Yamaha YZF R15 V3

Yamaha YZF-R15 has been one of the best handling motorcycles in the budget segment and is the first fully faired track oriented bike in the 150cc segment for India. The motorcycle was first introduced in the country back in 2008 and the latest version of the bike is the third-generation model. The sales of the Yamaha R15 have been averaging around 5,000 to 6,000 units a month which is quite decent considering the segment to which it belongs. The Version 3.0 is the best looking and the most powerful R15 till date that also offers a comprehensive feature list, thus making for a well round package that comes at a competitive price point. Prime features of the new R15 V3.0 include LED headlamps, dual disc brakes, USB charging port, fully digital instrument cluster and more. The Yamaha YZF-R15 V3.0 has currently been priced in India at Rs 1.27 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and has no direct competition at present. The upcoming Aprilia RS 150 which is expected to be launched in 2020, will be the second direct rival to the R15 V3.0, after the Honda CBR 150R which was discontinued last year. The motorcycle is offered in a single variant only but also being offered with a special MotoGP livery which is limited to just 5,000 units for India.

Yamaha YZF-R15 V3.0 is without a doubt the sharpest looking bike in its segment. The motorcycle gets edgy LED headlamps up front and the full fairing along with gives it the dress up of a proper supersport. The neatly chiselled fuel tank along with split step-up seats are other elements that make the look sporty and desirable. The rear end of the motorcycle gets an LED tail lamp along with a tyre hugger and the black finished exhaust completes the design in a rather neat fashion. Overall, the bike looks proportionate and the design takes inspiration from the new generation R1. All thanks to this, the Yamaha YZF-R15 V3.0 looks a lot premium and upmarket than the previous models and it is one of the reasons behind its selling prowess. Besides the MotoGP edition, the standard model comes in two colour options – Racing Blue and Thunder Grey.

Yamaha YZF-R15 V3.0 gets power from a 155cc, liquid-cooled engine mated to a six-speed transmission. The fuel-injected engine capable of churning out respective power and torque outputs of 19bhp and 15Nm respectively. With that being said, the new R15 is the most powerful 150cc motorcycle that you can buy in India. Gearbox on the new R15 V3.0 is further linked to a slipper clutch. The benefit of the said feature is that it minimises the effects of engine braking during aggressive downshifts so that you can attack corners faster without losing much on speed. The engine packs in a punchy performance that is unmatched by any other 150cc motorcycle as of now.

The braking duties on the Yamaha YZF-R15 V3.0 are handled by a 282mm disc brake up front and a 220mm disc brake at the rear. There is no ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) on offer with the motorcycle but it is expected to be offered with the next update. Thanks to 15mm increased seat height, the motorcycle in its third generation gets a more aggressive riding position than the previous models, and hence, you sit in a bit more leaning forward position. As already mentioned, the bike is one of the best handlers in the segment and the same goes true for the R15 V3.0 as well. The clip-on handlebars benefit a lot in the sharp handling of the bike and you can zig-zag through traffic rather easily. The suspension duties are handled by a conventional telescopic fork up at the front along with a rear monoshock suspension.

In terms of safety, the Yamaha YZF-R15 V3.0 gets a full LED headlamp section that illuminates the road better than a conventional unit.  The bike also gets a USB charging facility so that you can connect your phone and other peripheral devices while on the go. The new R15 V3.0 also gets a fully digital instrument cluster with an easy to read layout. The safety on the new R15 V3.0 further takes up a notch as it comes with disc brake at both the wheels. The grippy 100/80-17 front and 140/70-17 MRF tyres offer confidence even at high speeds during corners, enhancing the safety quotient.