Yamaha MT-15

Being a youth-centric motorcycle, the MT-15 has a sharp and edgy styling to woo youngsters. Unlike streetbikes of the past, which were bulky and big, the MT-15 has more athletic and compact proportions, like the Yamaha MT-09. The most eye-catching design element on the new bike has to be its transformer-like LED projector headlight with twin LED DRLs on top that endows the motorcycle with a menacing look. However, the lack of USD forks mean that the India-spec motorcycle misses out on that butch stance associated with the international-spec bike.

On the positive side, the chiselled fuel tank and large fuel extensions with “MT” branding does give the new motorcycle a mass-forward visual appeal. Also, the single-seat unit looks like a floating unit with a slim LED tail light. The India-spec bike is equipped with saree guard and crude looking grab rails, or should I say a metal tube below the pillion seat, which is something most owners are likely to remove. Another eye-sore in an otherwise well executed design is the R15-sourced exhaust muffler.

Quality is one aspect that Yamaha motorcycles in the recent past have been lacking and the MT-15, sadly, continues this tradition. On some of the media bikes the tank extensions were shaking, while the seat didn’t fit snugly close to the fuel tank. Additionally, some of the plastic panels looked and felt flimsy. Last but not least is the switchgear, whose quality is even poorer compared to the one found on the Yamaha R15. Given the asking price of the motorcycle and the reputation that brand Yamaha had for quality in India, disappointment is an understatement summing up the MT-15’s build quality.

Talking about tech, the new Yamaha MT-15 is equipped with LED projector headlights. Given our poor experience with the R15 and the FZ25’s LED headlights, we are hoping that the new projector unit is better. Since the ride was held in the afternoon, we couldn’t test its effectiveness and we hope the new units are better-performing than its siblings. It also gets a petite LED unit at the rear. The all-digital instrument cluster is a straight lift from the R15, albeit with a negative LCD display. What it relays back to you is the usual details along with a gear position indicator, real and average fuel consumption, distance to empty and there’s also a shift light above it. 

The MT-15 is also the only naked motorcycle in its segment to feature VVA (variable valve actuation) tech. While the R15 features dual-channel ABS, the new Yamaha motorcycle gets a single-channel unit. Also, the aluminium swingarm seen on its faired sibling has been replaced with a box-type unit. Another major change compared to the international-spec model is the inclusion of telescopic forks instead of USD forks. Yamaha has also introduced some accessories for the MT-15, including a USB charger, mobile stand, and tank pad. You can read about it here.