Yamaha YZF-R15

When it comes to the looks, Yamaha hits the bull’s eye without any doubt. The R15 tries to imitate the visual appeal and stance of the mighty YZF R1, and in some ways, it does it quite well. The front end is inspired by the M1 Moto GP bike and features a central intake with slim LED headlights on both sides. Above it, there is a large and aerodynamic windshield. The fuel tank is muscular and chiseled whose front gills make it look menacing. 

On the sides, a large angled low mounted muffler carries the lines of the bike very well. The rear subframe is beefy. The R1 clearly inspires the racy tail section and the seat. The tail section might be a work of art, but the seat on top of it is almost useless. There are no grab rails either. The single-piece taillight also cuts a pretty figure from the rear. The only criticism is drawn by the indicators mounted on stalks that look very much like an afterthought. 

The bike has well-proportioned dimensions of 1990 mm length, 725 mm wide, 1135 mm tall, and a 1325 mm wheelbase. The ground clearance measures 170 mm, while the 17-inch Y spoke alloys wheels with wide 100/80 front and 140/70 rear tires round out the bike’s appearance. The available color choices are Race Blu, Matte Black, and Matte Yellow.

Inside the cockpit, the fully digital instrument panel displays the speed, rpm, odometer, gear position indicator, fuel consumption, fuel capacity, and warning lights. Moreover, a gear shift warning light is also included, and LED lighting is used all around.

Yamaha R15 comes with a ride height of 815 mm, which many riders find it difficult to grab. The rear set footpegs and low handlebars make for a crouched seating position that is meant for racing and little else. This bike cannot be used for commuting. Also, the rigid 37 mm USD front forks and monoshock rear have the same things to say about comfort, but they make up for it by giving the bike excellent handling. A lighter and wider aluminium swingarm complements the rigid Deltabox frame. The 139 kg weight makes it very easy to flick around. Turn-ins are made easy by the wide and confidence-boosting tires. 

Yamaha YZF R15 is powered by a 155-cc liquid-cooled and fuel-injected SOHC single-cylinder producing 19 hp of power at 10000 rpm and 14.7 Nm of peak torque at 8500 rpm. The engine is paired with a six-speed transmission. With variable valve actuation on board, it can rev higher and possesses a wide powerband. 

Not only this, but Yamaha has also included improvements like better airflow through bigger valves, airbox, injectors, and throttle bodies. A forged piston and Diasil cylinder keep the engine cooler. The slipper clutch allows smoother and quicker downshifts, whereas a bypass thermostat allows lower complemented times. The combination of all these features results in better performance of the bike at higher revs without feeling like it is going to explode.

For braking and safety, Yamaha equipped the R15 with a 282 mm disc brake at the front and another disc at the rear. Though these appear enough for the intended purpose, it would have been better if Yamaha brought ABS on board to supervise the braking duties. At such a high price range, this decision does not seem to make a lot of sense.

Yamaha has been introduced some very interesting bikes recently, and this might just be the most exciting of them all. Yamaha’s ardent fans should be more than satisfied with the YZF R15’s newest iteration.