Honda Philippines has just launched on its social media what may be its most versatile bike yet, the adventure-styled CB150X. Drawing many similarities with the popular CB500X big bike, the CB150X is the small-displacement version that may yet be the brand’s most sought-after bike yet for touring-focused riders. It’s powered by the now-familiar 149cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, fuel-injected single-cylinder motor rated at 15.4hp and 13.8Nm, mated to a six-speed transmission.

The bike also features an upright riding position, the de rigueur beak for adventure-bike bona fides, a raised handlebar, a sizable windscreen, a belly pan, a 12L tank, and a claimed fuel efficiency of 38km/L. A 7.13- inch ground clearance and a 31.7-inch seat height should allow it to clear moderately sized obstacles, while the long-travel Showa USD fork and the Pro-Link rear suspension should acquit the bike well.

However, the 100/70 R17 front and 130/70 R17 rear tire setup shows that the littlest “X” is a road-focused touring machine, with only modest capability for venturing onto rougher terrain. Unfortunately, ABS is not available to further assist the all-disc brakes. Curb weight of 139kg makes the Honda reasonably light, while some modern touches include an LCD dash and all-LED lighting.

Priced at P163,900, it will be interesting to see how many riders will spring for this bigger, small-displacement touring bike rather than going for a more conventional tourer like, say, a PCX160.