Yamaha R15 V4

The Yamaha R15 is not just any other bike that enthusiasts aspire to buy. It's an emotion. A statement that shows that you prefer corners over straight line speed, and that you understand the art of riding better than your peers. It has an aura that still remains unmatched in the market. Once you are tucked in, the way the engine revs over 10,000rpm and the bike starts to cut through traffic with the slightest of inputs, you start to leave the world behind.

In this 4th generation, the bike now looks much better and gets a lot of latest tech. It also isn’t as tedious to ride, the revised posture making it more comfortable for everyday use. I have ridden it extensively over regular roads, bad roads, mountain passes and even on a track to now be able to tell you if you should be buying it, or if you are better off waiting for the upcoming R2, or KTM RC 160. I will also evaluate if the R15 is now a better bike to live with in the city. Afterall, spending up to Rs 2.3 lakh is not a casual expenditure at all.

The R15 has never looked like any other 150cc motorcycle. It has always looked slightly bigger, like a supersport should. The R15 in this V4 generation looks sharp. The borrowed styling from the R1 is evident and that makes the R15 the best looking faired bike you can buy under Rs 2.5 lakh. 

The paint schemes do it justice too, as they all look sporty and tastefully done with no unnecessary graphics. 

My favorite colours on the R15 are the Matte Pearl White and the MotoGP Edition. They really bring out the sportiness of the motorcycle and the MotoGP Edition will make you feel like Fabio Quartararo. The other colour options are Metallic Black, Racing Blue, Intensity White, Dark Knight, and Metallic Red.

Not just the way it looks, but the R15 is premium in the way it feels as well, something that Yamaha has brought back with this iteration. The plastics are sturdy with tight fit and finish and even the switchgear feels of high quality. R15s are also known to be reliable and hold up well even after years of use, provided they’re maintained properly. My 18 year old R15’s plastics still look like they are off a motorcycle that just rolled out of the showroom, failing to show any age. While this wasn’t that much of a case with the second-gen or at all with the third gen, we are glad that Yamaha has brought back its core values with this version.

The 4th generation is where R15 has made its largest leap by offering tech that is segment defining. So much so that some more expensive competitors and even the larger Yamaha R3 offer less features than the R15.

The standard variant gets a full-LCD instrument cluster that is feature-rich, with basic Bluetooth connectivity via Yamaha’s Y-Connect app enabling call & SMS alerts, phone battery status, and even last-parked location. The higher M variant comes equipped with a TFT screen which is better to read. It even gets a quickshifter which makes clutchless upshifts possible, making the riding experience sportier. 

Safety is also a priority with dual-channel ABS, traction control, and hazard lights as standard.

One thing you need to be ready to deal with while picking the keys of the R15 is an aggressive riding posture. The seat height is comfortable for riders between 5ft 5in to nearly a six footer. With an 815mm tall seat, low and angled clip-on handle bars and footpegs which are placed a bit towards the back, the riding posture is like a racing bike. 

While this helps the rider have better control over the motorcycle, it is not as comfortable as other street motorcycles. For shorter commutes and while hitting twisty roads, this feels exciting and sporty, but in heavy traffic or long-distance highway rides, it did strain my wrists, shoulders, and back. This is a choice that you have to make because there is no other way around it. Even for larger riders, while one could get used to the aggressive posture, it simply doesn’t have enough space or offer as much leverage for effortless riding. It is demanding, not as much as its previous third generation but still in the same realm.

The pillion seat is small, high-set, and not very cushioned, which makes it impractical for long rides with a passenger. Climbing onto the seat itself can be challenging for some pillion riders. This is clearly a bike designed with the rider in mind rather than two-up touring. However, younger people like college going students won't mind being a pillion for city commutes on the R15.

