Yamaha unveil YZF-R15 in Indonesia

Yamaha has finally unveiled the YZF-R15 Version 3.0, the successor to the now ageing R15 V2.0, in Jakarta, Indonesia. The bike was unveiled to the public by the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team — Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales.

Visually, the R15 has been heavily updated and the new one borrows design cues heavily from the new YZF-R6. The front is more angular, with the headlamps being sharper and split by a faux air intake. It also gets body coloured alloys, a wider rider’s seat and addressing a grouse most people had with the older R15 — a lower pillion seat. The tank seems to be more chilled as well for better support to the rider’s thighs. Weight distribution is now a perfect 50:50, adding to the overall stability the bike provides.  Overall, the bike looks sharper and purposeful and this should go down well with the sporty crowd it appeals to.

The R15 retains the Deltabox frame, but Yamaha has chucked out the conventional forks and replaced them with USD units. At the heart of the motorcycle is a liquid-cooled 155cc that produces 19bhp at 10,000rpm and 14.7Nm of torque at 8,500rpm — an increase of 2bhp from the bike it replaces. Interestingly, the new bike also gets variable-valve timing and a compression ratio of 11.6:1, which is rather high for a small-capacity engine. However, this means the R15 will need high-quality fuel and Yamaha might just detune it when they bring it to India. The bike also gets a six-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch. Tyres are fatter too — a 100-section in the front and a 140-section in the rear. Stopping comes courtesy dual disc brakes, but there is no ABS available on it yet. he tank seems to be more chilled as well for better support to the rider’s thighs. Weight distribution is now a perfect 50:50, adding to the overall stability the bike provides.

Yamaha will announce pricing for the new motorcycle in Indonesia by med-February, however they have given no indication of when this bike is expected in India. Check out the detailed specifications below:

Overall Length x Width x Height       : 1990 x 725 x 1135 mm
Seat Height                                             : 815 mm
Wheelbase                                               : 1325 mm
Wet Weight                                             : 137 kg
Engine Type                                        : Liquid Cooled 4-stroke, SOHC
Cylinder Arrangement                         : Single cylinder
Cylinder Volume                                : 155.1cc
Bore x Stroke                                      : 58 x 58.7 mm
Compression Ratio                               : 11.6 : 1
Maximum Power                                   : 19.04bhp / 10,000 rpm
Maximum Torque                                  : 14.7 Nm / 8500 rpm
Starting System                                      : Electric
Fuel Tank Capacity                              : 11 Litre
Fuel System                                         : Fuel Injection
Clutch Type                                         : Wet Type Multi-Plate Clutch
Tire Size (Front/Rear)                          : 100/80-17M/C 52P (Front) & 140/70-17M/C 66S (Rear)