Vietnam gets the 2019 Yamaha Y15ZR; Malaysia next?

KUALA LUMPUR: The moped segment is flourishing in Asian countries. These two-wheeled beauties are so popular in the region and are sold in good numbers. The Yamaha Y15ZR is one such moped, and Vietnam gets the 2019 model at 47.49 million Vietnamese Dong (RM 8,290).

The 2019 Yamaha Y15ZR, which is known as the Exciter 150 in Vietnam, gets a few changes to rope in more customers. There is a new three-element LED headlight for better illumination. The cowl has also been revised a little. The major change on the 2019 model is the inclusion of a new full-LCD instrument cluster that replaces the old unit. The new one shows information like gear position indicator, fuel level, tachometer, speedometer, etc.

Yamaha has also given the 2019 Y15ZR a wider front tire - 90/80-17 - to provide that much more contact area with the ground for better grip and handling. To accommodate the new section tire, Yamaha also had to update the fender. Also, the new Y15ZR is a bit longer and wider than the earlier model. The new features add 2 kg to the overall weight of the moped.

Powering the 2019 Yamaha Y15ZR is the same 150 cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, engine that has been tuned to produce a max power of 15.4 PS at 8,500 revs and generates 13.8 Nm of peak torque at 7,000 revs. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. What else remains the same on the new model is the chassis and the fuel tank capacity (4.2-litre).

The new 2019 Y15ZR here in Vietnam comes with a 3-year or 30,000 km warranty (whichever comes first). In Malaysia, Yamaha introduced the Y15ZR in 2015 and even gave it a slight update in 2017. It would be too early to say anything about whether the 2019 model will be launched in our market or not. But since this update brings in features that would be desirable by the customers, Yamaha might, eventually, launch it in Malaysia as well. As of now, there is no official statement about the same.