India Yamaha Motor has sent out "Block your date" invites for a launch that is scheduled on March 15. While the two-wheeler brand has remained tight-lipped about the product name, the company has used the text "The Dark Side of Japan" – a tag that is used with the MT range of motorcycles. Thus, we would see the arrival of the MT-15 on the date.
Also read: Check out this Yamaha YZF-R15 V3.0 to YZF-R1 conversion kit [Video]
Select Yamaha dealerships have already commenced the unofficial bookings for the motorcycle for a minimum token amount of INR 5,000. The Yamaha MT-15 is the naked roadster version of the Yamaha's much successful YZF-R15 V3.0. While the prices would be announced at the launch, IAB’s interaction with dealerships revealed that the upcoming motorcycle could arrive near the INR 1.60 (on-road) mark.
The Yamaha MT-15 was spotted in the country on several occasions, revealing finer details about the Indian-spec model. Similar to the YZF-R15 V3.0, the India-spec MT-15 will receive a few tweaks to keep the prices competitive. Thus, buyers would get conventional telescopic front forks instead of upside down units and a different style for the 17-inch alloy wheels. Shock absorption tasks at the rear would be performed by a monoshock at the back.
The India-spec model will continue to use the new bug-eyed LED headlamp, full-digital instrument console, muscular fuel tank with extended tank scoops and a lowered tail section. The motorcycle, similar to the YZF-R15 V3.0, would be built around the famed Deltabox frame.
Mechanical parts would be borrowed from the YZF-R15 V3.0, and the MT-15 would feature a 155 cc 4-valve, SOHC, liquid-cooled motor with VVA (variable valve actuation) that produces 19.1 PS of power and 14.8 Nm of peak torque. The engine is coupled with a slipper-clutch assisted 6-speed gearbox. Anchoring tasks would be performed by disc brakes while the safety net of dual-channel ABS would come as standard.
Also read: Yellow Yamaha YZF-R15 V3.0 delivered in Bangalore
Apart from the MT-15, Yamaha could also display the 2019 MT-09 at the launch. The 2019 Yamaha MT-09 was launched in India at an ex-showroom Delhi price tag of INR 10,55,354 making it approximately INR 16,000 more expensive than its predecessor.
