India’s Yamaha R15 V 3.0 was released a few years ago at a price of Rs. 1.25 lakh. In fact, designers drove the motorbike for the first time at the Madras Motor Race Track, but later people get to ride it in the real world, in the city, and on the highway, to see how it works if they were to use it on a daily basis. The Yamaha R 15 V 3.0 is all about performance, and it appears like it’ll offer you the pleasure of a larger motorbike. The Yamaha R15 in its most recent incarnation is all you could desire from a motorbike under 1.5 lakh rupees. It is India’s most powerful 150cc motorcycle. It is the only bike in its class with VVA and an Assist-and-Slip clutch, and it handles well.
Appearance
The bike looks stylish and demands a second glance when traveling along the road, taking inspiration from its elder brothers, the R1 and the R6. Along with the slim headlights, the arrow-head styled air vent in between LED lighting up front creates an aggressive visage. Although it doesn’t go all the way to the bottom and leaves the engine exposed, the fairing itself is well-designed and fits well in the broader scheme of things. When seen from the side, the sculpted fuel tank and upswept exhaust offer the bike an aggressive appearance. The fact that there is a sense of equilibrium is a plus.
The design is not overly busy or overbearing, but neither is it too simple that the bike gets lost in a sea of numerous two-wheelers on the highway. However, there is a grouse! The bike’s fit and finish might have been better. The test bike’s windscreen might shake a little and there could be unsightly weld places on the Deltabox frame, as well as some questionable plastics on the switchgear.
Features
The bike comes with dual LED headlights, an LED tail lamp, a completely computerized and comprehensive instruments dashboard, and an assist and slipper clutch, to name a few features. The R15 variant, which is offered in Southeast Asia, comes with upside-down forks and ABS, whereas the Indian-spec model does not, presumably because the costs would skyrocket! Yamaha could have included ABS as an option on the new-generation R15, because with the sort of performance it offers, ABS should have been standard. A USB charger is included, as well as a variety of extra equipment including a Daytona exhaust and Metzeler rear tire, all of which come at a fee. The Metzelers, on the other hand, should have been available on both wheels.
Technical Specifications
· Engine Type — Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valve
· Max Power — 18.6 PS @ 10000 rpm
· Max Torque — 14.1 Nm @ 8500 rpm
· Displacement — 155 cc
· No. of Cylinders — 1
· Fuel Capacity — 11 L
· Front and Rear Brakes — Disc
Mileage
· On Road — 39 Kmpl
· On Highways — 43 Kmpl
· In Traffic — 30 Kmpl
· The ARAI Mileage — 48.75 Kmpl
Performance and the Engine
The engine of the new-generation R15 has been updated. It’s a 155cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that produces 19 horsepower at 10,000 rpm and 15.1 Nm of peak torque at 8,500 rpm. Then there’s the 6-speed gearbox, which is rather smooth. The variable valve actuator, or VVA, is the engine’s most significant modification. In layman’s terms, variable valve timing is a system that allows the engine to produce more torque and force at both ends of the rpm range. This means you start in second gear, rev aggressively, and as you move up the ratios, you can feel the bike’s internals churning and dispensing a lavish range of power and torque from 5,000 rpm to the red line. The bike hits unlawful speeds in much less duration than expected.
The 6-speed gearbox, in conjunction with the engine, performs admirably. You approach a bend, slam on the brakes, shift down two gears in a flash, and accelerate hard, and the whole thing puts a huge smile on your face. The slip-and-assist clutch is a sector first that performs admirably. Hard downshifts seldom cause the rear to lock up and slip out of control.
Braking and Handling
The new-generation R15 is sure-footed and agile, just like it should be. It has little trouble quickly shifting directions. Whether you’re slamming the bike into a corner or weaving your way through traffic, the R15 can handle it all with ease. Because the MRF Nylogrip tires are not really the sturdiest of the bunch, even if they are wide enough, you have to take your time trusting the bike in turns. That way, you’ll be able to push the bike even harder and with more confidence. The R15 V3 now has a larger front disc of 282 mm and a 220 mm rear disc. While the brakes are decent, they could be a little crisper. The braking is smooth, although a little extra bite would have been nice. ABS is, without a doubt, severely missed.
Ergonomics and Ride Quality
The bike has a decent riding quality. The suspension isn’t particularly firm. On daily roads, it absorbs shocks and cracked asphalt better. The R15 V3’s riding position is even more committed, with the seat height raised by 15 mm and the clip-on handlebars dropped even farther than before. Is it just a matter of growing used to it? Perhaps, but a long daily journey, especially during the summer, could be exhausting.
The Overall Review
The Yamaha R15’s third-generation embodies everything the R15 has always stood for. It’s pure, unadulterated joy, and it’s not even that expensive. It is currently valued at 1.26 lakh rupees. Except for the lack of ABS and the stickier basic tires, there isn’t much we could criticize about the bike. The bike’s performance is exciting, and it begs to be ridden aggressively. If you enjoy quick corners and want to get your feet wet on lower displacement motorcycles before progressing to larger bikes, this is the bike for you.
