Yamaha launches the first upgrade of its R15 model.. calls it Version 2.0
It's a cosmetic upgrade ok.. but it's "awesome"..!!
It was in Dec 2010 when the first "spy photos" of the upgrade of the Yamaha R15 had appeared on the net.
Since then it has been a rather long 10 months for Yamaha India to finally officially launch the upgrade of the Yamaha R15 which they are calling as Version 2.0
Throughout these 10 months it was amusing for me to see almost every desi auto-blog out there get hyper excited and post wild speculations like, "The power will be increased to 21-22 Ps (from the current 17Ps)..!!", or even "Price is expected to be reduced by Rs. 10,000..!!" to some smart ones claiming that it was the "European R125 & not a R15 upgrade"..!!
Why did the original R15 not get this design in 2008..??
Putting all wild speculations to rest, Yamaha India has officially launched the upgraded Yamaha R15 on Sep 6, 2011. As expected by me it is a cosmetic facelift (or is it "rear" lift?), the power output remains the same as the older model.
Usually I do not think much about cosmetic upgrades but this one is "sweet & awesome"..!!
Yamaha R15 Version 2.0 in a nutshell
- Price: Rs. 1.07 lakhs (ex-showroom), an increase of around Rs. 8K-10K over the older model
- Kerb Weight: 136 Kgs (5 Kg increase over older model)
- Max. Power & Max Torque: 17 Ps Power and 15 Nm Torque (similar to the older model)
- Major changes in styling at the Rear of the bike
- Slight changes to the side panels and fairing
- A couple of other changes
Changes to the Rear of the bike
The most significant change is in the rear of the bike. The older bike was criticized by many including myself for its malnourished looking rear. Skinny rear tyre, commuterish rear seat.. et al. The rear of the version 2.0 is now probably the best looking among current Indian bikes. The changes at the rear include..
- Wider Rear Tyre: 130 mm wide now (compared to the 100 mm on the older model) also the rear tyre is now a Radial tyre
- A longer Swingarm made out of aluminum (compared to the simple rectangular swingarm on the older model)
- A longer Wheelbase (1345 mm compared to the 1290 mm of the older model)
- Split Seats which has a raised pillion seat
- LED tail lights (inspired from the R6)
- There are no grab rails on the bike now..!!
- A rear tyre hugger cum the mandatory saree guard
Other changes include
- Slightly redesigned fairing
- Redesigned side panels (with faux carbon fibre finish)
- New design alloy wheels
- New exhaust pipe with new heat shield (with R15 branding and faux carbon fibre finish)
- Seat height increase from 790 mm to 800 mm
- A larger 220 mm rear disc brake
Internal changes
- New Engine Control unit (ECU)
- New drive train (different sized front & rear sprockets) unit
- Double horns (the older model had a single meek sounding horn)
Photo Credit; xBhp.Com
Why did the original R15 not get this design in 2008..??
According to Yamaha India the aerodynamics on the new bike has improved by 4% (although I am not sure we would be able to measure it). The riding stance has become sportier compared to the earlier model (which was already sporty by Indian standards).
Even with the unchanged 17 Ps, the R15 Version 2.0 with its near "perfect looks" is a gem
Styling now stays true and honest to the "Super Sports" genre. Some might crib that the rear seat is now too raised and impractical/uncomfortable for pillion (grab rails has been done away with as well). But that's exactly how a bike with "Super Sports" intention should be.
I never bought the argument of Yamaha India in 2008 when it had stated that the rear portion of the R15 was made intentionally kept skinny (with a 100 mm rear tyre) so that it gave the best handling characteristics and the best performance. Had that been the case, then why bother giving the European R125 with a 130 mm wide tyre?
I am sure that even with the wider rear tyre, Yamaha would have taken care not to have compromised with the sharp handling of the new R15, something which had made the original R15 an enthusiasts delight.
Sharp handling = Good
Sharp Handling + Sexy Styling = Bloody Good..!!
Why did the original R15 get this design in 2008..?? Maybe because the CBR250R started happening in 2010 in India (finally launched in 2011).
Why not 19/21 Ps?
