5 Yamaha Bikes We Wished Yamaha Launched In India

Published September 14, 2026
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Yamaha, if you’re listening, we have five suggestions

Yamaha Bikes We Want In India: Tenere 700, R9 & More

Yamaha has a rather interesting global motorcycle portfolio, but Indian buyers have missed out on several of its most exciting models. While we do get motorcycles like the R15 V4 and the brand-new R2, there are quite a few global Yamahas that could make a strong case for themselves here. From middleweight ADVs to practical performance bikes, here are five Yamaha motorcycles we wish the company had launched in India.

Yamaha Tenere 700

The Tenere 700 has been a long time coming, and we still wish Yamaha would bring it to India before launching any other big-bike. The middleweight ADV segment is already packed with capable options such as the Honda XL750 Transalp, Suzuki V-Strom 800DE and Aprilia Tuareg 660. With the Norton Atlas also expected to enter the segment, the Tenere 700 feels like an obvious omission. Its rugged build, long-travel suspension, and proven parallel-twin engine would make it an excellent adventure motorcycle for India.

Yamaha R9

The R9 could be the perfect supersport for riders who want serious performance without stepping into the 1000cc segment. Powered by Yamaha’s 890cc three-cylinder engine, it offers a significant performance upgrade over the R3 while being more approachable than a litre-class supersport. It also gets Yamaha’s sharp R-series styling and sporty chassis. For enthusiasts looking to graduate to a proper performance motorcycle, the R9 could have been a very compelling option in India.

Yamaha MT-07

The MT-07 would make for an excellent upgrade for riders moving up from motorcycles such as the KTM 390 Duke R and the Aprilia Tuono 457. Its 689cc parallel-twin engine offers plenty of usable performance without requiring riders to make the jump into the 800-900cc category. The lightweight nature and aggressive styling of the MT-07 would also suit Indian roads well. With the middleweight segment growing rapidly, this is one Yamaha bike that could have found plenty of takers here.

Yamaha WR155R

First showcased in India at the 2025 Auto Expo, the WR 155R could have been Yamaha’s affordable and lightweight entry into the ADV world. Its 155cc liquid-cooled engine, long-travel suspension, and relatively light kerb weight make it much more suited to exploring rough roads than most conventional road-focused motorcycles. It would also offer an accessible way for younger enthusiasts to get into off-road riding without having to spend big money on a larger ADV. In a market increasingly interested in small-capacity adventure motorcycles, the WR 155R could have been an interesting proposition.

Updated Yamaha R3

The R3 (now discontinued) has been one of Yamaha’s longest-running offerings in India, but there’s one major problem: we have often received an older-generation version while the rest of the world gets newer updates. The latest 2026 R3 continues to offer a smooth twin-cylinder engine, lightweight chassis, and approachable performance, but the updated styling and equipment would make it far more desirable here. Yamaha already has an established fan base for the R3 in India, so bringing the latest version could be an easy win.

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