Buy Or Hold: Yamaha R15M vs 2021 KTM RC 200

Confused between buying Yamaha’s latest faired track tamer right now or waiting for KTM’s next-gen RC 200? We help you make an informed decision

KTM has been making waves recently with its next-generation RC range. However, for the Indian market, Yamaha has already done it one better by launching the new Yamaha R15M and the R15 V4. If you’re confused between buying the top-of-the-line Yamaha R15M or waiting for the 2021 KTM RC 200 to be launched in India (which is likely to happen in the coming weeks), you’ve come to the right place.

Buy the Yamaha R15M:

Currently, the Yamaha R15M is by far the sportiest and most feature-packed 155cc faired bike in the country, armed with a traction control system, quickshifter (only for up-shifting though), and a premium inverted front fork. Compared to the Yamaha R15 V3.0, this one also gets a redesigned bodywork with a cyclops-like LED headlamp flanked by sleek LED DRLs. Further accentuating its looks is an exclusive silver and black dual-tone colour scheme with blue alloy wheels. While this colour variant costs Rs 1,77,800 (ex-showroom Delhi), adding Rs 2,000 more will get you the even sportier-looking MotoGP Edition, complete with Monster Energy-themed livery.

For added practicality, the R15M also features a fully digital instrument cluster with smartphone compatibility thanks to the Y-Connect app. It gets two display modes: Street and Track. Users can also access features such as lap timer, gear position indicator, call/message alerts, mobile battery and connection status, average mileage, and last parked location. Geeks will be glad to know that they can even check the instantaneous fuel economy, intake air temperature, Eco indicator, degree of throttle opening and rate of acceleration. 

At 18.4PS, while the power is marginally down from the R15 V3 by 0.2PS, the torque is up from 14.1Nm to 14.2Nm in the R15M. Additionally, the inclusion of a traction control system, quick shifter, and the inverted front fork should balance things out as far as the dynamics are concerned. Moreover, the light 142kg kerb weight should also make the bike even easier to flick around corners. 

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With these features, Yamaha has made the R15M a much more wholesome motorcycle than the previous-gen model to learn the basics of track riding. If you’re a track enthusiast who wants a pocket-friendly corner carver with loads of features to boot, the R15M is the one for you.

Wait For The 2021 KTM RC 200:

KTM has ensured the 2021 iteration is lighter, more powerful and more feature-packed than before. For starters, the company has revised the design language to be more in tune with its bigger sibling, the 2022 KTM RC 390. KTM’s RC range has always been known for their aggressive ergonomics. And now, the Austrian bikemaker has equipped the motorcycle with adjustable clip-on handlebars that are 15mm taller. However, track enthusiasts will be glad to know the sporty riding stance isn’t compromised as the handlebars can also be lowered by 10mm. For better range, it also gets a 4.2-litre bigger fuel tank (13.7 litres in total). The motorcycle even gets a new LCD instrument cluster but there’s no smartphone connectivity.

More importantly, KTM has enhanced the heart with a new remap, bigger air box, and tweaked the throttle response for good measure. The engine now makes 25.8PS and 19.5Nm, 0.8PS and 0.3Nm more than its predecessor. Moreover, the company has also equipped the motorcycle with lighter wheels and discs, new sub-frame, all leading to a 3kg weight reduction at 151kg kerb.

Overall, while the new-gen KTM RC 200 may not have the fancy features of the R15M, thanks to its bigger engine, it shines where it counts: pure performance. But then, its asking price will also be much higher than the R15M’s. The 2021 KTM RC 200 is likely to be priced at around Rs 2.15 lakh (ex-showroom), which is around Rs 37,000 more than the R15M. If you’re a KTM enthusiast who wants a reasonably powerful faired bike that can handle the everyday commutes as well as the track with equal ease, then the RC 200 makes perfect sense. Moreover, you won’t have to wait too long either, as the bike is set to be launched real soon.