Yamaha MT-15: India Vs Indonesia-spec Comparison

Same but different! Here’s all you need to know about the India-spec MT-15 

[UPDATE: Yamaha has launched the MT-15 at a price of Rs 1.36 Lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi]

Yamaha’s entry-level sports naked, the MT-15, has been launched at Rs 1.36 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). This is the company’s second new motorcycle for the new year, after the FZ-Fi. Based on the same underpinnings as the Yamaha R15 V3 and design cues borrowed from the bigger MT-10, the MT-15 offers enticing yet manageable performance and killer looks. There are a couple of changes in the India-spec model compared to the Indonesia-spec version though. Here’s all you need to know: 

USD Forks & Aluminium Swingarm:

The India-spec Yamaha MT-15 gets a conventional telescopic fork and a box-type swingarm. The Indonesia-spec model, on the other hand, features upside-down forks and an aluminium swingarm that’s not only lighter but also aids handling and stability at high speeds. However, we are not dismissing the Indian model just yet as the same cost-cutting measure on the R15 did not prove to be any hindrance in any aspect whatsoever. Interestingly, Yamaha India has left the rake untouched. but reduced the trail by offering offset forks. This should give you lighter steering effort without affecting stability. At 138kg, the India-spec MT-15 is also 5kg heavier than its International-spec variant.

Wheels & Tyres:

The MT-15 that’s on offer abroad gets chunkier rubber measuring in at 110/70-section up front and 140/70-section at the rear. The India-spec model gets a slightly slimmer 100/80-section front tyre as seen on the R15 V3.0. While that’s a bummer, a lighter front end could help the bike tip into corners a wee bit quicker. The tyres themselves are India-spec MRF Nylogrip Zappers. 

Another change is the colours of the wheels. The global model offers contrasting colour options, while the one in India gets an all-black paint job with, ahem... “contrasting rim-tapes”. 

Single-channel ABS:

Now, this is where the MT-15 disappoints. The one offered in India gets single-channel ABS, a surprise considering its cousins, the faired R15 and the FZ25 get dual-channel ABS. Even the international-spec version gets dual-channel ABS, though as an option.   

Switchgear & Indicators:

From the looks of it, Yamaha seems to have cut corners when it comes to the bike's electrical components as well. For instance, the Indonesian version comes with a single start/kill switch on the right-hand side switchgear, while the model for India features a similar setup as the FZ25 - a kill switch on the top and a starter button placed at the bottom. The indicators seem to be the same units from the R15 instead of the more angular ones on the international model.

Grab Rail, Saree Guard and Tyre Hugger:

Finally, it can’t be an “India-spec” bike if it doesn’t feature a saree guard and a tyre hugger. The India-spec version also gets a grab rail which may be functional but isn’t the prettiest to look at. Yamaha Indonesia hasn’t bothered adding any of these components.

Price:

Given that the global-spec MT-15 gets all the bells and whistles you could think of, it gets a price tag of Rp 34,950,000. That’s roughly Rs 1.77 lakh in Indian currency. Admittedly, India is a price sensitive market, and a price tag that goes north of Rs 1.5 lakh will be hard to digest for most enthusiasts looking for a 150cc sport naked. To that effect, Yamaha has taken quite a few cost-cutting measures by giving components like dual-channel ABS, USD forks, cast aluminium swingarm and fatter tyres a miss. However, despite these misses, the MT-15’s asking price of Rs 1.36 lakh is only Rs 3,350 shy of the R15 V3.0’s price of Rs 1.39 lakh. In fact, Yamaha’s larger capacity FZ25, at Rs 1.33 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom Delhi), is Rs 3,000 more affordable than the MT-15.

Will it become the next affordable go-to performance naked bike in India? We will soon be riding the Yamaha MT-15 at the Buddh International Circuit to bring you the answer to that.