixxers of the segment.

Also read, Honda X-ADV Unveiled in 2016 EICMA