Yamaha R15 V4 and R15M launched in India

Yamaha has finally launched the fourth-generation model of its famous entry-level sports bike, YZF-R15, in India. The Japanese motorbike is available in two variants – a standard R15 V4 and a sportier R15M. The 155cc motorcycle has been priced at a premium of around ₹10,000 from the older version 3. The 2021 Yamaha R15 gets a starting price tag of ₹1,67,800, while the R15M demands an additional ₹10,000, pushing its ex-showroom cost to ₹1,77,800.

Yamaha is also offering a limited edition Monster Energy MotoGP Edition of the new R15M, for which you will have to shell out ₹1,79,800. Another paint option on the R15M comes in the form of a Metallic Grey colour, reminiscent of the bigger Yamaha YZF-R1M. On the other hand, the standard YZF-R15 V4 gets three colours – Racing Blue, Dark Knight, and Metallic Red.

Much to the Yamaha enthusiasts’ delight, India is the first country to receive the R15 V4. More excitingly, the new 155cc Japanese motorbike has gone through a major design and feature update. In terms of looks, it draws inspiration from its more powerful sibling, the new Yamaha YZF-R7.

The new front fascia ditches the dual-LED headlamp arrangement and now flaunts a more aggressive-looking section that houses a single bi-functional LED projector headlight flanked by LED DRLs. The old telescopic fork setup upfront has also been upgraded to the premium upside-down front fork. The split seat still comes suspended on a preload-adjustable monoshock.

Other familiar elements carried forward from the outgoing model of the R15 are the 17-inch tyres and the dual-channel ABS assisted single disc brakes attached to both alloy wheels. The overall kerb weight (142 kg), seat height (815 mm), and fuel tank capacity (11 litres) of the new R15 remain the same as the old version.

In terms of features, the new R15 has received a host of updated features, including a Traction Control System as well as a Quick Shifter. These features are generally found only on the higher, and much premium set of superbikes. The Quick Shifter is exclusive to R15M, however, is also available on the Racing Blue shade of the standard R15 V4. Both versions of the bike get a new Bluetooth enabled LCD instrument cluster inspired by Yamaha R1 that now displays gear shift indicator, and track & street mode.

Keeping the Quick Shifter aside, the R15 V4 and the R15M are exactly the same motorbikes, with the exception of some additional and exclusive bits on the R15M like the anodized blue fork caps, golden coloured brake callipers, carbon fibre-like seat cover material and embroidered logo on the pillion seat.

The 2021 R15 is still powered by the reliable 155cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled Yamaha engine featuring the 4-Valve Actuation system. This power unit churns out 18.1bhp of maximum power at 10,000 rpm and 14.2Nm of peak torque at 7,500 rpm. The fuel-injected motor is mated with a highly responsive six-speed gearbox transmission. Additionally, the slip & assist clutch is standard on this entry-level sports offering from Yamaha.