Take A Closer Look At The Yamaha R15V4 As Deliveries Get Underway

Yamaha has launched the YZF-R15 V4 in India, and the baby supersport is loaded to the gills with cosmetic, mechanical, and electronic updates for 2021. Select dealerships have already started deliveries for the bike. So, before you go and put down your money, we thought you’d want to take a closer look at what it has to offer. 

Let’s begin:

The YZF-R15 V4 proves that it’s cut from the same cloth as the bigger bikes. The fairing and headlight are inspired by the YZF-R7. The turn indicators, however, continue to be bulb-type units 

The company claims that the fairing design has been tweaked to reduce the aerodynamic drag from 0.307 to 0.293. 

The rear looks the same as its predecessor, but the subframe has been reinforced for better chassis balance.

Yamaha offers the new YZF-R15 V4 in three variants: R15-V4, R15M, and R15M MotoGP Edition. 

All three are powered by a 155cc liquid-cooled 4-valve motor, same as the outgoing model. The output figures have seen a small change; the engine now makes 18.35PS and 14.2Nm. For reference,  the V3 generates 18.6PS and 14.1Nm. 

The engine is mated to the same 6-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch. But the R15-V4 now benefits from a quickshifter with a load-bearing sensor (for upshifts) and traction control. However, the two features are offered as standard only on select variants --  R15 V4 Racing Blue, R15M, and R15M MotoGP Edition. 

Now, to the features. The baby Yammie now gets a digital console with Bluetooth connectivity via the Y-connect app. It also packs a lap timer and two display modes (Street and Track). 

You can toggle through the menu using the new switchgear layout. The trip and info button have been moved from the console to the right switch cube, which should be more convenient. 

Yamaha has suspended the R15 V4 on a USD fork. The linked monoshock sees no change. The R15M gets anodised blue fork caps for aesthetic appeal. 

The braking hardware comprises a 282mm front and a 220mm rear disc. Dual-channel ABS is standard. 

Even the paint finish and welds seem premium and neat. 

The R15M’s seat covers get carbon fibre-like finish with the bike name embroidered on the pillion seat. 

The asking price starts from Rs 1,67,800 for the standard model and goes up to Rs 1,79,800 for the MotoGP Edition. 

Overall, the new Yamaha YZF R15 V4 looks promising. But, how does it perform? Well, that can only be answered once we take it out for a spin. 

*All prices ex-showroom Delhi