Test Drive: HONDA SUPRA GTR150

Reviewed by Gilbert Chao | Photos by Kit Pilla

A Sport Underbone is a delightfully paradoxical machine. A performance motorcycle sold under the commuter segment, it’s a niche market within a budget-sensitive customer base. Hence, most manufacturers only have one or two of these bikes in their stable. Yet, they pour in massive efforts in securing a big slice of the relatively small pie because Sport Underbones not only vie for a position in the cutthroat motorcycle industry, they also win trophies for their respective brands on the race track. Case in point, the Honda Supra GTR 150.

DESIGN 4 / 5

A name that sounds like a combination of two popular performance cars should already be indicative of the Supra GTR150’s sporty nature, but the aerodynamic silhouette and the aggressive lines ensure that you make no mistake. From the tire hugger front fender to the upswept muffler, you’ll know it’s meant to be ridden hard on the pavement. The rear winkers, separated from the tail light, give additional road presence while the sleek pillion pegs exude a premium feel. The discreetly positioned radiator and integrated undercowl complement an overall design that is well put together. No component seems out of place.

Full digital meter panel

HARDWARE 2.5 / 5

The Supra GTR150 is propelled by a liquid-cooled, 4-valve, single-cylinder engine, which produces 11.5-kilowatts of power and 13.6-newton-meters of torque. With performance as its major selling point, the Supra GTR150 is equipped with some features that are fairly common in motorcycles in this price range, such as an LED headlight, digital instrument panel, and a pair of disc brakes. It would have been nice to have an anti-lock brake system, but Honda threw in a bank angle sensor instead. It is an automated safety system that shuts off the engine when the motorcycle’s bank angle exceeds 51 degrees on either side. Well, at least you won’t have to chase your bike after you’ve fallen off the saddle.

Sport muffler

USER EXPERIENCE 4 / 5

I’d give it 5 stars if it is to be used as a track bike exclusively. In the real world, however, there some things left to be desired. I totally get the firm saddle and stiff suspension, but I began questioning myself after half an hour on the road. Having a tank between the legs would have helped as I was constantly sliding down the seat towards the front. But alas, this is an underbone after all. Maybe such things were just not designed for lanky, middle-aged riders like yours truly. Yet, whenever I found myself on an open stretch of road, I twist the throttle, and suddenly things make sense. I forgot about joint discomfort and lower back pain: all that remained, a feeling of visceral joy and a propensity to hooliganism. On second thought, maybe the Supra GTR150 is designed specifically for weary old dudes.

Pillion step

As for young novice riders, they might find the friction zone of the manual clutch a bit narrow or small. Pay extra attention to your throttle input so as not to stall the bike during take-off, especially on an inclined road. I use second gear when on a level surface because the first gear has loads of torque, and it requires a good amount of finesse to keep the bike from jerking forward. Good thing the digital display has a gear indicator. While it was fairly easy to modulate the brakes, I’d still feel more confident about riding the bike to the limit if it had ABS.

VALUE 2.5 / 5

At PHP 102,900, you’d be forgiven for expecting more features that offer convenience and creature comforts like a smart key system or a slipper clutch, maybe. The Supra GTR150 rides on its promise of performance and, on that, it delivers with flying colors. If that alone is enough for you to justify forking over six figures, then, by all means, do so. You won’t have any regrets there.

6-speed DOHC 4-valve liquid-cooled engine

WHAT’S HOT

• Build quality.

• Class-leading performance

WHAT’S NOT

• No under-seat compartment

• No ABS

Aerodynamic body design

BOTTOMLINE

An absolute crotch rocket that could double as a commuter