Is Honda's new underbone targeting the Yamaha Sniper?

Vietnam's Winner X, could be the Philippines' next Wave 150i or RS 150R

Next to the Cub, the Honda Wave is arguably another Honda legend in the making. It endures the toughest conditions and is quite reliable. It's been in the market for almost 25 years and is the most copied motorcycle by Chinese manufacturers, because of its simplicity and toughness, often down to the last bolt.

However, with newer, sportier competitors like the Yamaha Sniper and Suzuki Raider R150 in the underbone class, both sporting 150cc engines, can the Wave still make a splash in this segment?

Honda certainly thinks so, but with a major styling upgrade.

Speculations over the Honda Wave's long overdue update have been circulating for some time now. Many Honda Wave enthusiasts believe that the Winner X could inherit the Wave name here in the Philippines.

Launched just this weekend in Vietnam, the Honda Winner X is a 150cc, liquid-cooled, sport-underbone that shares the same engine as the CBR150R. The Winner X is also available in other South East Asian markets under different names: Supra GTR in Indonesia; and RS 150R in Malaysia. Honda claims that the Winner X is capable of producing 16.3 Ps (16 Hp) and it is currently Honda's most powerful underbone motorcycle to date. 

As with newer Honda motorcycle models, the Winner X is fitted with all-LED lighting and a fully digital instrument panel. It rides on alloy wheels and comes with a sporty exhaust pipe. According to Vietnamese motorcycle news sites, the Winner X will be offered in both ABS (front wheel only) and non-ABS versions. It will also going to be equipped with Honda's Combi-Braking system (non-ABS only) that activates both the front and rear brakes with just a squeeze of the front lever. 

The new Honda Winner X will be offered in Vietnam in seven color combinations. The top-spec model will have a price tag of 49-million dong or roughly PhP107,500 when converted directly.

Honda Philippines has already teased the silhoutte of this bike in their social media page. Could this be the successor to the Wave or a new RS 150?