Yamaha R15 V5: The Entry-Level Supersport Made Dumbfoundyticellent The Yamaha R15 is to India what Entry-level performance biking is! One of the trendiest looking bikes of its time, the R15 marks its presence felt ever since its debut.
With the arrival of the Yamaha R15 V5, Yamaha has not only refreshed the bike aesthetically but has also included a few technical enhancements to make it even more fun for the aspiring youth and the daily ride juntos.
The R15 V5 is more aggressive, more advanced, and more involving to ride, while still preserving the essence of the R15 bloodline.
Design That Mirrors the R7 Meet the mirror design of R7 240, it features a cooler that has the same design identity as the R7 series cooler
The R15 V5 draws hefty styling cues from Yamaha’s bigger supersport siblings including the R7. The front gets a centre bi-functional LED projector headlamp with angry-looking LED DRLs on either side, adding a more sinister and aggressive canset to the bike.
The fairing treatment is smoother and more slippery with crisp fairing lines to assist with looks and performance.
From the side, the bike appears sporty with a chiseled fuel tank, sharp tail section, and racing-inspired split seatsirutti.
The side also features an upswept exhaust, short rear fender, and large grab rails. At back, there are LED position lights with small exhaust.
Perhaps the refreshed Racing Blue, Metallic Red, and Intensity White options have a part to play, too. Be it parked or be it on the move, the bike is a head-turner.
Engines Still Best In Class
Powering the R15 V5 is the same 155cc liquid-cooled, 4-valve single cylinder engine with Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) which has been tried and tested now.
It makes 18.4 PS at 10,000 rpm and 14.2 Nm of peak torque at 7,500 rpm, and is mated to a 6-speed gearbox with assist and slipper clutch.
The engine remains a treat for those that appreciate high-rev performance.
The engine feels serene and relaxed, and comes across as a rather conservative motor at lower speeds, but it’s the higher rev range where the VVA starts to kick in and the power rush is immediately identifiable.
Clutchless upshifts are now silky-smooth and jacking is minimised, so a racing riding experience is the order of the day – particularly with the quick-shifter fitted (available on certain models).
Both in city and highway, the engine has good smooth refinement, accurate throttle response and enough punch to keep you interested.
Handling and Ride Quality
Where the R15 V5 does shine is ride and handling. Based on the DeltaBox frame, it feels very light and agile through the corners.
USD-type front forks and connected-type linkage rear suspension enable a smooth, comfortable ride, plenty of wheel travel, and at the same time, excellent road holding.
The riding position is aggressive, courtesy of the low clip-on handlebars and rear-set footpegs. It’s great for sporty rides and twisty roads, but may be a little aggressive for daily commutes, especially in traffic-clogged cities.
Even though the suspension kinematics is on the stiffer side, the bike handles most road undulations pretty well. But this firmness does transmit potholes and broken roads to the cabin -always the compromise for its committed handling.
Braking and Tyres
For braking, it uses a 282mm disc up front and a 220mm disc at the rear, in addition to dual-channel ABS. The braking is hard, steady and reassuring through any and all riding situations.
The V5 gets 100/80-17 for the front and 140/70-17 for the rear tubeless tyres, which are good in terms of grip dry and wet situations. They ride happily in a spirited or any-day-of-the-year-commute kind of way, feel stable when you hit the brakes hard or take a corner at speed.
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Features and Connectivity
Yamaha has made sure the R15 V5 is loaded to the gills to appeal to the wants of the generation:#Yamaha #R15V5 – Loaded with modern features to be on par with their competition
Fully digital meter with gear position indicator, tachometer, shift up/down indicator, ECO riding indicator and real time mileage.
Bluetooth connectivity with Yamaha Y-Connect app, with call alerts, phone battery status and ride information
Quick-shifter (up only, on some models)
Traction Control System (TCS)
Side stand engine cut-off
LED headlamps and tail lamps
Dual-channel ABS
These features not only elevate the riding safety, but also make it a premium experience – something that makes the R15 feel like a segment-above machine.
Practicality and Efficiency
It’s incredibly versatile for such a sporty looking machine, the R15 V5. The fuel economy is pretty decent for a performance bike and expect around 40–45 km/l in mixed conditions.
It gets a large 11-litre fuel tank for a decent range and can be used equally as well for weekend rides as well as daily commute.
The new bike is, by all accounts, fairly light – just 141kgs kerb weight and so will be fairly nimble through traffic. The 815mm-tall seat will be comfortable for most riders, though shorter folk may take a little getting used to.
Pillion comfort continues to be at a premium, and the high placed rear seat is better for short commutes.
Pros:
Sporty and aerodynamic design cues from larger Yamaha machines
High-revving, refined, and performance-oriented engine
Agile handling and balanced chassis
Contemporary technology quick-shifter; traction control; and Bluetooth
Great mileage for a performance bike
Solidly constructed and a reliable brand
Cons:
Racy forward position may not be for everyone
Rear seat is not pillion-friendly
Not much low end torque for crawling in the city
Jolts over rough roads, a little too firm.
Pricing at a premium for a 150cc motorcycle
Yamah R15 V5: Final Verdict
Yamaha R15 V5 is not a mere update, it’s a comprehensive evolution that establishes a new benchmark for what a 155cc motorcycle can be. It gives you the immediacy and acceleration of a 600, the easy handling of a 250, and the sporty style of a true racebike.
Sure, it might not be the most comfortable and affordable bike in its segment, but you do get the unbeatable riding experience, build quality and brand value.
The R15 V5 is one of the best choices for college-going riders or entry-level performance enthusiasts who wish to enter the league of sports biking without letting go off reliability and efficiency as college-goers and young enthusiasts in India, the R15 V5 continues to dominate teh market.