Yamaha R15: The Game Changer For Yamaha

Remember, Yamaha was crazy in the 90s, just after the launch of the Yamaha RX100? Bike enthusiasts continue to purchase this bike to experience its powerful thump and high revs. Yamaha fitted this bike with a two-stroke 98cc engine, but regrettably, emission norms banned it. After giving a massive hit, Yamaha waited so long to experience the "limelight." 

It was 2008 when Yamaha made a comeback with the R15 in India, a single-cylinder 155-cc bike. The Yamaha R15 was designed by taking cues from the Yamaha R1 and R7.

According to reliable data from 2023, the Yamaha R15 holds a 17% market share in India of the Yamaha family, with the Yamaha FZ holding the first rank. Yamaha has upgraded the R15 a lot in these 16 years, and I had a chance to test the BS-6 compliant Yamaha R15 Version 4 in Matte Black.

Here are my takes on the Yamaha R15:

Design and Look: 
This is one of the most aggressive bikes in the Indian 155cc category. The main reason is its aerodynamic design; the front looks so aggressive that I felt the bike was ready to be pushed above and beyond. Yamaha has offered an LED headlamp between the DRLs, which is much brighter than the earlier version of the R15.

The sitting posture is aggressive, and there is a narrow space for a pillion. To make the design more rider-friendly for performance-oriented buyers, Yamaha has attached footpegs on the higher side. During my first test, I felt it was almost impossible to sit behind the rider if he was carrying any bags.

Yamaha is focusing on track-oriented riders with this bike so that you wouldn't get the luxury of long rides on this one. For example, it has a narrow fuel tank of just 11 litres. As a result, you need to take more small breaks on long stretches.

Performance:
The Yamaha R15 V4 is popular among performance-oriented buyers for its top speed. It has a delta box frame injected with the segment's fastest 155cc engine, which produces 18.1bhp and 14.2Nm of peak torque.

This new version of the R15 touched 147kmph at 12,500rpm. However, I recommend my readers not to push it too hard, as I performed it with safety precautions.

After covering a total of 100 km in the city and on the highway, I got an average mileage of 38kmpl, which is amazing for a bike in this segment.

The rear suspension is not very soft, and if you are someone who seeks comfort, you can skip this bike. However, Yamaha has provided upside-down shockers with a golden finish at the front, exuding a sports bike appeal. This one is better than what you get on the Hero Karizma XMR.

Conclusion: 
The Yamaha has a starting ex-showroom price of Rs 1.82 lakh, and its 'M' and 'M MotoGP Edition' variants are quicker than the lower variants. The complete R15 family targets aggressive riders who want to taste high speed. This is the only bike that can near 150kmph and still maintains to give you decent mileage. Its front light setup is bright enough, which provides a seamless riding experience, especially during the night.

It is also worth noting that people who tend to have constant back pains can re-consider before buying, as this is a performance-oriented bike which requires constant slouching while riding.    

So, for a young rider like me who loves performance and wants that sports bike feel, I would give this bike full stars for its features, affordability, mileage, and performance.