Yamaha XSR 155 Vs Yamaha MT-15 V2: Detailed Comparison

For a long time, the Yamaha MT-15 and R15 have been the carriers of the brand’s 155cc platform. And now, the Yamaha XSR 155 has been launched to expand the range and provide more options for the customers to choose. But how do the XSR 155 and the MT-15 stack up against each other? Let’s find out:

Price & Variants

• The XSR is clearly the more affordable bike out of the two with the cheapest Yamaha MT-15 V2 colour (Metallic Black) being Rs 8,210 more expensive than the neo-retro bike.
• Yamaha recently launched a new 'Metallic Black' colour scheme of the XSR155 and along with it, the manufacturer recently increased the price of the motorcycle as well. 

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Dimensions & Design

• The XSR and MT-15 share the same platform, so both are identical in terms of wheelbase, ground clearance, fuel tank capacity, and seat height. The MT-15 is heavier by 4kg but the difference is not that substantial.

• As we experienced during our real-world tests, the MT-15 has a short turning radius, feels lightweight, and very nimble to handle - making it a hoot the corners. 

• The ground clearance is more than enough to clear potholes and speed bumps with ease and the seat height is quite accessible for riders of all heights.

• The XSR 155 has a more upright riding posture, whereas the MT is quite committed and in line with its streetfighter form.

• In terms of design, the Yamaha XSR 155 nails the retro aesthetics with the round headlight, ribbed single-piece seat and the tear-drop shaped fuel tank. 

• The bike is also available in two optional official design kits: a scrambler and cafe-racer. The scrambler kit costs Rs 12,330, while the cafe racer kit comes in at Rs 11,915.  

• The Yamaha MT-15 has the perfect streetfighter aesthetics with the sleek and sharp design lines as you can clearly see here in the detailed real-life images.

Underpinnings

• Similar to the previous section, the XSR shares the same underpinnings as the MT-15. The suspension setup absorbs potholes and bad patches of road with ease and offers a comfortable riding experience. 

• The brakes offer a sharp bite with minimal ABS intervention, giving riders the confidence to use them aggressively.

• The 17-inch wheels make the bike very easy to flick from one side to another and inspire confidence around the corners. 

Features

• The XSR gets a decent list of features which have been explained in detail. The bike has a round LCD console that shows speedometer, tachometer, odometer, gear position indicator, trip meter, and fuel economy. It also gets Bluetooth connectivity for call and SMS alerts. 

• The MT-15 also gets similar features but in a rectangular shape.

• The XSR’s round instrument console suits the bike’s retro aesthetics, while the MT-15’s rectangular console suits the bike’s streetfighter looks. 

Performance

• The Yamaha 155cc engine is very refined with linear power delivery, and tractable - making it great for city riding. 

• It always has enough power on tap for quick overtakes, and post 6,000rpm it comes alive - pulling all the way to the redline.

• All in all, the engine is very engaging and handles speeds of up to 100kmph with ease.

• The slick gearbox and slipper clutch makes shifting gears a breeze.

Verdict

The MT-15 is an out and out streetfighter with a sharp, aggressive design with colourful paint options. It is very agile and nimble, making it fun to ride - especially in the corners. It is quite comfortable, and the features list is quite decent too. The engine feels very refined and screams all the way to the redline. If you want a 155cc streetfighter that’s very engaging to ride, then the MT is for you. If you like the engine and riding characteristics as the MT-15, but would prefer your bike to have retro styling that commands attention on the road, then the XSR 155 is the one you should go for. Here's our detailed bookings guide which will help you further.

Comparison With Other Bikes

• If comfort and relaxed riding are your utmost preferences, you will feel more at home on the Royal Enfield than the Hunter Yamaha XSR155.
• The Yamaha XSR155 gets the same engine as the R15 V4 but it is the latter which is the more sporty of the two. 
• The XSR155 goes up against the Honda CB150R in Japan and the battle is closer than you think. 
• There's another equally gorgeous neo-retro rival from Honda, the CB190SS, which goes up against the Yamaha XSR155 internationally.
• In Yamaha's own India lineup, there's another neo-retro option, the Yamaha FZ-X. However, it's far less powerful than the XSR and doesn't offer as much value for money either.
• If you're looking for a feature-loaded urban roadster, then you'll like the TVS Ronin, provided you're not looking for outright performance.
• The XSR155, when compared to the Bullet 350, offers peppier performance despite having a smaller engine. It also costs less than the Bullet. 
• If refinement and mileage are your priorities, then you'll find the affordable Honda Unicorn to be better than the XSR. However, it doesn't have the gorgeous retro design.
• Streetfighter fans will love the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V as it offers good performance, and a great list of features.
• Read more about other alternatives in the same budget as the XSR 155.