While most manufacturers are installing the budget, single-channel ABS on their products to meet regulation, India Yamaha Motor is reportedly working on offering a premium unit. A report from motoring portal, MotorBeam claims that Yamaha will equip its entry-level performance motorcycle, the YZF-R15, with a dual-channel ABS.
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A dual-channel ABS will push the cost up higher than a single-channel unit will and thus manufacturers like Hero MotoCorp, Suzuki, KTM (for the 125 and 200 Duke) and Bajaj Auto have opted for the latter.
With a dual-channel ABS, expect the prices of the YZF-R15 V3.0 to witness an INR 12,000-INR 15,000 increase. The motorcycle, which is currently only offered in the non-ABS avatar, retails for INR 1,27,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).
As reported last month, Yamaha had sent out invites for a press conference on the 21st of January. The company has remained tight-lipped about details, but the event will most likely serve as the stage for the arrival of the ABS-equipped Yamaha motorcycles whether it is the R15 or the new FZ and Fazer range.
The Yamaha YZF-R15 V3.0 is the first motorcycle in its segment to feature a slipper clutch as standard. The engine is paired to a six-speed gearbox and develops 19 bhp of power and 14.8 Nm of peak torque. The YZF-R15 V3.0 is also the first motorcycle in its segment to feature a variable valve actuation (VVA) technology.
Specifications would remain identical to the standard version the YZF-R15 V3.0 ABS, with the bike continuing to use conventional 41 mm telescopic forks at the front and a linkage-type adjustable monoshock suspension at the rear. The Indonesian-spec model, for reference, comes with upside-down telescopic forks.
There is no direct rival the YZF-R15 V3.0, and the 155cc Japanese product sits between the 125 Duke ABS and 200 Duke ABS that retail for INR 1.19 lakh and INR 1.60 lakh respectively (both ex-showroom Delhi prices). Our interactions with KTM dealers revealed that the tag above for the 125 Duke is introductory and the motorcycle could receive a price increase in the coming months.
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Meanwhile products like the TVS Apache RTR200 4V ABS and Bajaj NS200 ABS retail at a more affordable price than the YZF-R15 V3.0.
[Source: MotorBeam.com]
