Yamaha YZF R15

Have a short glimpse of Yamaha YZF R15 v2.0 and you will find how tasty this mini R1 is. It looks extremely sharper and meaner from nose to tail, with a proportional silhouette. The front, though unchanged from the previous generation model, still looks fresh with a sharper nose and a darker visor, with the menacing arrangement of dual headlamps with pilot lamps at corners persisting in this version too. Though, some more noticeable changes would have been welcomed, with almost no point-able difference, once you see the two versions back to back. But once you move towards the side profile of the bike and the game changes.

The R15 was the first Indian bike to come up with a full size fairing, and now with the middle cowl been redesigned to improve the sharp aerodynamics of the bike, it has managed to push up the ante, enhancing the visual appeal. This version too can be given the credit of “first-to-introduce” something, with a massive chunky aluminium swingarm seen at the back for the first time in any Indian bike, giving it a real sense to its ‘R’ family prefix. The bike now gets a better-styled silencer with a matt black carbon finishing and a small nameplate with ‘R15’ printed on it, a unique feature never seen before. But it is the rear end of this bike which deserves some spotlights, with a pointier and very high-raised tail section, giving it the feel of a high-end liter class superbike.

The tail-light is also a triangular LED unit which goes well with the design of the fully split-seat aided tail cowl, which though aerodynamically superior, misses out on practicality, with the absence of grab rail. Thus, the pillion has to show some trust on the rider as there is nothing to hold him/her at the seat except the rider himself. This fabulous rear section is complemented by the desperately wished fatty rear tyre (130/70 rubber). Though, the saree guard and extra mud flap over the rear tyre look a bit ugly. The hardcore seating posture is also left intact, with the fully rear-set footpegs and low-set forward clip-on handlebars, pushing the rider forward, but with the knee recesses coming a bit early on the fuel tank, the taller rides may find it cramped.

The build quality is top-notch and typically Yamaha, with a crisp switchgear and meatier palm grips. The minimalistic, but fantastic instrument console of the outgoing version finds its way in the new model too. It has big circular analogue tachometer with a small LCD unit displaying the speedometer, odometer, two tripmeters and fuel gauge in a digital fashion and the other LED indicators arranged in a linear manner below the LCD unit. We wish the blue back light of the LCD had a darker display.

Yamaha has incorporated a 149.8cc, liquid-cooled 4-stroke, single-cylinder engine that is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The motor is configured to produce a maximum power of 16.8bhp at 8500rpm and a peak torque of 15Nm at 7500rpm. The throttle response is quite crispier than one can imagine. Even with the incorporation of Fuel Injection system, fuel efficiency of the machine can be problem for some people as it is a bit on the lower side and is assisted with a fuel tank capacity of 12-liter. 

If the super-powered 150cc engine of the Yamaha YZF R15 is a cake, then the handling is surely an icing on it. R15 is a true handling gem, with the credits of the agile and accurate handling given to the suspension setup of hydraulic telescopic forks at front and a linked type monoshock at the rear. Being a track-tool, this setup works as a wonder, but unexpectedly, this is equally capable over speed breakers and potholes too, thus ending up in a stress free comfortable ride. The combination of fatter rubbers at both front and rear and a robust aluminium swingarm, alongwith an extended wheelbase of 1345mm ensures you a planted and confident feel at straight roads as well as sharp corners.

The raised ground clearance of 160 mm offers a very pleasant ride as well. The sporty seating stance of R15 was also the first of its kind, with the aggressive aerodynamic arrangement of low seating, fully rear-set foot pegs and clip-on handlebars allowing the rider to bend forward with knees rolled back in perfect confidence aspiring position. Though, the high set pillion seat loses out some points on practical aspects. The brakes too have been upgraded over the outgoing model, with discs at both front and rear bigger than before. This improvement results in much more precise and safe braking, though the absence of ABS is still missed out on the bike and once introduced, may double up the bite of already fabulous stopping power of the disc brakes.

Yamaha YZF R15 has an extensive array of sensors all over its profile. The bigger disc brakes do ensure shorter stopping distances. Though, the grouse of the absence of ABS still cannot be ignored.