The Honda XR 150cc is one of the fastest-growing motorbike models in Vietnam, and for good reason. The imported 150cc dual-sport motorbike has captured the attention of the local Vietnamese and foreigner related rental companies. In many ways, the perfect motorbike for Vietnam.
What is the Honda XR 150
The Honda XR 150 is designed off the famous Honda Dual sport line. Originated as the Honda Baja to the Honda XR to the now Honda CRF.
Decades ago when the Honda Baja came on the scene a new genre of motorbike was created. The Dual-sport. A motorbike designed to be comfortable enough for long distance traveling, whilst having the strong capabilities off-road.
The Honda XR 150 is not actually made by Honda, but instead a coalition of Honda and Sundiro, known as “Honda Sundiro”. This is why we see the “Honda XR” name and not the modern CRF title.
The Honda Sundiro 150 was released in Vietnam in 2015. It has survived the tests of time and proven itself to be a reliable and strong machine. Competing with locally made manuals such as the Honda Winner and Yamaha Exciter when it comes to value for money.
Although the motorbike is imported, it shares common parts with the locally made Honda Wave, which combined with shared parts of the globally famous CRF allows the Honda XR 150 to be surprisingly easy to fix.
What is the Honda XR 150 for?
The Honda XR 150 is for travelling on the road and offroad. A realistic mix of 70% off-road and 30% road in terms of capabilities.
What defines a road or off-road bike? - How well it performs on the surface and thus how much joy it brings to the table.
When looking at off-road bikes we want soft suspension, a light, and nimble motorbike and low-end torque.
When looking at a road motorbike we want hard suspension, control/stability, and high-end torque.
The two don’t really mix at all, so we have the dual sport which attempts to be a compromise of the two.
In Vietnam, there are thousands of back lanes and trails that can’t be enjoyed on a scooter. The Honda XR comes to life on back lane roads.
Importantly though, the XR is reasonable and comfortable on the road as well. So we have a bike to get to those trails in the first place!Looking for off-road gear for your Vietnam trip?
Can I use the Honda XR 150cc in the city?
At first, the XR takes on a large presence on the roads and most people unfamiliar with this motorbike type will find it intimidating. However, when we get used to the XR on the busy streets of Saigon, it actually turns into an excellent city commuter.
Very smooth on the clutch compared to the Winner and Exciter and incredibly comfortable suspension.
Your girlfriend on the back will love the comfort this motorbike brings. No more getting smacked in the back when hitting hidden potholes.
In fact, when carrying a passenger the feel of upsetting the girlfriend through bad and hard suspension is a real speed stopper in the city. The XR will allow you to keep the pace up and not worry about your passenger comfort.
The only real downside to the XR 150 in the city is a lack of storage, easily fixed with a Givi box. The other problem is a lack of protection on the feet and shin areas. When it rains, you will get wet!
Other benefits of the Honda XR
Manual motorbikes don’t really depreciate in Vietnam and the Honda XR 150 is no different. This motorbike holds its value over time and is never going to drop below $1000.
Buy a second hand XR at $1500-1600 and you have an impressive, head-turning motorbike that allows you to enter a completely new genre of motorbiking.
Don’t be a coffee shop hunter
Cafe racers and 1000cc show off motorbikes designed for the tracks don’t fit in Vietnam. The Honda XR 150 most certainly does fit here. The XR 150 is a motorbike to improve your driving skills. Get out there on the mud tracks, learn to wheely (yes a wheely popping monster) and impress your girl through actually being able to drive!.
Once you master the Honda XR, you will be wheely popping your way into that coffee shop with your impressive adventure gear on. The ladies will weep at your presence. If you are a real man, then the XR is for you.
Life after the Honda XR 150
The XR is a building block to learning to properly drive. It is a fantastic all round motorbike and most people will never outgrow this amazing machine. However, if you do master the Honda XR 150 you will find yourself in a niche genre of adventure motorcyclists. A never-ending friendly community of learning and fun. The XR 150 to the Kawasaki KLX 250 to the Suzuki DRZ to the BMW GS 1200? - what is your learning curve going to be?
You will learn and find motorbikes that can take you anywhere in Vietnam and more importantly anywhere in the WORLD!
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