Yamaha MT 15 V2.0

Based on the iconic and popular Yamaha R15, the Yamaha MT 15 is the Japanese bikemaker’s attempt at a small capacity performance-based motorcycle. The MT 15 looks fancy and shares the same engine as its supersport sibling.

Design

The MT 15 has an aggressive streetfighter look with its headlight section featuring a single projector LED headlamp and DRLs; Very similar to the face of a transformer. The large tank extensions and overall bodywork gives the bike a commanding presence on road even though it has a small profile.

With the addition of golden inverted forks, Yamaha has given the bike a new personality, the bike looks quite premium now and has a proper street fighter stance when compared to the first version of the bike. However, we would have liked it better if the MT 15 took some design inspiration from the new Yamaha MT 03, which would have made the MT 15 a bit more menacing. 

Lastly, coming to the build quality. Yamaha has done quite a bit to improve things in this department but even then the new switchgears don’t feel premium and the placement of the horn and indicators will take some time to get used to. The pillion grabrail looks more like an afterthought given the coarse welds. The seat also comes off as a bit flimsy.

Engine, Mileage And Performance

The MT 15 is powered by the same engine as the R15; a 155cc liquid-cooled, single cylinder motor that produces 18.4PS and 14.1Nm. The power figures are decent and the engine is quite tractable, making riding at speeds as low as 25kmph in 6th gear quite easy.

Now, such tractability is surely impressive especially in a high revving engine but it is the only good part. The bike doesn’t feel alive under 6000rpm and the engine feels a bit lacking when it comes to bottom end grunt, not something you’d expect from a streetfighter. After 6000rpm the bike feels alive and can easily cruise at speeds of around 100kmph, but vibrations can be felt on the handlebar and footpegs after this. The vibrations aren’t really intense but the presence is felt. 

The MT 15 shines in the city with light clutch action, a slick gearbox and tractable nature of the engine makes short commutes an easy affair. But overall, the bike does feel a bit restrained when trying to ride fast.

Handling And Ride Quality

The inverted fork and cast aluminum swingarm that the MT 15 now gets has made the bike more stable, especially at the front end. The bike now inspires more confidence when committing to corners. The increase in stability also doesn’t come at the cost of agility, the bike is as agile and nimble as the first version on city roads, living up to its streetfighter DNA. 

The brakes on the MT 15 were one weak point, the front disc does always give adequate feedback but the rear one had no feel at all and it was easy to get your wheel locked up and sliding when braking hard. Now with the introduction of dual-channel ABS, this issue has been solved to a great extent. 

Comfort

The riding posture of the MT 15 is like a typical streetfighter, which combines a flat-low handlebar and rear-set footpegs giving a slightly forward leaning posture but one that isn’t too committed. This is really a good deal for riders who like the R15’s performance but don’t like the committed riding posture and discomfort that comes with it. 

The MT 15 has a single piece seat that is neither too hard nor too soft. While it is comfortable when riding for short distances in the city, long rides on the highway will result in an uncomfortable experience. Another issue with the seat is that there’s very little space for the pillion and the mount for the number plate is longer than the pillion seat. 

The suspension setup is a bit stiff and not being careful when going over bumpy roads will result in the rider being tossed off the saddle. So slowing down on speed breakers and undulations might get necessary.

Features

The MT 15 has a negatively lit, fully-digital LCD instrument console which gives readouts such as speed, gear position, fuel level, time, trip meters and odometers. It also provides good visibility in all lighting conditions. The Yamaha Y-Connect App also allows riders to connect their smartphone via Bluetooth to get functionalities like Call/SMS alerts and last parked location. But the most disappointing thing is that it misses out on turn-by-turn navigation.

Verdict

If you are looking for a streetfighter that is easy to handle in the city and provides a good riding experience overall then the MT 15 is a good choice. But if you are looking for more features and a more comfortable riding experience then you should look into its rivals like the KTM 125 Duke and the Bajaj Pulsar NS200.