2021 Yamaha R15 Version 4.0 vs KTM RC 200: Photo Comparison

Both motorcycles have undergone a major overhaul for 2021. Which one did it better?

Yamaha has surprised everyone by launching the heavily updated R15 version 4.0 in India at a starting price of Rs 1.67 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). But with KTM also set to launch the overhauled 2022 RC 200 here soon, we thought it’d be interesting to pit them against each other to find out who excels where. Here’s an image comparo telling you exactly that:

Both the R15 V4 and the 2022 RC 200 bear all-new designs. 

Up front, the R15 now gets sleek LED DRLs with a bi-functional LED projector lamp while the RC 200 bids adieu to its previous twin-projector setup, switching to an LED headlamp and boomerang- LED DRL-cum-turn indicators. 

From the side, the R15 V4 looks more proportionate and edgier than the 2021 RC 200. The latter, however, has sportier two-part fairings which help deflect air. We also like the RC 200’s exposed trellis frame, which lends it a more premium side profile.

At the rear, the R15 bears the same old design while the RC 200 gets a slimmer tail section thanks to the new sub-frame. We think the RC 200 looks more premium from this angle.

Overall, we feel the R15 rounds up as the more appealing package. Not to mention, it comes in a MotoGP inspired Monster Energy livery too, which looks smashing!

Now, onto the features. Both bikes get LED illumination, LCD instrumentation, slipper clutch and dual-channel ABS as standard.

The R15’s new LCD is shod with features like street and track ride modes, a lap timer, and smartphone connectivity using Yamaha's Y-Connect app. All of these are missing on the KTM, even though its display is larger and looks more premium. On the flipside, the R15 misses out LED indicators, which come standard on the RC.

In addition to the standard kit, the R15 Racing Blue colour and R15 M variant come with traction control and ABS, giving the R15 even more of an upper hand over the KTM. 

But the tables turn when we move on to the engine. You see, the new RC 200’s 199cc motor now puts out 25.8PS and 19.5Nm (0.8PS and 0.3Nm more than before) while the R15’s 155cc VVA-equipped motor manages 18.4PS, which is actually 0.2PS less than before. 

To counter this, the R15 weighs just 142kg (wet), which is a massive 9kg less than the RC 200’s dry weight of 151kg. Both bikes employ a six-speed gearbox.

Another key change for the new R15 is its new 37mm USD fork, a welcome step-up for the supersports bike. However, this still falls short of the RC 200’s bigger, more premium 43mm WP Apex unit.

Same is the case with their brakes. The RC 200 has a bigger 320mm disc up front while the R15 employs a 282mm disc. 

The new R15 has a smaller 11-litre fuel tank compared to the 2021 RC’s 13.7-litre unit. That being said, the real-life range should be more or less the same for both bikes.

With a seat height of 815mm, the R15 is more accessible than the RC 200 with its 824mm high seat.

All this aside, the biggest plus for the R15 Version 4.0 is its pricing. With a starting price of Rs 1.67 lakh (ex-showroom), it already costs Rs 40,000 less than the outgoing RC 200. This makes the new R15 a no-brainer if you’re looking for a sporty sub-250cc learner’s bike.