BREAKING: More Practical Yamaha R15S V3.0 Launched In India

The best bit is that this version costs the same as the regular variant!

• Like the previous-gen Yamaha R15S, the newly launched faired bike gets a single-piece seat.
• Comes only in the Racing Blue colour option.
• Is mechanically identical to the standard variant with split seats.

True to our exclusive report earlier, Yamaha has indeed launched a more practical variant of the R15 V3.0, called the Yamaha YZF-R15S V3.0. Like the name suggests, this variant comes with a single-piece seat, similar to its predecessor, the Yamaha R15S. It is available only in one colour (Racing Blue), and is priced at Rs 1,57,600 (ex-showroom, Delhi), which is the same as the Metallic Red colour model of the standard split-seat version. Compared to the Yamaha R15 V4, this R15S V3.0 is Rs 13,200 cheaper.

While Yamaha is yet to reveal the seat height of the R15S, it appears Yamaha has just swapped the split seat with a contoured single-piece unit without making alterations to the tail section. Judging by the images, the pillion seat cushion looks pretty thin. Having said that, the standard split seat variant is claimed to have a 20mm lower pillion seat than the one in the R15 V2, so we reckon the R15S’ pillion seat height could be that much lower.

On the other hand, the previous-generation R15S had a flatter tail section, similar to the first-gen R15. This made the pillion seat height much lower than the standard version (R15 V2.0) with split seats.

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Apart from the different seating, the rest of the motorcycle remains the same as the split-seat variant. It continues to be powered by the 18.6PS/14.1Nm 155cc VVA-equipped single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine with 6-speed gearbox enhanced by a slip-and-assist clutch. The underpinnings are the same as the standard model too. 

The R15 is a sporty motorcycle with aggressive ergonomics, so the introduction of a variant with a single-piece seat should help those looking for a sporty yet slightly more comfortable faired motorcycle. And if you’re looking for even better comfort but also want the performance of the R15, then the Yamaha MT-15 would be the way to go for you!