Yamaha R15 V3 Breaks Cover

Ever since its launch in 2008, the Yamaha R15 has been a popular motorcycle among two-wheeler enthusiasts in India. The Japanese bikemaker updated the supersports motorcycle and launched the R15 Version 2.0 with sharper styling a few years back. With the advent of the KTM RC 200, the R15 felt overshadowed in terms of performance and the styling was also starting to show its age. Addressing the above, Yamaha unveiled the R15 V3 in the Indonesian market. The bike was ridden onto the stage by Yamaha MotoGP riders Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales. 

The new motorcycle has been completely redesigned and, gladly, the razor-sharp styling has been maintained. The split headlamps are narrower and now get LED headlights and the faring is also sportier-looking than its predecessor. The rear section is sharp-looking, with LED tail lamps and split seats. The tank also gets additional creases and the bike will be offered with dual-tone shades. The only design element that doesn’t flow with an otherwise well-executed design has to be the long exhaust muffler. Other notable difference includes the addition of an all-digital instrument cluster as opposed to the semi-digital unit as seen on the older bike. 

Under the sculpted fairing sits a 155cc displacement motor which is the bored-out version of the older mill with 58mm bore and 58.7mm stroke. The liquid-cooled, fuel injected engine delivers 19.3PS at 10,000rpm and 14.7Nm at 8,500rpm, which makes it 2.3PS more powerful than its predecessor while torque figure remains unchanged. The motor has been mated to a 6-speed gearbox but the Yamaha R15 V3 gets the benefit of slipper clutch. The twin-spar, or Deltabox frame as Yamaha likes to call it, has been carried forward on the new 150cc motorcycle. 

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The Yamaha R15 V3 features USD forks at front as opposed to the telescopic forks as seen on its predecessor, and the Japanese bikemaker claims it has helped in improving its handling dynamics. A monoshock does duty at the back and disc brakes provide anchorage while ABS has been given a miss to keep cost low. The Yamaha R15 V3 also weighs one kg more than its predecessor while the wheelbase has been shortened by 20mm. Saddle height has also risen by 15mm at 815mm and it gets fatter 100-section tyre at front and 140-section at the back. More details regarding the new Yamaha R15 V3 will surface after the bike gets officially launched in the Indonesian market by mid-February. As for the Indian two-wheeler space, we expect the Yamaha R15 V3 to land on our shores by late 2017 with a price tag of close to Rs 1.5 lakh, ex-showroom.

Specifications: Yamaha R15 V3

Length x Width x Height: 1990x725x1135mm

Seat Height: 815mm

Wheelbase 1,325mm

Weight (Wet): 137 kg

Engine Type: Liquid Cooled 4-stroke, SOHC

Cylinder Arrangement: Single Cylinder

Cylinder Volume 155.1 cc

Bore x Stroke: 58 x 58.7 mm

Compression Ratio: 11.6: 1

Maximum Power: 19.3PS (14.2 kW) @ 10,000 rpm

Maximum Torque: 14.7 Nm @ 8,500 rpm

Starting System: Electric

Fuel Tank Capacity: 11 Litre

Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection

Clutch Type: Wet Typre Multi-Plate Clutch

Tire Size (front): 100/80-17 M/C 52P

Tire Size (rear): 140/70-17 M/C 66S