The R15 has been the beacon of accessible sportbikes in India, currently it rivals the Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and Hero Karizma XMR.
The Yamaha R15 has been around for close to two decades in India and it has played a key role in cementing the company’s reputation as a maker of accessible yet high-quality, capable and sporty machines. In its latest (and fourth) iteration now, the R15 is more advanced than ever before and here we’ll first list out some reasons why this little sportbike should be on your wishlist.
1 Sleek, full-faired design
R15’s proper sportbike design is one of its biggest draws
The reason many of us gravitate towards sportbikes is because they have sharp, aerodynamic full fairings that give them a sleek, catchy design. The R15 V4 borrows its design language from the bigger R-series bikes, albeit in a much more compact and scaled-down manner but still manages to turn heads like nothing else in this displacement range.
2 Lovely, connected handling
Provides genuine sportbike handling in an attainable package
The way a pukka sportbike handles when shown a set of curves is a thing of beauty and this small Yamaha manages to deliver in spades on that count. Its deltabox frame and taut suspension provide ample feedback and instill confidence in newer and experienced riders alike, making the R15 a promising place to start if you’re looking to get into trackdays.
3 Top notch quality, feel-good features
Yamaha quality is at a high standard; has a TFT and quickshifter on some variants
Japanese products (even if they’re made in India) have almost always set a high baseline when it comes to quality and fit and finish. The R15 is no different with tactile switchgear, no uneven panel gaps and high quality plastics used in its sleek fairing. In its higher-spec M guise or the MotoGP paint variant, the R15 even has a colour TFT display as well as an up-only quickshifter, the latter is something that no other 150cc bike in India offers.
4 Easy to maintain and run
It is a very reliable machine that’s easy on your pocket to run
The Yamaha R15 has been around for long enough now that sourcing spares and essential parts is a straightforward and cost-effective process. Add to that, it has cemented itself as a bulletproof machine in the long run, which gives peace of mind when putting your hard-earned money down on a new purchase. And since it uses a small, yet modern liquid-cooled, 155cc engine, its mileage is also respectable for a performance-oriented machine, making it that much sweeter.
All of that being said, there are two important things to keep in mind before you pony up Yamaha’s asking price for the R15.
1 Pricey for what it is
It is the most expensive 150cc-segment motorcycle in India
With a price tag that ranges anywhere from Rs 1.84 lakh to Rs 2.12 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the R15 has become quite a pricey purchase. This is especially highlighted when compared to a rival like the more powerful and practical Hero Karizma XMR 210 which is priced between Rs 1.81 lakh – Rs 2.02 lakh.
2 Committed ergonomics
Racy riding position is not conducive to longer trips and daily usage
With every passing generation, the Yamaha R15 has become more and more committed in terms of the rider’s triangle. The latest version is perhaps the most focused machine in terms of ergonomics in the sub-600cc class in India and if you’re looking to buy an R15 only for daily commutes and some leisurely trips, its sibling, the MT-15 would be a better choice.
Also See: Kawasaki Ninja 300: 4 reasons to buy and 2 reasons not to
