Yamaha Motor India has launched a series of products, including the Aerox 155 which is currently India’s most powerful scooter, though the headliner of the event is the facelifted Yamaha R15 v4, being launched in India before any other market globally along with the all-new R15M. Both bikes get a new design inspired by the YZF R7 and a tonne of exciting upgrades and features, including a quick shifter on some variants!
First things first, let’s talk about the styling. The new bikes get a completely redesigned front which Yamaha claims improves the aerodynamics of the bike as compared to previous models. The headlights are integrated into the cowl and sit right in the centre with a circular LED headlamp that doubles up as both the low and high beam.. On the periphery of the cowl sits the sleek LED position lights. The fairing on the side is a bit different as well, now looking more like a single-piece thanks to new graphics and is also more rounded-off in some areas, as compared to the outgoing R15 which had sharper edges. However, it gets the same Deltabox Frame that was featured first on version 3.0.
If the looks weren’t revolutionary enough, the equipment list sure is. For the first time, the R15 gets traction control, which comes as standard on both variants, R15 V4 and R15M, along with a slipper clutch. The new bikes also get a quick shifter, as standard on the M variant and the Racing Blue R15 v4. Adding on to the new features the 2021 R15 series is a new digital LCD cluster inspired by the YZF R1, and it gets two ride modes for the cluster which changes the information displayed to you. Track mode shows lap times while Street mode displays average speed, mileage, coolant temperature and battery power. The new R15 also features Bluetooth connectivity and a Y-Connect app for smartphones that will show important information on the phone like trip information, and display some information on the cluster like call alerts and messages.
Now, coming to how the M variant is different from the standard R15: it gets an R15M 3D logo, R15M logo engraved on the top cap, a ‘special seat’, gold brake calipers, a grey colour swingarm and muffler guard. If that was not enough, the M variant is also with a Monster Synergy Moto GP livery.
The engine and mechanicals stay the same as the outgoing R15 — a 155cc, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, four-valve, fuel-injected engine that produces 18.1bhp at 10,000rpm and 14.2Nm at 8500rpm. Dual-channel channel ABS, side stand engine cut-off switch and a few more features are carried over from the earlier model. What is new though is an upside-down fork set up on the front suspension which is bound to improve the overall riding quality of the bike.
The 2021 R15 also has a wide range of accessories available such as — clutch/brake lever, frame slider, lever guard, mobile charger, seat cover, skid plate and a tank pad, all of which cost a total of Rs 5000.
The R15 comes in three colour options — Metallic Red, Dark Knight and Racing Blue priced at Rs 1.67 lakh, Rs 1.68 lakh and Rs 1.72 lakh, respectively. The R15M gets a Metallic Grey paint scheme which is priced at Rs 1.77 lakh and the Monster Synergy Moto GP livery edition that costs Rs 1.78 lakh. This marks a hike of roughly Rs 10,000 over the outgoing R15 for the base variant, while the R15M is a full Rs 20,000 more expensive than the outgoing R15. This makes it more expensive than rival Suzuki Gixxer SF.