Yamaha MT-15 Quick Review For 2025: The Most Underrated Street Fighter In India?

Every now and then, motorcycles gift us something special—something that hits our dopamine, something that rides like a dream.

Yamaha is the maestro when it comes to internal combustion engines. Some of history's best motorcycle engines have worn the Yamaha badge and risen to the Hall of Fame status. India witnessed marvels like the RX100 and RD350. The R15 was another one of those gems featuring a well-tuned 155cc engine and even after 1.5 decades, it remains the fastest fully-faired motorcycle in its segment. Not only this, the motorcycle clean-bowled its competitors like the Bajaj Pulsar RS 200, Karizma ZMR and Suzuki Gixxer SF 150. Yamaha also launched a naked streetfighter version based on the Yamaha R15 and named it the MT-15.

The MT-15 has been updated over the years, with the brand adopting sharp, edgy panels, a dual-tone colour scheme and an aggressive look to make their motorcycles more beautiful. It looks like a predator with sharp LED projector headlamps that glare at you like it’s about to challenge your male ego. Its muscular fuel tank screams, “I am here for stamina,” and the engine growls, “I will dominate.”

It is powerful because the motorcycle is powered by the same liquid-cooled, VVA-equipped engine as its elder sibling, the R15. The MT-15 delivers a punchy 18.4 PS maximum power at 10,000 RPM. 

The highs and lows of the MT-15's journey

Just like the faired R15, the MT-15 has become one of the fastest 150cc motorcycles with its 155cc engine. Despite everything, the motorcycle didn’t get much attention. However, the diamond shines from a distance and this scenario fits the story of the MT-15. In May 2023, Yamaha sold only 7,156 units but just a year later, the brand was able to sell 14,612 units in May 2024.

Finally, the tables have turned. 

Maybe the motorcycle is not a mileage king like the Yamaha FZ series but it is lightweight and compact enough to be used as a daily commuter. The handling is nimble, precise and confidence-inspiring. If corner carving were an art, this bike would be a masterpiece. 

Yamaha MT-15 history

The original MT-15 was introduced by Yamaha in 2018. It is based on the Yamaha YZF-R15 V3 model. Yamaha took body inspiration from the Yamaha MT-09 (2017 model) to create a mini streetfighter motorcycle. If you remember the John Wick movie, the MT-09 was used in Chapter Three during the motorcycle chase scene. Yamaha started manufacturing the Yamaha MT-03 in India in 2019.

After exploring the heroic journey of this motorcycle, let’s accelerate into the real-world experience of this underrated street champion that the world can’t ignore.

Yamaha MT-15 Details

Design and features

Looks are very subjective but in the case of the Monster Energy edition scheme, which Yamaha calls the MotoGP edition, I like this colour scheme. Apart from this colour, the MT-15 is available in Matte Light Gray, Metallic Black, Dark Matte Blue, Cyber Green DLX and other colours. 

The motorcycle looks sharp along the edges. However, while the brand has updated the front design of the MT-09, the MT-15 is still based on the older MT-09 model. The front side resembles a predator with two eyes and a mouth. The main LED bulb is completely exposed and can be adjusted from the sides using a screwdriver and an Allen key. 

The seat height is 810mm, which is decent and accessible for a rider with a height of 5 feet 7 inches. The ground clearance of the motorcycle is 170mm and with a 1,325mm wheelbase, this means you can use the MT-15 on almost any terrain. One of the best features of the MT-15 is its kerb weight—the machine weighs just 141kg and the handlebar is narrow, allowing you to easily zig-zag through traffic. 

The bike has soft suspension setups, including a mono-shock on the rear and a golden telescopic upside-down suspension at the front. Yamaha has used a Deltabox-type chassis in the MT-15, the same chassis model used in the R15 series. 

Yamaha has maintained a perfect balance between power figures, weight distribution and the size of the brakes. It comes with a 282mm disc brake at the front and a 220mm disc brake at the rear, supported by dual-channel ABS. Both the front and rear tyres are 17 inches in size, with the front being 100mm wide and the rear 140mm wide. 

The design and overall feel of the Yamaha MT-15 are premium but the motorcycle has two notable flaws: the fuel tank and the pillion seat.

This motorcycle comes with a 10-litre fuel tank whereas Yamaha’s FZ series features a larger 14-liter tank. A bigger fuel tank provides more confidence for long-distance riding. The pillion seat size is also small for a larger passenger. 

The Yamaha MT-15 features a digital instrument cluster but it is still an old-school negative LCD display. The Hazard indication feature is included; however, it is missing if you opt for the Matte Blue or Metallic Black colour variants.

Power figures and engine

The Yamaha MT-15 is powered by a single-cylinder, 155cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine. It generates a maximum power of 18.4 PS at 10,000 RPM. The engine is paired with a six-speed gearbox. The engine generates a peak torque of 14.1 Nm at 7,500 RPM. The MT-15 offers excellent low-end torque for quick acceleration, making it highly responsive and fun to ride, whether on city streets or open roads.

Interestingly, the Yamaha R15, which looks like a race-ready machine designed for the track, produces almost identical performance figures. With 18.1 PS of maximum power and 14.2 Nm of peak torque, the R15 is very similar to the MT-15 in terms of raw power and torque delivery. However, while the R15 is more focused on aerodynamics and track performance, the MT-15 is geared towards offering an agile, streetfighter-style experience that’s equally thrilling but with a focus on urban performance and versatility.

Despite their similarities in power, the MT-15’s design and handling characteristics make it an entirely different experience on the road, offering an aggressive street presence and exceptional manoeuvrability.

Real-life experience

While it looks like a naked bike, it has the capabilities to outperform the Yamaha R15 (if you can handle the wind blast). The MT-15 is fun to ride and luckily, I got the gray colour, which includes all the features, including the hazard lights. With its 10-litre fuel tank, most riders can get up to 350 kilometres of range on a full tank. The rear wide tyres create decent grip on corners and you’ll feel more confident than on a Bajaj Pulsar NS200, its arch nemesis.

I’m 5 feet 7 inches and the seat height was easily accessible for me. After riding the motorcycle for about 25 kilometres, I didn’t feel any engine heating. The main difference between the R15 and the MT-15 is that the MT-15 comes with a more upright riding position and since the motorcycle is lightweight, the 18.4 PS power feels even more powerful than other 155cc machines. Yamaha’s smart weight-to-performance ratio makes their motorcycles faster than their competitors.

Conclusion

The Yamaha MT-15 was one of the most underrated machines because Yamaha was focused solely on showcasing the capabilities of the R15 series. But eventually, enthusiasts noticed the motorcycle and it got some word-of-mouth promotion. As a result, the sales figures have been improving year by year. With its unique streetfighter appeal and impressive performance, the MT-15 has finally found its rightful place in the spotlight. It’s proof that sometimes, good things just need a little time to shine.