Yamaha YZF R15

Yamaha YZF R15 OverView

Yamaha has come quite a way ahead on its road to recovery which started back in 2008 with the revival of Yamaha's lost glory days. The credit for this sudden change in the fortunes of Yamaha in the Indian market goes to the powerful line up of Yamaha bikes which have been playing at large in the 150cc or the upper segments. Mostly it has been the FZ series and the R15 motorcycles which have brought Yamaha back into the playing field. 

Yamaha YZF R15 is one such motorcycle which in no doubt is one of the best looking bikes and an affordable sports bike in India and it wouldn't be wrong to say that Yamaha R15 was the first sports bike on the Indian roads. The single cylinder sport bike motorcycle mostly takes its style and design patterns from Yamaha's expensive bikes from the R series. It was developed by Yamaha Motor 's Indian sub-division in 2008. Since then this sport bike has helped Yamaha in creating wonders and record its name in history books for bringing a sudden infliction towards performance based sport bikes.

The YZF R15 which inherits its racing DNA from the global R1 series is mostly based on the Yamaha V-Ixion. It has always been the looks, style and the performance components of this bike which made this bike an instant hit in India. Seeing such a wide and huge demand for R15, Yamaha recently brought out the second version – the R15 Version 2.0. Along with this Version 2.0 a limited Fiery Red R15 edition and a 50th Anniversary limited edition has been made available. Only 4000 units of both of these exclusive limited edition bikes will be manufactured with Yamaha 50th anniversary edition being priced at Rs 1.11 lakh while the Fiery Red edition is priced at Rs 1.10 lakh.

Yamaha YZF R15 Designing

From the design perspectives this bike is combined with some extra ordinary features like - an attractive split-seat, an aluminum swing-arm, wide and fat rear radial tyre, newly-designed middle and tail cowls, striking LED lights, an effective 220 mm-rear disc brake, stunning 5-spoke alloy wheels, etc. The Yamaha YZF R15 is the first made in India bike to have an aluminum long rear arm for an improved handling on short turns. This long swing arm design feature has been derived from the racing bike, Yamaha YZR-M1 and is included for reducing the chassis movement when the throttle is set loose instantly and doe providing an extra-ordinary traction control for the rear tyre.

A perfect sports bike is not only a high speed performance only. For becoming a perfect sports bike, the bike needs to also have a proper seating posture, alignment, and grip. These are the necessary requirements which the sports bike have to manufacture for delivering a true race machine. And no doubt Yamaha YZF R15 doesn't fall short on these grounds. The new split-seat in the R15 is set 800mm high from the ground for offering the rider with a better grip and comfortable riding posture. The seat is wrapped up by a high quality slip-resistant seat cover and has got a proper inner thigh contact area for an easy leg approach even for the short riders.

Other than these two major design characteristics, a 130mm wide radial tyre is present on the rear for achieving excellent handling on all kinds of terrain. The LED taillights with best in class performance adds to the pulsating presence of the bike from the rear view. The aerodynamic resistance value of the bike has been improved at greater speeds with the addition of the newly designed middle cowl. the middle cowl is designed for taking in the airflow in a better manner and to giving a perfect cooling effect to the engine.

 

Yamaha YZF R15 Appearance

The bike has been given a stylish touch by adopting newly designed cast wheels on both the front and rear ends, which helps in forming up a 5-spoke design pattern by bringing in ten thin spoked bars in a pair of two. Thus, on the side profiles the bike gets an equal stylish view for creating a lasting effect on the viewer's mind. Also the exhaust pipe has been given a taste of new designs by mounting it at a little higher angle than the previous version. A carbon-black finish on the silencer and the model plate increases the attractive design sensations. The large 220mm rear disc brake under the designer rear mudguard blends in perfectly with the overall sporty characteristics of the bike.

 

Yamaha YZF R15 Engine And Performance

This new R15 Version 2.0 has been blessed with a wide array of changes in the engine compartment by incorporating changes in the Engine Control Unit and the drive-train unit. The Yamaha R15 is powered by a 4 stroke, liquid cooled, single cylinder, SOHC engine with a displacement value of 149.8cc. This powerful engine is tuned for moiling out a whooping 17bhp of power figure at 8,500 rpm and a peak torque amount of 15Nm at 7,500 rpm. The engineers at the Yamaha manufacturing house has incorporated a newly developed DiaASil Cylinder. this newly developed cylinder with aluminum employs a forged piston for an excellent heat traversal through out the drive-train unit. Hence, there's a minimum power loss and better power generation whenever needed.

 

Yamaha R15 Mileage:

The revolutionary fuel injection system is present for ensuring a better use of the fuel in the right manner in order to generate better fuel economy figures. With this feature the bike easily delivers a mileage of up to 40 kmpl on the crowded city roads and it leads to the right combustion between the fuel and air for greater power and smoother response in all kinds of weather conditions. 

Yamaha YZF R15 Braking And Handling

The sporty Yamaha YZF R15 comes loaded with the most advanced braking mechanism and impeccable features for an improved better handling experience. Besides the large, fatter and wider tyres a dual set of disc brakes at front and the rear end ensure better safety. A hydraulic 220mm wide disc has been fitted on the both front and rear tyres for bringing this sexy sporty bike to an instant halt even at higher speeds and extreme turns.

With an overall dimensional attributes of 1970 x 670 x 1070 mm, this sports bike is really long, wide and tall enough for offering a perfect balance and control to the rider. And the bike has got a wide and long seat for offering the rider a proper riding posture in order to tame this sports bike easily. The 1290 mm long wheelbase also does the job of providing good handling and control to the rider very well.

 

Yamaha YZF R15 Safety Features

Safety features play a major role in deciding how perfectly a sports bike can take care of itself along with the rider and the pillion. The suspension systems are the biggest and major part of the overall safety features. Yamaha YZF R15 is equipped with the most advanced suspension system for ensuring smooth, silky and jolt free rides on the bumpy Indian tracks. The telescopic suspension up at the front tyre and a linked type monocross suspension on the rear tyre are employed for giving a jerk free riding experience to the rider and the pillion. Thus, this new bike has got the world class suspension system for offering the first class stable, rigid and balanced rides.

Yamaha YZF R15 Pros

Impressive power and acceleration, striking stylish appearance, sporty design.

Yamaha YZF R15 Cons

A little less low mileage in the current high fuel price season.