Here Are Five Reasons Why The Yamaha R2 Is A Better Than The R15 V4

Yamaha recently launched the R2 in India, making it the sportier and more powerful motorcycle in the brand’s R-Series lineup. While the R15 V4 continues to be a popular choice, the R2 brings more performance, adjustability, better hardware and more features to the table. 

Here are the top 5 reasons why the R2 is a better proposition than the R15:

Bigger Engine, More Power, Marginal Weight Increase

The Yamaha R2 gets a bigger 204cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine that produces 26.5 PS and 19.1 Nm, which is 8.1 PS and 4.9 Nm more than the R15 V4. Despite the bigger motor, the R2 weighs just 8kg more than its sibling, tipping the scales at 149kg (kerb). Keeping these numbers in mind, the R2 is expected to be quite fast.

Adjustable Rider Controls

The YZF R2 gets adjustable brake and clutch levers (only on the top variant), allowing riders to set them according to their preference. Additionally, the bike also gets adjustable rider footpegs with multiple mounting points, which improve cornering clearance when riding spiritedly or attacking corners on a race-track. 

Updated Suspension Setup

The R2 gets a KYB inverted fork at the front, while the top-spec M-variant gets a preload-adjustable fork, allowing riders to set up the suspension according to their requirements. The bike also gets a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear, a feature that the R15 V4 doesn’t offer. 

Upgraded Brakes

The R2 also gets upgraded brakes, with a Nissin 4-piston calliper at the front, while the R15 gets a 2-piston calliper. This should offer stronger braking performance and better feedback, complementing the R2’s extra punch of performance.

Three Riding Modes

The R2 gets three riding modes: Street, Sport and Rain, which alter the throttle response and performance of the bike according to the mode selected. Additionally, the top-spec variant gets a keyless start system, making the R2 a more feature-packed motorcycle than the R15. On the other hand, the R15 only gets console modes on the M-variant (with TFT). 

BikeDekho Says 

Overall the R2 is much more powerful and more feature-packed than the R15 V4, but it also comes at a premium of about Rs 55,000. The higher price tag is justified by the R2’s better performance, adjustability and added features. However, if you want a lightweight and capable sportbike without spending as much, the R15 V4 still remains the better pick.