Is Yamaha XSR 155 Coming To India Finally?

Yamaha isn’t the most enthusiastic when it comes to bringing new motorcycles for Indians. Over the last five years, the FZ-S, FZ-X, R15 V4.0 and MT-15 V2.0 have taken care of the company’s innings in India – a market that has seen a steady growth in motorcycling culture in the same time period. Imported models like the R3 and MT-03 have tried to put up competition with motorcycles like the Aprilia RS457 and Kawasaki Ninja 500 but none of them found enough buyers. 

To spice up its portfolio (and sales), Yamaha now wants to bring an affordable and low-displacement sports bike to India later this year. The name in question is the XSR 155, a neo-retro roadster that has been the darling of motorcycling communities on Reddit and X (erstwhile Twitter). The demand to see the XSR 155 in India has only risen and Yamaha’s top brass is finally giving in. 

But why is the Yamaha XSR 155 so hyped?

After the COVID-19 pandemic subsided, the motorcycling community saw a lot of new people willing to join, wanting to experience the thrills of the classic ‘wind-in-the-hair’ experience. Retro motorcycles appealed a lot and Royal Enfield cashed in heavily with its Classic 350, Bullet 350 and the more women-friendly Hunter 350. Classic Legends and Triumph wanted a slice of the cake too and hence came a wave of neo-retro machines hitting the streets. Yamaha missed out on the action though and its FZ-X could barely woo people with its rather confused design language. 

Outside India though, the XSR 155 – which was a more accessible take on the popular XSR retro superbikes, was doing good numbers. The avid motorcycling community in India wanted the better-looking and beefier retro Yamaha instead of a dull half-hearted version of the FZ-S. Rumours of the XSR 155 coming to India have been floating over the last few years but Yamaha India hasn’t shaken a leg, until now. 

For those under the rock, the XSR 155 is based on the R15 V4.0 platform. This translates to the presence of a Deltabox frame, which has given the R15 and MT-15 great handling dynamics. The 155cc liquid-cooled four-valve engine should produce a peak power of 18.1 bhp and 14.2 Nm of peak torque. The motorcycle is mated to a 6-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch, which should make life easier on the city streets. You do get dual-channel ABS, upside-down forks and a monoshock rear suspension as standard. 

What will the Yamaha XSR 155 compete with in India

The XSR 155, if launched, is likely to be positioned as Yamaha’s answer to the incredibly popular Royal Enfield Hunter 350 and the lower variants of the Classic 350. Hence, the price of the motorcycle could be kept accordingly to present it as a viable alternative to these retro Royal Enfields. 

Surprisingly, both the Royal Enfields mentioned here make 20 bhp of peak power and 27 Nm of peak torque, both of which engulf the XSR 155’s power and torque figures. On paper then, the XSR 155 seems underpowered despite Yamaha’s 155cc engine being known to be more eager than the motor found in Royal Enfields. 

When will the Yamaha XSR 155 launch in India?

Based on the report from Bikewale, it seems that the XSR 155 is slated for a launch later in 2025. That said, take this news with a grain of salt as Yamaha is yet to confirm anything on this front. 

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