The Yamaha R15 v3 has been spotted testing in Indonesia a few times since December. As confirmed by the Yamaha India R&D head, the performance 150 cc by Yamaha will gain significant technology and safety upgrades. This will include increased performance and more premium parts.
The track-centric motorcycle has been the choice of ride for entry level performance seekers ever since it was first launched in 2008. The present version of the R15 was later introduced in September 2011 with a new ECU, wider tyres and a sportier design. Yamaha R15 v3 will take things a notch higher.
The Yamaha R15 v3 launch is expected in mid-2017. Yamaha has been tight-lipped on an exact timeline, but the frequency of the spy pics from Indonesia suggests that Yamaha is dead serious about giving the Yamaha R15 v3 a world premiere by April.
The Yamaha R15 v3 will be available in the traditional Yamaha Racing Blue scheme which is seen in the present R15 as well as its bigger models. Other colours will include Track White, Adrenaline Red, Spark Green and Black.
The Yamaha R15 v3 will be powered by a new 155 cc single-cylinder, liquid cooled, fuel injected mill which will be based on the unit seen in the Yamaha Aerox 155 and Yamaha NMax 155. Yamaha will stick to a Single Over Head Cam (SOHC) layout for the new R15 this will help in keeping the engine compact.
The engine in the new Yamaha YZF R15 v3 will also get Variable Valve Actuation technology (VVA). This will assist in adding flexibility to the valve train. The mechanism shifts between intake cam lobes for low engine revs and high engine revs. VVA will help in returning a sharper throttle response and develop an on-demand torque which will be controlled by the rider’s wrist working on the throttle.
| Specification | Yamaha R15 v3 |
| Engine | 155 cc single cylinder, SOHC, liquid cooled |
| Max Power | 17-19 PS |
| Peak Torque | 15-16 Nm |
| Top Speed | 140-145 km/h |
Expect the maximum power output to range between 17 to 19 PS and peak torque to range around 15 to 16 Nm. Stopping power will be offered by disc brakes all around. So far, not even a single test unit has been spotted with an ABS ring.
The Yamaha R15 v3 top speed is expected to hover around 145 km/h. The gearing could be short and sporty with a slightly taller 6th cog to help pull out a better top speed.
Thanks to hardware updates to the engine and gearbox, the Yamaha R15 v3 (codenamed Yamaha BG7) will be more fuel efficient than the present model. Moreover, India Yamaha Motor's R&D outfit in Chennai is expected to adapt the model to local requirements with a different ECU calibration. The Yamaha R15 v3 mileage will hover around the 55 km/l mark on highways and 45 km/l in cities.
The new Yamaha R15 version 3 will be fully loaded with LED taillamps which have been shaped liked the one seen in the Yamaha R6. The front gets LED headlamps which will produce better illumination during the night. Auto Headlamp On (AHO), which has been added recently into the present R15, will be a standard feature.
The suspension setup will be revamped in the new Yamaha YZF R15 v3. It includes upside down forks up front and a mono shock in the rear with adjustable presets. The bike also continues to get split seats.
Moving away from the mix of analogue and digital instrumentation, Yamaha plans to offer the new R15 v3 with an all-digital unit. Possibly an LCD screen as seen in the Yamaha Xabre (or the Yamaha MSlaz). This will also help in better visibility of stats for the rider.
With the competition emerging with bigger and more powerful engine options, the Yamaha R15 v3 price has to be competitive. The introduction of newer and more premium parts like VVA, LED headlight and all-digital instrumentation will certainly result in a jump in prices. Expect the R15 v3 on road price to reach 1.40 lakhs.
The R15 v3 will be far more premium than the outgoing version and will aim an audience which wants an entry level performance oriented bike. Features like a track-centric deltabox frame and the download of technical know-how gained from their bigger sports bikes, gives the Yamaha YZF-R15 3.0 a fighting chance in the Indian market.
