The "Underbone" segment or widely known as "mopeds" or in Malaysia it is referred as "Kapchai" is a segment that has been established for quite a while especially in the Asian region. Countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar and as such have great demands for this segment hence resulting the various models being manufactured by motorcycle companies worldwide.
Coherent to the launches of these models, racing segmentation of similar category; the Cub Prix has been introduced making the moped scene more merrier than ever. Every corner of the streets you may see these models being ridden by adolescents as it is more affordable than a quarter litre bike in such countries.
However, domination of certain motorcycle companies in this segment was inevitable as the success of these models were not just measured by the success in the Cub Prix, but it is also measured by the on-going demands of the users. Models such as Yamaha RX-Z, Yamaha Z125 or the 150cc Yamaha Y15ZR have been the key players in this segment for many years now.
But not until last year, the market for the Yamaha Y15ZR has been compromised by the launch of the Honda RS150R. The engine performance is way much better than the Yamaha Y15ZR; and this is definitely a blow to Yamaha especially when their models are being affected by a manufacturing design defect for the oil pump and clutch pressure plates (some cases have been reported for the Y15ZRs and most are found for R25s). This was probably the best move Honda has ever made to counter the domination of the Y15ZR for the 150cc segment. Anywhere you go to get this model, you would have to wait approximately around 7 to 14 days. Some acquaintances have informed me that they had to wait for 2 months!
The Yamaha Y15ZR definitely has won the design as it is more appealing than a normal-looking-boring-moped-like RS150R. The true potential of this model is definitely not portrayed by its looks, but instead, the reliability and engine performance which I could summarize personally : is the best moped engine around. You may read the specs comparison :
http://paultan.org/2016/10/28/honda-...-yamaha-y15zr/
Will this bike enters the US market? Do you want one?
