Motorheads, if you are in the market looking for a powerful 150cc sportbike, look no further. The Yamaha YZF-R15 V3 has redefined the Indian market in this segment. It serves as a daily ride but can also be taken to the track any day.
Currently, it is the sportiest bike in the segment and rivals against the KTM RC 200 from the next segment. The performance on the bike has increased since the last generation and the introduction of better technology has ensured that the R15 V3 has reduced the gap between the two segments.
While it has many unique features that appeal to the customers, some of them stand out more than the others. At present, the Yamaha YZF-R15 V3 is available in India with a starting price tag of INR 1.40 lakh (ex-showroom India). Here are 5 reasons why you should consider buying the R15 V3 over any other bike in this price range.
5 Reasons to Buy Yamaha YZF-R15 V3
1) True Value for Money
This bike has been priced just right, almost in the range of a normal college-goer and while some may argue that it is priced on the higher side for a 150cc bike, the mere performance of the R15 V3 can render that argument moot.
When a 150cc bike is comparable to a 200cc bike, you can understand that the technology and the hardware that went into making the hardware will be well worth the money. The R15 V3 features dual-channel ABS for additional rider safety. Moreover, Yamaha is known for its build quality, so you can assure yourself that the materials used in the making of the bike will be of the top quality as well.
An additional 2.8HP of power that has been provided on this generation over the previous one without a significant increase in the displacement of the engine is evidence of the advances that Yamaha is making in terms of technology. The V3 also offers a slipper and assist clutch for increased performance and comfort while shifting the gears This bike performs well and is assured to leave the rider in awe even at low speeds.
2) Powerful Engine
The engine was not upgraded much when the bike was upgraded in the first two generations. However, this time the story has changed drastically. The introduction of Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) to help the engine breathe better at higher rpm has ensured that the performance is not lost on the higher revs. The VVA system kicks in at the 7400 rpm mark and ensures that the loss in torque is not that high.
The compression ratio has been increased to 11.6 compared to the previous 10.4 and this has been done by the ten-hole fuel injector that feeds the fuel into the pent-roof design combustion chamber. The crankcase has also been modified to reduce the pumping losses. The slipper clutch has ensured that the rear wheel does not hop around when the rider downshifts in an aggressive manner.
- Engine Displacement – 155.1 cc
- Maximum Power – 19.3 HP @ 10,000 rpm
- Maximum Torque – 14.7 Nm @ 8500 rpm
- Number of Cylinders – 1
- Number of Gears – 6
- Top Speed – 136 kmph (Approx.)
- Mileage – 40-45 kmpl (Approx.)
3) Excellent Handling
Some of the seasoned riders would prefer the V1 over any of the other generations of the R15 merely for its handling. That one reserves a special connection with the rider and almost as if reading the rider’s mind it turned into corners and weaved through the traffic. Yamaha increased the wheelbase and the size of the tires and traded some of the lightness of the V1 for more confidence in the V2.
With the Yamaha YZF-R15 V3, the tire size has been increased furthermore but the wheelbase has been reduced considerably from 1345mm to 1325mm. This has brought in mixed feelings from the riders as the wheelbase is still not as tight as the original 1290mm. The rake has been sharpened by half a degree and the trail has also been decreased by 10mm. The latest generation is also heavier by almost 6 kg.
- Overall Length – 1990 mm
- Overall Width – 725 mm
- Overall Height – 1135 mm
- Seat Height – 815 mm
- Ground Clearance – 170 mm
- Wheelbase – 1325 mm
- Kerb/Wet Weight – 142 kg
- Fuel Tank Capacity – 11 litres
- Front Brake – 282mm Single Disc
- Rear Brake – 220mm Single Disc
- Dual-Channel ABS (Standard)
- Front Suspension – Telescopic Forks
- Rear Suspension – Monoshock
- Front Tyre – 100/80-17M/C 52P (MRF)
- Rear Tyre – 140/70-17M/C 66S (MRF)
All these factors may contribute to mixed feelings on paper but when you ride the bike, all the doubts that you would have will rise up and vanish in smoke. As you experience the ride for yourself, you will find that the bike ensures confidence like none other. It turns quickly and does not feel like a big motorcycle at all. The ABS feature has come up for the first time in one last decade for the R15.
4) Suitable for both City Commute and Highway Road Trip
The shorter overall gearing and peak torques available at higher rpm makes the R15 V3 pull from idle in a crisp manner without any grumbling. The power delivery at higher revs is also smooth and linear. You can shift to the 5th gear and still be doing 30 kmph and the bike would not object to it.
Lower rpm levels have higher responsiveness. Despite the shorter gearing, the engine feels smooth at triple-digit speeds. Though the riding position is very aggressive and sporty, still the bike is suitable for short highway road trips.
5) Premium Features and Race-Spec Accessories
The R15 V3 features an aerodynamic LED taillight and headlight which has a sharper design. This assists the bike with better overall airflow and efficient lighting. A Hazard lamp is also available on the bike. The instrument console on the bike is a fully-digital unit. It also has a gear-shift timing light which ensures that the rider is reminded to shift gears for optimal performance.
The instrument gauge is a full-digital LCD panel styled with inspiration from the R1. For track purposes, official accessories such as a frame slider, skid plate, Metzeler rear tyre, and Daytona muffler are available while for normal everyday purposes, there is an option to include a USB charging dock as well.
With standard ABS and all these track friendly features, the Yamaha YZF-R15 V3 is the most happening sportbike that one can buy in India at INR 1.40 lakh (ex-showroom). The motorcycle is also available in Darknight Edition and Monster Energy Edition for INR 1.42 lakh and INR 1.43 lakh respectively.
