Yamaha MT-15

• The Yamaha MT-15 has an aggressive styling, complete with a  single projector headlight and DRL setup. The Yamaha MT-15 looks a bit larger than it is, thanks to the muscular looking tank extensions.

• One of the major design flaws I’ve noticed with the MT-15 is the smaller tail section and the long tail tidy which looks out of proportion. The small tail section also limits the size of the pillion seat.

• The Yamaha MT-15 gets a negatively-lit LCD instrument console which has a clean layout and I found it easy to read under most riding conditions. The console also offers smartphone connectivity, via the Yamaha Y-connect app. This allows for call & SMS alerts, but lacks turn-by-turn navigation which I feel like this is a big letdown. 

• The Yamaha MT-15 V2.0 comes with a standard warranty of 2 years or 30,000km (whichever comes first).

• The Yamaha MT-15 comes in 3 variants, with different colour schemes. Only the Dark Matte Blue and Metallic Black colour variants lack connectivity and LED indicators whereas the rest of the colour variants get them. I personally liked the top-end Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition the most as the cool graphics is something which catches my attention every time I park the bike.

• The Yamaha MT-15 gets dual-channel ABS, which really enhances the overall safety quotient. However, the ABS is a bit too sensitive and starts to interfere when you apply brakes harder than usual.

• The 155cc on the Yamaha MT-15 performs quite well, and the engine likes to be revved out. The rev-happy nature makes it nice to ride in the twisties and is something I love about it.

• The engine offers adequate torque across the rev range, thanks to Yamaha’s variable valve actuation technology. But what I’ve noticed is that the bike doesn’t have enough bottom-end grunt, and you will have to rev the engine above 6,000rpm to get the most power.

• The lack of low-end grunt makes it a bit annoying when stuck in stop-and-go traffic, but it is not a major deal breaker overall. That said, one of the best things about the bike is its tractable nature. During my rides, I was able to ride at speeds as low as 24kmph in 6th gear. 

• The engine is quite refined, and there are very few vibrations. I was able to ride at highway speeds of 80-90kmph without any vibrations or the engine feeling stressed. 

• The 80-90kmph cruising speed is the motor’s sweet spot, beyond which the bike feels stressed. 

• During the real-world tests, I was able to get an impressive mileage of 56.87kmpl in the city and 47.94kmpl on the highways

• Riding over bad patches of road on the MT-15 is a bit annoying, because of the stiffer suspension setup. It doesn’t do a good job of absorbing most of the bumps and potholes. That said, the stiff nature of the suspension helps in keeping the bike stable at higher speeds, and also when cornering. Summing up, the ride quality is only good as long as the roads are decent.

• The MT-15 is agile and easy to ride. Cutting through traffic felt effortless, thanks to the light kerb weight of 141kg along with the smaller overall profile. On the twisties, the MT-15 is really fun, and I was able to hit corners with great confidence due to its light weight and the way in which the suspension setup is tuned.

• The front disc doesn’t inspire the kind of confidence you would want as it lacks the initial bite. The ABS also tends to intervene quite quickly when braking hard. The rear brake doesn't have much feel, and I found myself pressing it a bit too hard, at times, to a point where the ABS starts to intervene. 

• It is easy to sit upright or move a bit backwards for a slightly more committed riding posture thanks to the really roomy rider’s seat. It helped me quite a bit when I was hitting the twisties, where I needed to take a more committed riding position.

• During long rides my bum started to hurt as the seat cushioning is quite soft and you start sinking into the seat.

• One of my biggest complaints about the Yamaha MT-15 is the small pillion seat. The seat has little to no space for the pillion rider and the lack of grab rails also makes it very difficult to hold on.

• If you are looking for a pocket friendly sporty naked which offers R15 levels of performance but in a more comfortable package, the Yamaha MT-15 is a bike you cannot ignore. The bike is really fun to ride on the highway as well as the twisties. 

Reasons to consider: Offers better performance, has more features

Reasons to ignore: Does not look as sporty, feels a bit commuter-ish

Reasons to consider: Has great performance, priced very well

Reasons to ignore: Stiff ride quality, tall seat 

The Yamaha MT-15 V2.0 is a premium sporty commuter which handles quite well. The motorcycle looks aggressive and will appeal to younger buyers due to its design and the colour schemes it comes in. The bike does get traction control and dual-channel ABS which act as an additional safety net but where it lets you down is the stiff ride quality and the expensive price tag.