Yamaha R15M India Launch Soon!

The motorcycle spotted testing recently will likely be called the Yamaha R15M

[Update: Yamaha YZF-R15 Version 4.0, R15M Launched, Prices Start At Rs 1.68 Lakh]

• The Yamaha R15M in fact makes slightly less power than the current-generation R15 V3.0.
• On the flip side, it features a premium inverted fork and redesigned fairing and headlamp.
• Expect Yamaha to launch the motorcycle during Diwali.

Remember the Yamaha faired bike that was spotted testing recently? While we had theorised that it may be the next-gen R3, the reality is that it might just be the Yamaha R15M as revealed by homologation documents. Now that the legalities of the new motorcycle are underway, expect Yamaha to launch the bike in November, perhaps during Diwali.

According to the bike maker’s nomenclature, the variants with the ‘M’ moniker for faired bikes tend to be sportier, while the ‘S’ variants are more affordable. In a way, this logic stands true for the new R15M too, considering the test mule was spotted with a more premium inverted fork up front and a redesigned fairing complete with an R7-like projector LED headlamp setup. 

However, according to the document, it seems that both the standard R15 and the R15M make 13.5kW (18.35PS) at 10,000rpm, which is 0.27PS less than the current-generation Yamaha R15 V3.0 (at the same rpm). It is possible that Yamaha might have detuned the engine, and to balance it out, upgraded the underpinnings. That said, we hope the peak torque remains the same -- 14.1Nm at 8500rpm.  

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Interestingly, the overall dimensions, including the gross vehicle weight, are the same as the current-gen model. Expect the M variant to also have smartphone connectivity for more practicality. The R15 has long been the only liquid-cooled 150+cc faired bike in its segment, and the addition of a sportier-looking M variant should help the manufacturer garner even better sales. 

The R15M will likely command a premium of around Rs 6,000 over the standard R15, which currently retails at Rs 1,56,600 (ex-showroom Delhi). But even at this price point, the upcoming bike will still undercut the smaller-engined and less powerful KTM RC 125 by a massive margin; the faired Austrian hooligan is priced at an eye-watering Rs 1,80,538 (ex-showroom Delhi). We reckon Yamaha will clearly be at an advantage here. Let us know what you guys think in the comments below.