PHP Merkaba Plus 150

Naked Sports such as the PHP Merkaba Plus 150 are becoming more and more popular in Bangladesh. This is due a growing number of youngsters opting for motorcycles. Naked Sports give youngsters a feel of speed and control at the same time. Due to Japanese bikes being a bit expensive, underdogs such as PHP, Lifan, GPX are also being able to compete in the market. Here we will be talking about the PHP Merkaba Plus 150.

PHP is one of the largest conglomerates of Bangladesh. They have over 30 companies under their wings. PHP Automobiles Ltd. is also the country’s first automobile assembling organization. PHP is a Bangladeshi brand that produces motorcycles of their own, which include the chassis being made here in Bangladesh.

Key Features:
The PHP Merkaba Plus 150 comes with a modern and sporty design. The bike comes with a long single seat with the pillion section a bit elevated to give a sporty look. The bike also has a very attractive exhaust design, which adds to the sporty profile. There are also air scoops at the front which makes the bike look fiercer.

The PHP Merkaba Plus 150 comes in two attractive colors. They are:
Blue.
Red.
Both colors have similar decals and design.

The PHP Merkaba Plus 150 comes with a full halogen light setup. The front comes with a halogen headlight, which is not much, but the large reflector might help. The taillight is also bulb, as well as the indicators. The bike is fairly visible, but if the lights were LED, that would have helped make the bike more attractive and visible.

The PHP Merkaba Plus 150 also comes with a very informative instrument cluster. The instrument cluster includes a speedometer, an RPM counter, an odometer, and other necessary indicators. The bike also has a gear position indicator, which is great for beginners.

Physical Attributes:
The PHP Merkaba Plus 150 is a short bike with a short saddle height of 750mm. The bike is suitable for people who are shorter than 5’7”, as people taller than that would have a hard time adjusting to the bike. The bike also has a 14liter fuel capacity, which is quite large considering the segment.

The length, width, height, and weight of the PHP Merkaba Plus 150 are 2071mm, 730mm, 1110mm, and 112kg respectively. The bike is one of the lightest, if not the lightest, bikes in the 150cc segment, which makes it easy to flick and swerve. The bike also has a wheelbase of 1290, which is not the best for cornering, but makes it quite nimble.

Engine and Transmission:
The PHP Merkaba Plus 150 comes with a single-cylinder, 4-stroke, and 149.2cc air-cooled engine. There are both self and kick-start of the bike. The engine pumps out a maximum of 8.5kW of power at 8500rpm and 11Nm of torque at 7500rpm. The maximum torque and power kick in quite late in this bike, which makes it rather fuel-efficient. Although it is a carburetor engine, it claims to consumes 50kmpl of fuel in average.

The PHP Merkaba Plus 150 comes with a basic wet, multi-plate clutch. The bike also has a 5-speed gearbox, which has a linear power delivery to the engine. The bike is expected to have a top speed of about 105kmph.

Brakes, Suspensions, and Wheels:
The PHP Merkaba Plus 150 comes with a single-disc setup. The front has a disc while the rear has a drum brake. The front brakes work well. The rear brake would have been better if it were a disc. The bike also does not get ABS or CBS, which is a bit disappointing.

The PHP Merkaba Plus 150 comes with telescopic forks at the front as suspension. The front suspension works well on bumpy roads. The rear has a 5-step adjustable dual shock absorber setup. Although the rear suspension is not a mono-shock, but the adjustability allows the rider to adjust the suspension according to the road type.

The PHP Merkaba Plus 150 comes with alloy wheels. The front and rear wheels have 2.75-18 and 3.00-18 section tires. The rear tire being a bit thin, the bike may skid during emergency braking situations. The tire would have been better if they were 3.5-18.

Pros and Cons:
A manufacturer does not want to make an imperfect bike, but like all bikes, even the PHP Merkaba Plus 150 is not perfect.
Pros
Lightweight.
Healthy ergonomics.
Large fuel tank.
Stylish.
Cons
Weak rear brake.
Thin rear tire.
Not very powerful.

Target Audience:
The PHP Merkaba Plus 150 was made for the young new riders in the block. The bike may not be the best for highway rides but is good for regular commutes and rides around the city. For new riders, this bike is forgiving. With adjustable rear suspension, and low saddle height, this bike is perfect for new riders who are still learning. They will also not get overwhelmed when riding this bike, as the power of the bike is low.

Competitors:
The PHP Merkaba Plus 150 has a few competitors and they are capable of giving this bike a run for its money.
Bajaj Pulsar 150 series.
Apache RTR 150 series.
Benelli TNT 150.
Hero Hunk series.

All in all, the PHP Merkaba Plus 150 is a good 150cc naked sports commuter bike within the 150cc to 165cc range. The bike is expected to hold up the PHP name with its features and affordability. The PHP Merkaba Plus 150 is a good sports commuter for the daily commuter out there.