Expecting 19/21 Ps from a 150 cc engine, even if its a liquid cooled, 4 valve engine is a bit too optimistic. Those who might be disappointed with the lack of performance upgrade on the new R15, I am sure that even with the unchanged 17 Ps, the R15 Version 2.0 with it's near perfect looks would still a gem.
My take on the Yamaha R15 Version 2.0
The Yamaha R15 Version 2.0 might not be able to convince the Honda CBR250R customers change their decision but it might at least prevent the R15 intenders who might have started to think favorably towards the Honda CBR250R.
Yamaha R15 Version 2.0 Colors:
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Yamaha YZF-R15 version 2.0 Specifcations
Engine type: Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valve
Cylinder layout: Single cylinder
Displacement: 149.8cc
Bore × stroke: 57 × 58.7mm
Compression ratio: 10.4:1
Maximum output: 17 PS/ 8,500rpm
Maximum torque: 15 N.m / 7,500rpm
Starting method: Electric Start
Lubrication type: Wet Sump
Fuel tank volume: 12 liters
Fuel supply: Fuel Injection
Ignition type: T.C.I.
Battery: 12V, 3.5Ah (10H)
Head light: Lo beam12V/35W X1, Hi beam12V/35W X2
Primary / secondary reduction ratio: 3.042 / 3.133
Clutch type: Wet Multiple-disc
Transmission type: Return type 6-speed
Gear ratios: 1st=2.833, 2nd＝1.875, 3rd=1.364, 4th=1.143, 5th=0.957, 6th=0.84
Frame type: Delta box
Caster / trail: 26° / 98mm
Tyre size (Front/ Rear): 90/80-17 / 130/70-R17
Brake type (Front/ Rear): Hydraulic, Single disc (Front / Rear)
Suspension (Front/ Rear): Telescopic / Linked type Monocross
Overall Length × Width × Height: 1,970mm x 670mm × 1,070mm
Seat height: 800mm
Wheelbase: 1,345mm
Minimum ground clearance: 160mm
Kerb Weight: 136Kg
Related Posts
- CBR250R launched in India [Price/Specs] [Mar 2011]
- Spy shot (seventh time) of the new Yamaha R15
- Spy shot (sixth time) of the new Yamaha R15
- Spy Shot (fifth time) of the new Yamaha R15
- Spy Shot (fourth time) of the New Yamaha R15
- Spy Shot (third time) of the new Yamaha R15
- Spy Shot (second time) of the new Yamaha R15
- Spy Shot (first time) of the new Yamaha R15
Disclaimer:
This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.
30 Comments:
Max. Power & Max Torque: 17 Ps (similar to the older model) and 15 Nm (compared to 14.4 Nm earlier)-pls correct it bro...i think it was 15 Nm already on the old model atleast that what i remember (pls correct me if iam wrong).and if i was to share my view on the r15 v2 ,i should say yamaha has done a simple and damn gud job....though i wud have luv to see it without that rear mudguard...since its a super sports model like the R1/R6 n with r6 reminiscent front...bt den again it wud b asking 2 much...:)
disappointed with spec sheet...any news abt cbr150r launch in india??and wat abt new generation pulsars?? are they going to be engine upgrades or simply comestic lik this one..
Competition is good! Otherwise Yamaha might not have bothered to do a facelift.
This bike still dos'nt have a main stand.
i will surely buy this bike.....!
The torque of r15 was never 14.4 Nm as u said above. Please correct it.id above. Please correct it.
Info on Max Torque correted.. thanks guys
hi patel
where ware you!. Why took so long to return. i'm happy to see you back on track. i mean blogging. i'm such a fan of your thoughts and writings. i already chatted with you in ourkut scraps in 2007. maybe you forgot that. anyway, i'm happy to read your writings and you site is active now. now a days there are no such a good content available as you did in the earlier. so much tired of reading seo/keyword oriented articles and duplicate contents. i even have an idea to start a bike website but now i'm have to reconsider that because you are back and this site is up.
Best Wishes.
Prabhu - the one who always love to ride then drive.........
Thanks
Hi Prabhu,
I did take a year long break from blogging in 2009. But I have been blogging now regularly since 2010 (though the frequency of posting are become a bit slow since then). It's great to hear from you after a long time.
