Yamaha Sniper 150 - Pros & cons

There is no wonder why this sports bike got the attention of Italian professional motorcycle road racer Valentino Rossi. The Yamaha Sniper 150 was fashioned to conquer both the race tracks and highways. Undoubtedly, it was built to amaze not just the daily commuters but also those who are in the motorcycle racing industry.

Equipped with a 150 cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke, four-valve SOHC gasoline engine, the Yamaha Sniper 150 can put out a maximum power of 15.4 horsepower at 8500 rpm and 13.8 Nm torque at 7000 rpm. It employs a 5-speed constant mesh manual transmission and dons a sporty 90/80-17M/C 46P tubeless tire for the front and 120/70-17M/C 58P tubeless tire for the rear.

Just by the first impression, you can already see that this bike is a definite look-a-like of the Yamaha R-series as it imbibes the sporty, sinister, and aggressive outlook of both YZF R1 and YZF R6, thus, implying utmost power and riding performance.

As one of the most popular underbones in the local motorcycle scene, it is just right that we take a look at the hits and misses of the Japanese automaker, Yamaha when it comes to their Sniper 150.

Pros of Sniper 150

When it comes to the key features, the Sniper 150 makes a fair battleground against Suzuki Raider R150 and Honda RS150. Let’s take a look at the advantages of having this famous underbone:

Performance

This sports class bike can fire up a maximum speed of 15 horsepower at 8500 rpm and can reach up to 35 kilometer per liter in the city and 46 kilometer on highways. Thus, this motorbike can cover a distance of 160 - 189 kilometers. It is not just ideal for thoroughfares but also on race tracks. It is also dubbed as the most powerful cub class bike in its segment that sets the competition among the 150 cc sports bike into another level.

Comfort

Most people who are into motorcycles make it a point that their unit will be comfortable to ride. If you choose to have an edgy and powerful unit that you can use for daily rides, the Sniper 150 can be of great help. The seat is adequately cushioned for comfortable seating and since the saddle is 31.2 inches high, it is well compatible with the average height of Filipinos so you wouldn’t have to worry about backaches while riding this motorbike. In addition, the center tunnel was made to be easily gripped by your knees and thighs that translates to better handling of the motorcycle as well. The middle cowl design was also structured to be aerodynamic to reduce the drag as you ride the motorcycle.

Design

The fusion of fascinating design and top-caliber performance is what the Sniper 150 is all about. You can tell just by seeing the front apron of this famous underbone that its creator spent ample time to conceptualize the outlook very well. The sporty stance of this motorcycle also creates a powerful aura that can truly manifest while it conquers the local highway, moreover, making it a real head-turner on the road. The Sniper 150 colors options include Race Blu, Black Rave, Yellow Hornet, and Matte Green.

Additional features

Daytime running lamps, a triple lamp LED headlight, LED position lights, and the full LCD meter panel are just so hard not to notice. These additional features may be a common inclusion nowadays but for a sporty underbone, it is definitely a major plus. Yamaha Sniper 150 specs sheet also features a passing light, fully electric start, engine kill switch, and hazard indicators.

Affordability

Yamaha Sniper 150 price stands at Php 102,900 only. Say what? Yes, this is a very affordable sporty motorcycle that you can use on both racing and daily commutes. Although it is Php 3,100 higher than its predecessor, the 2020 model is packed with the larger front tire, revised front apron, updated styling and decals, as well as LED headlamps. Thus, it still makes a very good catch for those who like to keep their daily rides sleek and sporty through having their own motorcycle without burning a hole in their pocket.

Cons of Yamaha Sniper 150

To keep it balance, let’s also look at some of the minor setbacks of this motorcycle:

Safety features

Yamaha Sniper 150 may be a little lacking in the safety department. With the presence of Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) this sports bike could have been a little more interesting. Although it may also increase the price a little bit, this still could have been a great addition to the famous underbone. But still, kudos for the automaker for including at least a stability control feature for enhanced cruising experience for the city, highways, and offroading as well as engine check warning and shutter lock in the vehicle.

Rear part of the motorcycle

With the plethora of unique designs in the front apron, it almost seemed that the automakers have forgotten the rear portion of the motorcycle. There is not much going on right there and might have been improved given that it was essentially based on the design of the R-Series.

Storage

While it is marketed as a sporty motorcycle for daily commuters, it lacks in terms of luggage hooks and under-seat storage. This might be quite a deal breaker especially if you need the motorcycle for storage of small stuff while riding. 

It is safe to say that the Yamaha Sniper 150 is a great investment for a sporty looking motorbike. Despite the minor disadvantages, we can definitely see that Yamaha put effort into creating an underbone that is not just beneficial for daily commuters but also an ideal winning ride for professional motorcycle road racing. With the affordable price and reliable driving performance, you can definitely set this as one of your choices for motorcycles in the 150 cc segment like the Suzuki Raider R150 and Honda RS150R.

Ready to make the right choice? Get a test drive now at your nearest motorcycle dealer store and see what fits your taste well.

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Also read: Yamaha Sniper 150 - All you need to know