With the recent launch of the 2018 SYM VF3i, stakes in the Malaysian supercub category have been raised a fair bit, the VF3’s 183 cc single-cylinder engine eclipsing local competition. Launched at a price of RM8,467, including GST, the VF3i’s rivals in the market include the Yamaha Y15ZR at RM8,361, the Honda RS150R at RM8,478 and the Benelli RFS150i at RM7,778.
By the numbers, the VF3i clearly stands head and shoulders above its supercub brethren, with 17.7 hp at 8,500 rpm and 15.3 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm. This compares against the average of 15 hp and 13 Nm torque produced by the VF3i’s competition, with EFI being standard across the board.
In the weight, the Y15ZR is the diet champion, weighing a mere 115 kg against the others, the VF3i coming in at 124 kg, with the RS150R at 123 kg and the RFS150i at 126 kg. However, in the gearing stakes, the Y15ZR has only a five-speed box, versus the six-speeders found in the other supercubs.
As for braking, the VF3i comes out tops with a dual-piston calliper grabbing a 250 mm diameter brake disc in front, compared to the 240 mm diameter and dual-piston calliper on the RFS150i. Meanwhile the Y15ZR and RS150R are sized similarly in terms of brake disc diameter, clamped by a single-piston caliper.
When it comes to fuel tank capacity, the VF3i comes with a 7-litre tank under the seat, which SYM says gives some 170 km of range, whereas the rest of the field come with 4-litre fuel tanks. LED lighting all round, with DRL, is also standard for the VF3i, compared to the halogen headlights on the Yamaha and Benelli (the Honda has an LED headlight).
The RFS150i wins out in the suspension stakes, with its 88 mm travel upside-down fork, the other supercubs using conventional telescopic forks. In the rear, a monoshock is standard, although the VF3i omits any sort of pre-load adjustment, a feature found in its competition.
Odd one out in the area of warranty is Yamaha, with its 1 year or 10,000 km limit for the Y15ZR, with the rest of the supercubs offering a 2 year or 20,000 km warranty. So, dear reader, what do you think, based on the numbers?
Which of these supercubs would be your pick? We will be getting our hands on the 2018 SYM VF3i for review soon, and will see how it does in the hands of our test riders.
GALLERY: 2018 SYM VF3i
GALLERY: Yamaha Y15ZR
GALLERY: Honda RS150R
GALLERY: Benelli RFS150i
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Suzuki Belang 150 should be here too. I blame the Belang for all this super-underbone madness! Hahaa..
We would have liked to include the Suzuki Belang R150, but being air-cooled and carbureted, it would be out-classed against the competition.
Well it had DOHC. Pity Suzuki does not want to sell small bikes in malaysia
suzuki belang 150 is oil cooled
suzuki belang = oil cooled + dohc
The belang technology too old
bro…Honda rs150 fitted with LED Headlight…
Yup. The article alredi said so
thanks mohan for the comparison. i would be better if the top speed is also included in the table (both meter and gps top speeed.
Ex5 is enough la…why need expensive kapcai….still wet when rain
We riders like the freedom to get wet without damaging our vehicles. Car drivers cannot get wet while driving, unless they want to spend time and money cleaning up the interior of their cars.
To each his own.
Ex5 enough for you coz no matter what, u will get wet when it’s raining
Because there are someone out there who wants to get wet in the rain, but in speed
motorcycle weakness is only when it come to rain. Other than that, i dont see at all
that’s cheap that RM8K can get a motorbike.
When modenas 150 will come out?
Soalan cepu emas! Hahaha
Sym not allow the owner to cut the tail n just maintain the stock plate holder…huhu
Another thing sym remove the headlight switch, so sad
It’s a small matter. Y so sad
Can’t help but notice the big gap between the seat and the body panel on the VF3i that makes it looks like the seat is not fully locked down and also exposing internal gaps between adjoining body panels. It’s either a design mistake or an assembly defect. Quite an eyesore to an otherwise a good looking bike.
after this a shootout !!
Please try to compare all model together with insurance 1st party all rider , 2cnd party all rider and 3rd party single or all rider see how much the differences will be , this is where the hidden charges that we dont know. and the price is totally high then we expected.
7 litres fuel tank! Wow, this does really help.
fuel tank 7lt 170km range 4lt/100km no thanks
7ly tank170km 4lt/100km no thanks
Suzuki fx125 convert fxr150 that go for 20hp as a standard still the 4 stroke doch 6 speed 150cc ,,,,for upgrade n more potencial increasing doch still my choice…but now honda rs150 seem the great choice….pebarang soch ! Suzuki belang are great but it design not so desireable….plus it small size that only suit small people….it so funny when 6 ft rider ride a belang !
So in the end, which one is the best to buy?
I need to buy one motor for work from Cheras to PJ.
Cheras – PJ, Modenas MR2 sufficient..
I have own the vf3i se for 4 days now. The mileage it can go with full tank from gerik perak pass the gerik jeli titiwangsa hill and to bachok kelantan. It take only 2 bar of fuel to pass that gerik jeli hill and use the rest of bar to reach bachok and refuelling for 6.4litre fuel at jelawat bachok… pretty convenient. The power is there with my bodyweight of 112kg, it give me a smooth ride during hill climbing and hairpin cornering. The bike still in limit of 1000km so i haven’t try to push the engine so much just ride below 6krpm with speed around 80-90km/hr. Compare to my fz150i… this bike is much more comfortable to ride long distant, good handling and more power to climb that hill.
How far the bike goes for 6.4 liters of petrol
From his description of riding from Gerik to Bachok its about 220km if u check on Waze. With 6.4l consumed the assumed fuel consumotion is about 34km/l.
A little high for a cub I think…
he was crossing a mountain range.. bro. superbikes, cars or lorries also should bear the burdens