150cc motorcycles are the pillars of the small-engine industry and their versatility fuels their demand. They can be engineered to move at reasonably high speeds, in spite of the limitation of their engine size, but you may wonder just how fast a 150cc motorcycle can go.
A 150cc motorcycle can typically reach a top speed of about 70 mph (112 kph) depending on the motorcycle’s condition and the road. Most 150cc bikes are not designed to travel at speed for a long time because the extra heat and high rpm takes its toll on the bike, resulting in excessive engine wear.
The advantages of a 150cc motorcycle are numerous. Keep reading as we take a look at the workhorse of small-engine motorcycles, and how their popularity has grown all over the world because of the benefits they have to offer.
Overview Of 150cc Bikes
The abbreviation cc stands for ‘cubic centimeters’, which is the measure of the engine chamber. Generally, the higher the cc, the more powerful the bike, and its top speed is also often higher, although weight begins to play a part too. 150cc bikes are extremely popular across the globe for their low cost, low fuel consumption, and high reliability.
Motorcycles in the 100cc to 150cc category are sold with minimal accessories to keep their prices down, and they are designed to offer high fuel efficiency that makes them attractive to buyers with low budgets. The ideal application for these bikes is to be used for delivery, commuting, or for recreational riders who want their own personal transport.
Dirt bikes of 150cc and two-stroke engines are not covered here as they are generally used for racing offroad. Road motorcycles with two-stroke engines are not generally manufactured anymore, but can be purchased second-hand. These engines deliver higher power compared to the conventional four-stroke engine, but wear and tear is higher as well.
Accessories For 150cc Bikes
Manufacturers of 150cc bikes are targeting users who want to use the bike for delivery, to commute, or for recreational riding, and these users form the largest group of buyers in this engine category. Since they want maximum value at a low price, any accessories that aren’t essential are left out.
Accessories that are standard fittings on large engine bikes such as a navigational system, tachometer, and tripmeter aren’t usually required on a 150cc bike, and only add to the cost without providing much value to a budget bike.
Buyers who want to fit high-end accessories on a 150cc bike can source them online or from motorcycle dealers and have them fitted at a private repair shop. Just ensure that you are not violating the terms of the bike’s warranty when having them fitted.
Advantages & Disadvantages Of 150cc Motorcycles
Advantages Of 150cc Motorcycles
The Initial Cost Factor And The Recurring Cost Of Maintenance
Motorcycles of engine size below 350cc are generally used for transporting goods or as commuter bikes all over the world. The initial cost of purchase compared to a 350cc bike or a 500cc bike can be up to 50% less when new, making them a cost-effective solution.
After buying the motorcycle, the buyer needs to maintain it regularly, which adds to the cost of ownership. As long as the bike is not abused and gearbox oil changes are performed at the prescribed intervals, 150cc bikes require minimal maintenance. This is another factor that strongly influences buyers in its favor, as maintenance costs are fairly low.
Fuel Cost
150cc motorcycles are some of the most fuel efficient around. Their power output is decent too, making them suitable for all types of roads and small hills where smaller bikes and scooters struggle to climb. Fuel costs can be up to 30% more compared to a 100cc bike, but it is still far less than what a 350cc bike would use up.
Typical fuel consumption figures of a 150cc bike range from 90 to 130 mpg. Compared to an economical 350cc bike whose fuel consumption is about 95 mpg at the very most, it makes a lot of difference, especially over a long period of ownership.
Disadvantages Of 150cc Motorcycles
Low Power
Most users of 150cc motorcycles will never feel the lack of power, especially those who use them for commuting, and without a pillion passenger. These bikes are sadly inadequate when it comes to transporting two people at speed because they lack the power to accelerate when carrying weight. In a headwind, this effect gets magnified, forcing the bike to travel at low speed.
Where a 250cc bike or a 350cc bike would be able to move with ease, the 150cc bike struggles, but that is the tradeoff made when buying a small engine bike. 90% of the time a rider will not encounter situations where the bike is stressed and struggles to accelerate, but it is likely to happen at some point.
Low Weight
The weight of a bike plays a part in its stability and the average curb weight of a 150cc bike is about 270 lbs (120 kg). These bikes have thin tires, which are good enough for normal roads, but are lacking on dirt roads in the country where they can slip easily. As long as the rider is aware of this and takes care to ride safely, it isn’t a problem. Wet and muddy roads need extra care as well.
KEY POINTS
• 150cc bikes are capable of reaching speeds of up to 90 mph
• They’re mostly designed for commuters and delivery riders
• They aren’t very powerful, but they can be incredibly fuel efficient
Are 150cc Motorcycles Good For Beginners?
150cc motorcycles are excellent for beginners as they are not too heavy to ride and don’t have too much power that could get the beginner in trouble. A few years spent riding a 150cc bike will give the beginner enough experience and confidence to handle a bigger bike when the time comes.
Can You Take A 150cc Motorcycle On The Highway?
You can take a 150cc bike on the highway, but keep in mind that there are going to be vehicles traveling at high speed in both directions, so you need to have complete control of your bike. Most 150cc bikes will be able to go fast enough to allow you to remain comfortable on a highway.
Depending on your country, you will have to observe highway speed limits. In the UK, the speed limit is 60 mph (96 kph) on a single carriageway. The speed limit on a dual carriageway is 70 mph (112 kph). In the US, the speed limits can vary a lot by state, so always check before you go riding.
Aside from the top speeds, you also need to consider if your 150cc bike will be comfortable enough to ride on the highway at these speeds for a long time. If you’re used to using the bike for short commuter journeys at top speeds closer to 40-50 mph, the highway may not offer the most comfortable ride!
