Introduction
Yamaha Motor India launched R15 in 2008. It is a small version of Yamaha R1. It is a super-sport motorcycle built for track. It was a most powerful 150cc. In 2011, R15 received a update with increased geometry and thicker rubber and now this machine can attack and eat some serious corners. The v2 was a huge success and sold like hot cakes. This was the entry level motorcycle who wants to do track and was famous among the youth. In January 2017, R15 received a major update and called as R15 v3. Lets discuss in detail about this motorcycle.
Engine
Yamaha R15 is powered by a liquid-cooled 155cc fuel-injected, BS-VI compliant petrol engine. This engine produces class leading power figures at 18.3 bhp 10,000 rpm and 14.1 Nm of torque at 8,500 rpm. This engine is mated to 6-speed manual transmission via Slip and assist multi-plate clutch.
R15 v3 is equipped with VVA technology. Variable Valve Actuation means that it has two cam profiles for inlet manifold. One is for operating on lower rpms and other cam for better top end. The cam shifts at 7000 rpm and it feels like a blast. The engine gets a new character and performs just like the big bikes. This technology has helped it to achieve such power figures. The older engine lack low end and mid end punch as all the power lied in top end. When ridden at lower rpms it didn't had that big bike feel. But due to VVA mid end is superb and top end is just marvelous. Icing to the cake is the addition of slipper clutch. Yes in an entry level motorcycle we now get a slipper clutch which makes downshifts easier. You can now put the motorcycle from fifth to second without rear wheel locking.
R15 is under-pinned by the Deltabox frame. It is derived from its big daddy R1. This is the same chassis used since v2. It has got front end wheel with 51%-49% weight distribution. The seat height is optimum at 815 mm and makes it accessible for almost all riders. It is lower by 20 mm from the v2 to lower the centre of gravity. It is 1990 mm in length, 725 mm wide and 1135 mm high. The ground clearance is enough at 170 mm. It can glide over speed breakers and and can into corner without the belly touching the ground. The weight is just 142 kgs, it increased due to BS-VI norms but still it has a power to weight ratio of 128.8 bhp per ton. It is more than its predecessor despite being heavy.
The wheels used are 17 inch alloy wheels. The front wheel gets a 100/80-17 tyre and a 140/70-17 rear tyre. These are MRFs as standard and more gripy Michelin can also be opted for only for rear. On the front Yamaha disappointed Indians by giving us conventional forks. On the international market R15 is equipped with USD forks. The front forks are 43 mm in conventional fork suspension. On the rear we get a linked type mono-shock suspension. The mono-shock is linked to a aluminium swing arm.
Yamaha R15 v3 gets a complete overhaul on the inside and outside as well. The design is inspired from the bigger R1 and R6 and now all the R machines gets a similar kind of design to resemble that they belong to similar family. Starting with the front, the fairing has been completely redesigned. The front fascia signifies the R1 with a fake RAM intake like design and two sharp eye like LED headlamps. The throw is not much and light is spread from this setup, It is not brightest but we can live with it. The clear visor is of good length to offer good wind protection when tucked down.
On the side the tank design is quite similar to R1 with vents over it like the moto GP bike M1. It got some good cuts and creases to lock your knees while cornering. The lower half of fairing or the belly is finished in black plastic to reduce the visual bulk. The exhaust has been completely overhauled and now this machine sound better even on stock exhaust. We can opt for Daytona exhaust but it will void the warranty and is illegal on public roads. The rear section is just awesome. We get completely R1 look alike rear. The tail section gets some serious aerodynamic vents as seen on super-bikes. The rear seat section is bit lower than v2 but is high enough to easily accommodate a pillion, But who cares.
The tail light is a led unit with a single strip like the R1. The rear end of R15 looks surreal.
R15 v3 is equipped with VVA technology. Variable Valve Actuation means that it has two cam profiles for inlet manifold. One is for operating on lower rpms and other cam for better top end. The cam shifts at 7000 rpm and it feels like a blast. The engine gets a new character and performs just like the big bikes. This technology has helped it to achieve such power figures. The older engine lack low end and mid end punch as all the power lied in top end. When ridden at lower rpms it didn't had that big bike feel. But due to VVA mid end is superb and top end is just marvelous. Icing to the cake is the addition of slipper clutch. Yes in an entry level motorcycle we now get a slipper clutch which makes downshifts easier. You can now put the motorcycle from fifth to second without rear wheel locking.Chassis, Suspension and Brakes
R15 is under-pinned by the Deltabox frame. It is derived from its big daddy R1. This is the same chassis used since v2. It has got front end wheel with 51%-49% weight distribution. The seat height is optimum at 815 mm and makes it accessible for almost all riders. It is lower by 20 mm from the v2 to lower the centre of gravity. It is 1990 mm in length, 725 mm wide and 1135 mm high. The ground clearance is enough at 170 mm. It can glide over speed breakers and and can into corner without the belly touching the ground. The weight is just 142 kgs, it increased due to BS-VI norms but still it has a power to weight ratio of 128.8 bhp per ton. It is more than its predecessor despite being heavy.  |
| Aluminium Swing arm |
For the braking, we get a big 282 mm front disc with dual piston caliper and on rear we get 220 mm disc with floating caliper. The motorcycle is equipped with Dual Channel ABS as standard to ensure that there is no wheel lock ups.
Aesthetics
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| Racing Blue |
The tail light is a led unit with a single strip like the R1. The rear end of R15 looks surreal.
Features
We get a new fully digital instrument cluster with white back-lit. It can be easily read under the sun and in the dark as well. The cluster comprises of a tachometer on the top, a gear position indicator on the top left and odometer on the bottom left. A big speedometer in the centre and fuel gauge in the bottom right. The placement is ideal and everything can be read easily. Clock and two trip-meters can be altered with the menu button on the cluster. When the VVA system is active there is a white light which flashes and a VVA logo which gets activated in the cluster. We can even get our name displayed in the cluster when the ignition is turned on. Average fuel economy can also be displayed on the cluster. Tell-tale lights are present on the sides of cluster.
There is no pillion grab-rail. Now R15 gets dual horn which sounds premium. A side stand cutooff feature is to prevent unnecessary start and acts as safety feature which ensures to lift off stand while riding.
Price & Colours
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| Darknight Black |
Yamaha R15 is available in three colours and these have their individual price. So you pay according to the colour you want, this is strange, because every colour gets some unique treatment.They are as follow:
- Thunder grey 1,45,961/-
- Racing Blue 1,46,479/-
- Darknight Black 1,47,961/-
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