The free revving 155cc motor, along with the 6-speed transmission, is like no other in the segment. It is far superior in technology than some higher capacity performance motorcycles. And what makes it better than the other 150cc motorcycles is the liquid-cooling and the Variable Valve Actuation (VVA). It lets the R15 V4 offer better acceleration while still having a high and achievable top speed. The output alone, 18.4 PS and 14.2 Nm, is a tad bit lesser than the KTM 160 siblings, but because of its lightweight characteristics, it feels a lot more alive than its Austrian rivals.

Inside the city, the R15 feels calm if ridden in a relaxed manner. The engine is smooth, refined and efficient. Thanks to the VVA, you now don't have to shift much in the city, which makes riding it more effortless. And for overtakes, just twist the throttle and the bike seamlessly revs to over 6000rpm for you to remain ahead in traffic. The clutch is light and in the M variant you also get a quickshifter which lets you shift up without using the clutch at all.

While most 150cc commuter motorcycles start to feel strained at 7000rpm, the R15 is just getting warmed up. For fun, all you have to do is downshift and let the engine rev freely. Now, this relaxed commuting experience transforms into a boy racer delight. The engine note becomes racy, you feel a bit of the vibrations on the handlebars and the bike comes alive. You pass traffic like they are not moving and the throttle is almost telepathic. This ability to change personalities is what makes the R15 unique in the segment.

Out on the highway, the R15’s 6th gear lets it cruise with the big boys. 100kmph is effortless, even more so than the 350cc Royal Enfields and the bike climbs to 130kmph if you are ready to push it there. 

Ride at 90-100kmph and the mileage will surprise you. The R15 will return over 50kmpl easily. In the city, expect close to 45kmpl.

What made the R15 the GOAT is its chassis setup. The core Deltabox frame makes it light, quick to change directions and very stable. This makes it a very confidence-inspiring learner motorcycle while being a tonne of fun for even the experienced riders. In the city, the R15 filters through traffic in a jiffy. Out on the highway, making quick overtakes while switching lanes becomes second nature while riding, and it feels effortless doing that everyday. 

But the real fun begins when you are on a winding mountain road. The ease with which the R15 leans and remains stable in corners is tremendously confidence-inspiring. It gives you the right feedback and feel to urge you to have more fun without unsettling or being twitchy. It is like a great teacher, guiding you in a manner that will actually help you learn the art of cornering in a neat manner.

The R15 V4 comes with MRF tyres. The front crossply/rear radial construction does take getting used to initially. The tyres offer great grip for this performance but you will wish for something grippier in the wets. If you follow MotoGP and are keen on learning to corner faster -- this is the best bike you can start with. Period. 

Another strong point for the R15 is braking. With disc brakes at both ends and a dual-channel ABS, the bike stops safely and swiftly -- going together with its sporty theme. Yes, one could hope for a little more fierceness in the bite or a bit more feel, which would have enhanced the handling aspects even further, but neither of them are major causes for concern.

R15 is a sporty motorcycle and the focus is on handling more than comfort. What that means is that over bumps, the bike will focus on keeping you more stable and reducing movement over keeping you comfortable. This makes it excellent on smooth highways or racetracks. However, on rough urban roads and potholes, the bumps will be felt by the rider more. It can still handle the everyday bad roads but riders will have to slow down for larger potholes and undulations.

The Yamaha R15 V4 remains the undisputed king of affordable sporty motorcycles. It combines aggressive design, advanced features, sharp handling, and a refined, rev-happy engine into one exciting package. It’s not the most practical motorcycle as you sacrifice some comfort and pillion friendliness. But for riders who want performance, precision, and big-bike appeal on a smaller budget, the R15 V4 is unmatched.

The R15 V4 is available in two variants. The standard version is already well equipped, while the higher M variant features a TFT screen and a quickshifter (upshifts only). Additionally, different colour schemes are offered with more premium elements on the M variant.

The R15 V4’s direct competitor is the KTM RC 160. Naked alternatives to the R15 are the MT-15 and the KTM 160 Duke. The MT-15 makes a good case for itself as it is more affordable, offers similar performance, and is even more comfortable for everyday riding.