Go vroom this festive season: Top 5, 150cc bikes

As the festive season approaches, two-wheeler manufacturers are gearing up to give their best. One of the major segment of the industry - -- the 150cc motorcycles - -- is already on fire with lots of fresh offerings.

Let us look at the top 5 options in this category:

Suzuki Gixxer

Salman Khan who launched the Gixxer couldn't keep his hands off it; Photograph: Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com

Suzuki is all set to launch its new 150cc streetfighter -- Gixxer on September 9, 2014. The bike was unveiled in January and also exhibited at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo in February.

Recently, the company revealed the specifications and pricing of the bike.

Key features:

1. Lightest 154.9cc, 4-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine equipped with SEP technology.

2. The engine churns out 14.6bhp at 8,000rpm of maximum power and a peak torque of 14Nm at 6,000rpm.

3. It comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and uses a carburetor type fuel system.

4. Telescopic front forks and mono-shock rear suspension.

5. The front wheel gets a disc brake, while the rear comes equipped with a drum type braking system.

6. Other features of the bike are its fully digital console, wide 140/60 section rear tyre, masculine fuel tank, sporty muffler and 3-split-spoke alloys.

7. Suzuki Gixxer costs Rs 79,800 (on-road, New Delhi).

Yamaha FZ FI Version 2.0

FZ-S FI Version 2.0; Photograph: yamaha-motor-india.com

Yamaha launched a refreshed version of its popular 150cc bike series -- FZ on June 30, 2014. The new models received cosmetic as well as mechanical upgrades and are christened as FZ FI Version 2.0 and FZS FI Version 2.0. To dig deeper, let's check out its features and pricing.

Key features:

1. It gets the new 149cc, 4-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine equipped with Blue Core technology.

2. The Blue Core motor develops power up to 12.9bhp at 8,000rpm and the torque output goes up to 12.8Nm at 6,000rpm.

3. Mated to a 5-speed gearbox, an advance fuel injection system feeds the engine.

4. The front gets a couple of Telescopic forks and the rear gets a mono-cross suspension.

5. The bike gets a disc brake at the front, while a drum brake at the rear.

6. It also features a fully digital dash, massive tank cowls, sporty exhaust, muscular fuel tank and flamboyant exhaust pipe.

7. On-road price of the new Yamaha FZ FI Version 2.0 is around Rs 84,722 in Delhi.

Honda CB Trigger

Honda CB Trigger; Photograph: MotorBeam.com

Honda launched the CB Trigger, a 150cc premium bike as a replacement of the CB Unicorn Dazzler. The bike sports a streetfighter look with an ergonomic design, making it one of the best options for commuting.

Key features:

1. It gets a 149.1cc, 4-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine which claims a healthy mileage up to 60kmpl.

2. The engine develops a maximum power of 14bhp at 8,500rpm and a top torque of 12.5Nm at 6500rpm.

3. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox and uses a carburetor type fuel system.

4. It comes with a pair of telescopic forks at the front while a mono-shock suspension at the rear.

5. Standard model gets a disc and a drum type braking system at front and rear respectively. However, the DLX model comes with dual disc brakes whereas CBS model gets Combined Braking System assistance.

6. Other attractive features include LED tail lamp, fully digital instrument panel and inevitable square section exhaust muffler.

7. Cost of the Honda CB Trigger starts from Rs 73,057 and goes up to Rs 83,060 (on-road, Delhi).

Hero MotoCorp Xtreme

Hero MotoCorp Xtreme; Photograph: heromotocorp.com/xtreme

World's largest two wheeler manufacturer -- Hero MotoCorp launched the all new Xtreme on April 21, 2014. The refreshed model boasts a sportier impression over its previous generation and gets several advance features.

Key features:

1. The new Xtreme houses a 149.2cc, 4-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine equipped ATFT (Advanced Tumble Flow Technology).

2. It produces 14.2bhp of maximum Power at 8500rpm and 12.8Nm of Peak Torque coming at 6500rpm.

3. The engine comes with 5-speed gearbox and CCVI Carburetor Controlled fuel system with Variable Ignition.

4. It gets telescopic front forks and 5-step adjustable twin-shocks at the rear with gas reservoir.

5. The bike gets a 240mm disc brake at the front, while an optional 220mm disc brake at rear in place of a 130mm drum brake.

6. Advance features of the bike include under-seat charging point, analog-digital dash with space age designing and highbrow positioning lamps.

7. The on-road price of the new Hero Xtreme starts at Rs 73,698 while the double disc version costs Rs 79,223 (both prices are on-road, Delhi).

Bajaj Pulsar 150

Bajaj Pulsar 150; Photograph: bajajauto.com

Bajaj also refreshed India's most popular sports bike -- Pulsar 150 DTS-i with the exciting new dual tone colour scheme. The bike is now available in hree sporty colour options -- Pearl Metallic White, Sapphire Blue and Cocktail Wine Red.

Key features:

1. The bike retains the same 149cc, 4-stroke, single-cylinder DTS-i engine with ExhausTEC.

2. Power output of the bike goes up to 14.8bhp at 9,000rpm and torque delivery is up to 12.5Nm at 6,500rpm.

3. Linked to a 5-speed gearbox, the bike uses a carburetor fuel system.

4. It rests on telescopic forks at the front while Nitrox suspensions at the rear.

5. The bike comes equipped with 240mm ventilated disc brake at the front and a 130mm drum brake at the rear.

6. Other key features include clip-on handle bars, easy to read analog-digital console and ergonomic design.

7. The cost of new dual tone painted Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTS-i is around Rs 73,125 (on-showroom, Delhi).