Yamaha Sniper 150 - Top 3 alternatives

The enthusiasts of the underbone market have definitely taken a shine to the Yamaha Sniper 150. But this segment has become a hotbed of competition in an extremely short amount of time. While the Yamaha has been extremely popular, it faces intense competition from some of the biggest players in the business. The current scenario looks like a recreation of the rivalry between the biggest Japanese motorcycle manufacturers albeit in a fun-sized version. So, if for any reason you do not want the Yamaha Sniper 150 for yourself, here are some alternatives that are just as good, if not better.

Suzuki Raider R150:

The Suzuki Raider R150 enjoys a cult following in the Philippines. Before landing on our shores, it had seen similar success and popularity in other markets as well. Its popularity owes itself to some very distinct aspects. First of all is the styling is inspired by Suzuki’s bigger bikes and their racing heritage. Depending on the color options you can also have one with wheels and engine components painted in a metallic copper like shade. The stance of the bike itself is very race inspired and low slung. The riding position is also somewhat extreme and causes the rider to hunker down on it.

The Raider is also very lightweight at just 106 kg. The engine also packs a lot of punch. It is a 147.33 cc oil-cooled, 4-Valve, DOHC (twin cam) single cylinder makes 15.42 hp at 9500 rpm and 12.4 Nm of torque at 8500 rpm. Reaching its top speed of 160 kmph then is child’s play. Stopping duty is done by wavy discs on both wheels. On top of these, it also comes with sizable underseat storage, a keyhole shutter, and an engine cowl. It does, however, suffer from low mileage at 30-35 kmpl. A new one will set you back by Php 96,900.

Honda RS150R:

The Honda RS150R has always felt like a black sheep when it came to performance underbones. But the new RS150 for the year 2018 seems to bring about a change. First off it makes the old bike look like a scooter by comparison. It is much more aggressive, modern, and sporty design that not only improves the previous model but also raises the bar for its competitors. Let’s face it, the Sniper and the Raider have not undergone any major upgrades since their launch. Honda has now thrown its newly redesigned gauntlet into the ring. The new design incorporates a more aggressive riding position, automatic LED lighting, clip-on handlebars, gear indicator, and a completely digital instrument panel.

The engine is hi-tech too. The lightweight 111 kg bike uses a 4 valve, liquid cooled, fuel injected DOHC 150 cc engine. It produces 15.42 hp at 9000 rpm and 13.5 Nm of torque at 6000 rpm. Using a 6-speed gearbox, it also gets more usability from the power band. The radiator fan also automatically turn on once the engine temperature reaches 106 degrees. These features make the RS150 certainly the most advanced underbone currently in the market. With a price tag ranging from Php 94,000 to Php 97,000, it is not an expensive purchase over its competitors either.

Suzuki Gixxer:

Yes, this is a motorcycle and not an underbone. But the jump from a performance underbone to a motorcycle is not that hard to make. The floorboards of these underbones are not exactly usable and their underseat storage compartments are not much better either. At the same time, modern 150 cc motorcycles are similarly priced, lightweight, and have bigger fuel tanks. Not to mention, they have higher mileage, more power, and are more suited for the intense riding that riders are likely to expose them to. Scooters will always fall short on the performance aspect of the idea. Additionally, at this engine capacity, they will often veer off to higher priced tourer kind of scoters anyways.

So, the logical thing to do would be to go out and get something like the Suzuki Gixxer. Specifically designed for the ASEAN market, this compact 155 cc motorcycle has everything you want from a beginner bike. Its chiselled and muscular styling, small triangular headlight, and compact dual type exhaust hint towards its street naked character. The instrument cluster is a completely digital affair and includes a gear and rpm indicator. The air cooled and carbureted engine produces 14.6 hp at 8000 rpm and 14 Nm of torque at 6000 rpm. While the power might seem modest at best, a decent amount of it is available fairly early on. This makes it good for city driving while the 5-speed transmission ensures optimal use of the engine’s performance without compromising the bike’s fuel efficiency. That fuel efficiency can easily range from 50-60 kmpl depending on your riding style.

So, if you are a biking enthusiast on a budget, there is no need to despair. The market has a few options that it would like you to consider.