Speed Of 5 150cc Motorcycles Compared
| Motorcycle | Top Speed | Max Power |
| Honda CBR150 R | 68 mph / 109 kph | 18.3 HP |
| GPX Demon GR165R | 87 mph / 140 kph | 17.8 HP |
| Yamaha R15 V4 | 87 mph / 140 kph | 18.3 HP |
| Yamaha MT 15 | 80 mph / 129 kph | 18.1 HP |
| Suzuki Gixxer 150 | 71 mph / 115 kph | 13.4 HP |
On the surface, most of them appear to be roughly the same, but the GPX Demon GR165R is almost the same as the Honda CBR150 R in power output, but its top speed is almost 20 mph / 33 kph higher. The GR 165 R is liquid-cooled compared to the CBR 150R which is air-cooled. This allows it to run comfortably at much higher rpm than a bike which is air cooled, but it’s also more complex.
The two Yamahas have the best speed and power figures, matched only by the GPX Demon GR 165 R which is priced much lower and is manufactured in Thailand. With the exception of the Suzuki bike which costs the least, all of them have similar speed and power numbers. Obviously this is just a snapshot of the kinds of 150cc bikes that are out there.
What Is The Fastest 150cc Motorcycle?
The fastest 150cc motorcycle is likely something like a Yamaha R15 V4, which can reach a top speed of about 87 mph (140 kph). These bikes are designed for normal use where traveling at top speed is minimal, and so top speed should probably not be your main consideration when buying one.
Weight And Aerodynamics Affect Speed
This top speed is an ideal that can be expected under good conditions, but in real life there is going to be some degradation of speed due to the road condition or strong winds. Weight is another important factor that affects top speed. A bike carrying 250 lbs (115 kg) isn’t going to move as fast as a bike carrying 30% more weight.
When the weight of two people, its top speed and acceleration are going to be severely strained, and the bike is going to perform far below its optimal numbers. The bike is absolutely usable as long as you don’t expect it to run at its top speed when carrying much weight.
Aerodynamics
The aerodynamics of the bike play a part in its top speed as well. The higher the air resistance, the stronger the reduction in speed. This is the reason motorcycle racers hunch over their bikes, because it reduces the drag and allows them to go faster. A fairing is also fitted on the front of the motorcycle to further reduce air resistance.
On a bigger luxury bike the use of a fairing is justified, but on a 150cc budget bike, it would only add to the cost, and isn’t really required for the type of speeds a smaller bike moves at.
What To Consider When Buying A 150cc Motorcycle
Fuel Consumption & Power
The two most important figures in a 150cc motorcycle’s spec sheet are its fuel consumption and power output. Bikes that can deliver more power compared to others are going to need more maintenance and bikes with high fuel efficiency are more reliable. The reason is that these bikes are designed to run at lower rpm which in turn leads to less wear and tear.
The bike’s top speed is the last figure you should be looking at as it has little to no relevance in your day-to-day usage, but is shown by manufacturers for the few who want some speed. All of this is assuming that you’re a recreational rider, commuter, or want to use it for delivery. The power specs have some relevance only if two people are going to travel on it.
Maintenance Costs
A single person riding it has more than enough power than is required. More important than fuel efficiency is the recurring maintenance cost of servicing, part replacement, and repair. If you chose a low-rpm bike, your cost is going to be much less as long as you remember to change the gearbox oil regularly and clean then grease the chain.
In recent years, new manufacturers have sprung up offering these bikes at very low prices. The problem with them is that they have very few service centers, and availability of parts is a problem. Unless you have a service center located near you, stay away from them, and go for the more established names that may initially cost more, but cost less in the long run.
They’re Not Designed To Go Fast For Long
If you buy a 150cc motorcycle with the intention of using it to travel at top speed for a long time, then you need to be aware that its fuel consumption will be lower along with increased wear on the engine parts that may need replacement more frequently. 150cc engines cannot handle the high temperatures that are generated by high rpm, so need to be maintained regularly.
150cc bikes are not racing bikes that can tolerate the stresses imposed on them by traveling at peak speed for a long time. If you want a bike to do that, then go for an engine of higher capacity that can handle the stresses induced by high rpm and excessive heat. Engines to be used under those conditions are designed differently with more efficient cooling and are more complex.
When a bike has to endure high temperature with high speed over time, the result is increased wear leading to more frequent servicing and parts replacement. The immediately visible result is increased fuel consumption along with chain wear and other transmission issues caused by worn parts. When traveling at peak speed, all moving parts inside the engine and transmission have to work harder.
They’re Relatively Affordable
The 150cc engine category of motorcycles is the largest and most popular of all bikes manufactured with huge demand for these low-cost bikes that provide cheap transportation. Since these bikes typically cost 30% of a 350cc bike’s price and about half the price of a 250cc bike, they are fairly affordable. Their high fuel efficiency is an added bonus that attracts people to buy them.
These bikes typically work well with minimal maintenance, apart from the occasional gearbox oil change and chain greasing, which many people can do at home, thereby saving on service center costs. If you’re looking for your first budget bike, a 150cc motorcycle is a great place to start.
KEY POINTS
• 150cc motorcycles are great for beginners
• They’re fuel efficient and fairly affordable too
• It’s best to consider other factors in your purchasing decisions aside from top speed
Final Thoughts
150cc motorcycles can typically reach speeds of about 70-80 mph (112-130 kph), but they’re not designed to run at these speeds for too long. They’re ideal for commuters and delivery riders thanks to their relatively low power and maintenance costs, along with their high fuel efficiency.