Yamaha Goes Retro With The Small XSR 155

Of all its markets, Yamaha has launched the XSR 155 first in Thailand at a price tag of 91,500 baht, which roughly translates to an eye-watering Rs 2.1 lakh. Before you dismiss this as an overpriced motorcycle, hold on to your horses. In Thailand, the MT-15 and the YZF-R15 V3 cost 98,500 baht each and I do not need to be a math wizard to tell you that both motorcycles are costlier than the XSR.

Yamaha has typically shed its MT range’s streetfighter garb and clad it with a traditionally styled body. It did it with the XSR 900 and the XSR 700 and now the same has been done with the XSR 155. The tear-drop fuel tank, round LED headlamp and a tan-coloured, flat ribbed seat are typical items found on neo retro motorcycles. All of these elements are supplemented by a roundel info cluster and a circular LED tail-light.

The changes to the XSR 155 do not just restrict themselves to styling. You get a different handle bar which is slightly raised and wider. The wheelbase is narrower by 5mm, standing at 1330mm. The ground clearance has gone up to 170mm from the MT’s 155mm. And all of the changes to the XSR make it just a kilo heavier than the MT as it tips the scales at 134kg wet.

Thankfully, Yamaha has left the 155cc VVA-equipped motor untouched on the XSR 155. We love the way this engine puts its power down as 19.3PS and 14.7Nm is delivered in a friendly yet rapid manner. The 6-speed gearbox with a slip-and-assist clutch comes as standard. The end-can looks stubbier with a new bullet-hole cover. This could only be an aesthetic change, not affecting performance in any way whatsoever.

Yamaha has also chosen not to tamper with the Deltabox frame. It comes standard with a USD fork and rear monoshock operating on a die-cast aluminium swingarm. 17-inch alloy rims and the same braking setup of the MT-15 have been carried forward as well.

Considering that the Indian-spec MT-15 misses out the aforementioned suspension components, settling for more cost effective units, we could expect the XSR 155 to also miss out on the same for India. And even though it is more affordable than its other 155cc siblings in Thailand, we could expect this bike to retail for Rs 1.4 lakh in India and be positioned as a retro alternative to the MT-15. With Yamaha already promising new products before the end of 2019, we are likely to see this bike on our roads as early as December 2019. If not, then expect it to make an appearance at the 2020 Auto Expo.