By the way my name is "Satadal Payeng" and not "Patel" :-)
Hey Payeng, I total agree with u abt "NOW its a complete bike" from Front to Rear...i never liked R15 since it was launched due Front being good n big...but no height to bike and rear was horrible with small tyre...Wish Yamaha team just increased power by 2 bhp more along with sexy change to Rear of Bike...may be asking too much out of 150cc bike...But definitely this Bike beats all bikes like Pulsars / CBR250 with style wise..best looking bike till now...i believe speed wise 2nd best to CBR250... (bikes under Rs. 1.5 lac)...i will taking test ride of R15 bike this week...Hope to buy it...lets see...before that two qs for u bro?
1. Has bike Height been increased compared to old R15 (which was like small bike as i am around 5.11 ft height)???
2. R15 - Rs. 1.20 lac (on road blre, i believe...may be more)
N CBR250 - Rs. 1.60 lac (on road blre, i believe without ABS...may be more)...i have been thinking abt when you compare both Head on btw R15 n CBR250...which bike is worth a lac rs.?? i know one is 150 n other 250...but i always like bikes with 200 or more...as it packs a punch...pls comment u r opinion???
- SK
>> "Dead" or "Agile" <<
Hi Sharath,
I will be posting in detail about the ride experience / review of the CBR250R in my nest post.. it should probably answer a couple of your doubts
you must be happy.. you once rated best bike designs and disqualified R15 because it wasn't proportionate .. now i think new r15 can top any list of design... it looks awesome .. and justified for the price tag.. anyways there were no questions about its performance
Oh yes Sanketh,
the new R15 V2.0 now ranks in my list as one of the best styled motorcycles made and sold in India.
i m fond of dis bike ,i want 2 buy it bt prob iz i m thin ,will it look gud ,whether it will suits me???????
i know hw 2 ride it bt i stuck here should i take it or nt
plz help?////////
It's not sexy yet.
First version, they screwed up using unicorn kinda design in the rear side and thin tyres.
This time the rear and tyres have improved, but one thing no one seems to notice is the front.
The bike looks dumb when you look straight in its face. Looks like an owl sometimes.
If anyone has used or looked an R6/R1 closer you'd know what I'm talking about. (or even a CBR).
A sport bike gotta have that I'm gonna kill you looks .. not "Uh.. I dont know who I am" looks.
Even the front of fazer 150 is much better than on R15.
They could have atleast copied off R125 front and tried.
Let's wait for version 3.0 now.
but still disaponted about the 150cc
hey guys ,,will dis byk suit me as i m 6'0"..??
one word for this design AWESOME i lvd the new design
hey dis 1 looks cool with a slight changes on side panel. But Same engine!!! and also addition of more 5 kilos and also a fat radial... hmmm This definitely have n effect on d performance than d previous1
this bike is good
super ..........................................ilike it somuch
Hey can anyone pls tell me if i can use this byk for long rides & touring, my average touring distance would be around 450-500kms..
yaa guys this bike have taken my breath away..... she is awe some waiting to get my bike in hand hope.... i get my bike within in three months she got power looks and good hight she got every thing what v get in sport bikes.... its just a matter of small engine.... but better then honda CBR250 she is worst bike i ever ride.... honda have paid 10cr to autocar show to make his bike a bike of the year.... well their is no difference in pulsar 220 and honda cbr250 same engine same power just a difference of braking system which they r charging 35000 for that shit.... if some one looking to buy honda cbr250r so guys wait for pulsar 250 or eles cant wait spo but pulsar 220 their is no difference between this to bike.....
OOh Go Head and Get Married with your She (Bike).
It's superbly Designed.
seat height a big issue for me....i am 6'4" ...and it feels like a toy to me...so for me zmr or pulsar 180/220 .....
Is there any chance of the launch of R125 in india.
I am asking this because my father refused to let me to buy the R15 as he got to know from somewhere abt its top speed of 140Km/hr.
And he was just horrified and said straight no for R15.
By the way what is the top speed of R125.
wheel base should have been slightly broader...but still im gonna buy this bike..!!!
-bharath
i want the videos for the moto gp edition...:)
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