Modenas GT150R vs. Honda RS 150 vs. Yamaha Y15ZR vs. Benelli RFS150i

This post originally meant for Honda RS150 that i tested at Honda Dealer in Jln Klang Lama.

But then i thought why not compares it with the mighty Y15ZR (coz they have won 2 cubprix race) and the underdog Benelli RFS150i and much awaited Modenas GT150R?

Honda RS150

2017 should be great for Boon Siew Honda Malaysia. Not only their baby SuperKIPS's success in Moto3 but their Y15ZR killer model.

Back in 90's, Honda are unable to beat Yamaha Y100/SS110/SS2 and Suzuki's Techno laden RG110/RGV120/FX125 with their Honda Hurricane 110 and followed with NX105.  Sales were not promising as less techy model were brought in as compared to the Thai's line-up.

Not anymore in the 20's i would dare to say. 

With its DOHC 150cc PGM-FI engine, this is a prominent threat to SOHC 150cc Yam Y15ZR and it did steals the sales pie considerabally albeit with its traditional moped design. Moreover with Y15ZR (Yamaha should have some figures) publically known problem with its one-way bearing, it hinders the attention to bring this handsomely design bike to home.

However, I read in Y15 FB group that this issue has been rectified for 2017 production model somehow.  I personally contacted HLY Sg Buloh and ask about this one-way bearing thingy.  The guy told me that the problem might be caused by non-genuine engine oil (EO) and non-official factory oil filter. 

So, please be careful with fake EO and parts.

MM 93 and Dani 26 wannabe version.

So, what do you get with this RS? Obviously  a reported top speed of 146kmh (not GPS speed) will be the killing factor over Y15ZR's much lower top speed. 

Is that making RS the King of Speed of all Supermopeds? 

(interestingly people do buy for the speed factor)

Not anymore as the new contenders arrive in quite a style and anticipation too.

The Benelli RFS 150i!!!

With the bold and dare(?) tagline Rider For Speed (RFS) with acclaimed 140-150kmh speed, this first China+Italian design supermoped (yes, it was launched for the Asean/world market first in Malaysia) is ready to rumble with RS150 and Y15ZR plus the forthcoming Modenas GT150R.

RFS has slightly higher Hp of 15.7hp as compared to RS and Y15ZR plus with its unique ECU controlled sparks by 3 spark plugs that promise fuel efficiency and a bit more oommphh in power. I do suspected that this 3 sparks thingy have to do with tightier emission control in select countries. (My TNT135 is twin spark)

Then what else?

Price!!!

It is cheaper than RS and Y15 at below 7k before GST and OTR cost.

USD Fork

The first feature in its class. There is also a slot available at left fork should you want to have a double disc brake combo at front. Y15 and RS (Showa) use conventional fork. 

Will it beat the sales of RS or Y15?

Hard to say. Honestly. Benelli has the right recipes on the kitchen floor but it may not translated to long que of people wanting to have its tastes. 

Why?

Perceived brand recognition.

Malaysia is perhaps the second house for Honda and Yamaha. My father and my grandfather use Honda too and Honda are known for their reliability (at that point of time) and trustworthy companion for daily activities. 

So for a target group of my generation might go for RS or Y15. Younger generation may behave differently where brand perception is much less of concerned. The features such as the fastest speed may lure them to pen down Aeon Loan.

There 3 spark plugs also raised the concern (by people post in FB) of more maintaining needed as opposed to one spark plug in RS and Y15ZR. 

Well, the DTSi system in Benelli will not fire all the 3 spark plugs at once but much depending on speed algorithmed by its ECU. I am sure Benelli team already expect this kind of concerns and have study the cost effect with this DTSi system.

So Mr Ben (my good friend Hasanul Isyraf use to call his Benelli TNT600 160k km trouble free bike) ought to have a near zero tolerance in faults or defects in assembly line or from its parts vendors. 

Any mishaps will be up online in social media and might tarnished the brand perception. Look what it did to Y15ZR one-way bearing situation. Potential buyer do run away and make do with RS150. 

So that is all about RFS.

Next,

Modenas GT150R(?)

Malaysian is patriotic. Me too as i bought Kriss 1 ( for its low price factor too :) )

But they do not do well recently doesnt they in terms of holding its market shares. 

They have new generation of bike with the strike of Ace 115 and CT115. Does it enough to beat Lagenda Z or even Sym cheap range of cubchais? 

Dinamik 120 or MR1 saves them i think. 

And they could have been save more by with help of New Karisma 125cc, the Elegan 250 and  Kymco licensed Downtown 250i scooter 

plus

GT150R Supermoped!!!

I purposely give the nickname to this long long long awaited national made 150cc supermoped as i am too tired of waiting ha3.

GT150R is not a well kept secret mind you! Modenas itself mention that they already sent their engineers to Austria for this 150cc engine project (i forgot in which year). So every nationalist are eagerly waiting to see the new birth of first national made supermoped.

...and eagerly waited they did till RS and Y15 or perhaps RFS is parked at their home.

To make it much more miserable, the news from a wide known automotive FB page mentioned that there are not going to be any 150cc model by big M as the project is 'tak jadi'. 

I was quite surprised! 

This is not for real...our market longing for 150cc supermoped and it would be much a respect if our big M have this on their newly launched (MR2) line-up.

I do somehow 'provoked' the admin for Modenas FB page from time to time purposely to make him/her release the biggest puzzle of all Modenas new bike launches saga.

He did. Finally. 

Mentioning that Modenas will air the announcement about their 150cc supermoped and asked us to wait.

Will it finally be on Modenas dealer?

Or will it be kept in the 'tak jadi jual' 3D arch file?

Let us wait again as Modenas need to be a step higher than what a RS150, Y15ZR and RFS150i could offer...or at least be in the same party and hope pricing factor will favor them.

Fingers crossed!!!

Conclusion:

1) Buy any brand you like if you are a certain die hard brand fella. You wont go wrong.

2) Buy based on your liking to design.

3) Buy based on your preferred top speed.

4) Buy based on vast availability of spare parts or aftermarket parts.

5) Buy based on MotoGP or Cub Prix rider you like.

6) Buy based on cheaper price either cash or Aeon installment.

7) Buy based on more Hp or Torque or certain unique specifications.

8) Buy based on response to your post  in certain FB group.

9) Buy based on automotive journo reports.

10) Buy based on how comfort your passenger is.

11) Buy based on popularity or your neighboor at your taman/flat/apartment have one too

12) Buy based on the less popularity amongst thieves

13) .....and the list goes on and on...

P.s:

Price is different according to location and do not be surprised should Klang Valley quoted wayyy more than suggested retail price. 

Happy Hunting.

Ismadi Ahmad