Yamaha MT-15, The R15 For Everyday Use, Launched

After multiple teasers, Yamaha has finally launched the MT-15 in India. Placed as a premium 150cc offering, it has been priced at Rs 1.36 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). This makes it Rs 40,650 more expensive than Yamaha’s other 150cc naked motorcycle, the FZ-Fi Version 3.0, and only Rs 3,350 cheaper than its faired cousin, the R15 V3.0 (Rs 1.39 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi). So what do you get here?

For the uninitiated, the Yamaha MT-15 is based on the R15 V3.0, sans the fairing and aggressive riding position. Instead, it gets a muscular design inspired by Yamaha’s top-of-the-line naked lineup in India, the MT-09. Feature list here consists of LED headlamps and tail lamps, a slipper clutch, a fully-digital instrument console and a single-channel ABS system instead of a dual-channel setup seen on the international-spec bike. 

Powering the motorcycle is the same 155cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine we’ve seen on the R15 V3.0. It churns out the same 19.3PS of power at 10,000rpm and torque of 14.7Nm at 8,500rpm. However, Yamaha has tuned the engine to make it more street-friendly. The MT-15 is mated to a 6-speed gearbox, aided by a slipper clutch.

Underpinnings are slightly different here compared to the international-spec bike. For example, the India-spec version gets conventional telescopic forks and a box-type swingarm instead of USD forks and an aluminium swingarm. We suspect this was done to keep costs in check. We’ve already seen the India-spec R15 V3.0 getting a similar treatment. Braking duties on the MT-15 are handled by 282mm disc brake at the front and 220mm one at the rear. 

Dealers across the country have started accepting bookings of the motorcycle for a token of Rs 5,000. The Yamaha MT-15 will compete against the KTM 125 Duke (Rs 1.17 lakh), Bajaj Pulsar NS200 (Rs 1.12 lakh) and the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V ABS (Rs 1.11 lakh, all ex-showroom Delhi). We will be taking the Yamaha MT-15 for a spin at the Buddh International Circuit today, so stay tuned for our first impressions!