Yamaha YZF-R15

Overview

The Yamaha YZF R15 has built a legacy that stands out even after so many years. Be it the fully faired R1 based styling or the uncompromised focus on performance, it is unmatched in this engine capacity. And somehow Yamaha has managed to continue this legacy through all of three generations. No wonder then that the baby R1 has been the gateway for many riders into the halls of performance motorcycling. The newest generation seems to be no different. It was only in June this year that the latest iteration was revealed to the eagerly waiting crowd. Being a constantly evolving bike, this newest version is rife with improvements along with new features like Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) and a slipper clutch. Available for Php 164,000, it competes against the equally striking Honda CBR 150R. Here is a brief look at what makes it so special.

Exterior

The Yamaha YZF R15 grabs eyeballs and turns heads like nothing else on the road. The design is very much inspired from the R1. This more often results in a oddly proportioned bike, like the first generation of the R15. Here now though, everything is bang on. The front end is reminiscent of the M1 Motogp bike with a central intake flanked by slim LED headlights. The windshield above them is large and aerodynamically shaped. The tank is muscular with the gills on it making it look especially menacing. The view from the sides is the usual angular affair for Yamaha’s fully faired bikes. There is however a very well-proportioned and low mounted muffler that does not break the lines of the bike. The seat and the aerodynamic tail section comes straight from the R1. The tail section is a work of art comparable to the one on the Panigale. But the rear seat is rendered nearly useless by the missing grab rails and by being very comically small itself. The taillight is a single piece item, with indicators on stalks mounted near the number plate.

There is a new fully digital display with a massive color LCD screen. All the information is presented in an easy to read layout. Its welcome screen can also be customized by the rider. Other than the usual displays it also has a shift indicator light for optimum gear shifts and a gear indicator. From one end to the other, it measures a compact 1990 mm with a wheelbase of 1325 mm. The width is 725 mm while the height is 1135 mm. The ground clearance is also decent at 170 mm. The bike rides on 17-inch Y-spoke wheels with wide 100/80 front and 140/70 rear tires respectively.

Ride & Handling

The R15 has always been a demanding bike and this is no different. The seat is high at 815 mm. The foot pegs are rear set, the handlebars are low and the seating position is crouched. It is not the most comfortable for everyday commuting, but that is not really the point of this bike. It is more focused on giving its riders the best handling possible. There is a new, more rigid, Deltabox frame and a newly designed lighter yet wider aluminium swing arm. The front end is suspended by wider 37 mm USD front forks while the rear gets a monoshock. With a kerb weight of 139 kg, it is very flickable. The suspension and the chassis are well set up for agility. Turn-ins as well as exiting from corners is very easy and the wide tyres give a huge boost to confidence. This is undoubtedly one of the best handling bikes in its segment. 

Engine & Fuel Consumption

The new bike is powered by a 155 cc liquid-cooled and fuel injected single cylinder with SOHC mated to a six speed transmission. It produces 14.2 kw of power at 10,000 rpm and 14.7 Nm of torque at 8500 rpm. This peak power is now produced at much higher revs. However with the presence of Variable Valve Actuation (VVA), this engine can now rev higher while also providing a widely spread power band. Other improvements include better air flow through bigger valves, airbox, injectors and throttle bodies. It also has a slipper clutch for smoother yet quicker downshifts, bypass thermostat for lower warm up times, a forged piston and Diasil cylinder for better cooling. The engine now performs better at high rpm without feeling too strung.

Braking & Safety

The front gets a bigger 282 mm disc brake while the rear gets a 220 mm disc. The brakes have adequate bite, but ABS is not present even as an option. This oversight is very glaring in a bike this well put together and expensive.

Verdict

The Yamaha YZF R15 is a very capable machine. It is a massive improvement on its predecessor. It has the performance and agility to prove its mettle on the track. It is slightly expensive, but for the most part it, can be very well justified. Any one remotely interested in a sporty entry level bike should definitely give this bike a chance.