After launching a range of new bikes in January this year, Yamaha India is all set to launch yet another bike in India. This time it is a naked streefighter, which first debuted in the international market a couple of years ago. Ever since its debut, fans in India have been waiting for the arrival of this bike in India. Finally the date is set for India launch of MT15.
Yes. Yamaha India will finally launch MT15 in India on 15th March 2019. It has already been teased on their Youtube channel, with the Dark Side of Japan theme. And now, authorized Yamaha dealers are sharing photos and video of test ride / display bikes which have started arriving at showrooms across India.
Yamaha MT15 for India is different than the one sold in the international market. This could be a deal breaker for some fans / probable buyers. To detail the differences, it does not get golden USD forks in the front. Instead, it gets standard telescopic forks. Other difference noted is black alloys with MRF tyres, and a less muscular fuel tank. Thai-spec MT15 gets more muscular fuel tank and multi colour alloys. Rear swing-arm is made of steel, instead of aluminium as seen on MT15 on sale outside India.
Other than this, more or less the bike is same. The changes have been incorporated in the India-spec MT15 to keep costs in check, which will allow Yamaha to price it aggressively. Below is the first walkaround video of MT15 for India.
Yamaha MT15 headlamp sports a three part layout which includes a centrally mounted unit, LED position lights and a single projector beam headlamp. The new MT15 will sport dual channel ABS as standard. Instrument cluster will be same as R15 V3. The MT15 sits on MRF Nylogrip tyres. It gets a minimalistic tail lamp along with conventional turn indicators.
Engine specifications on the new Yamaha MT15 will include the same engine as seen on the R15 V3.0. This is a 155cc, liquid cooled, fuel injected engine with VVA (Variable Valve Actuation), offering 19.3 hp power at 10,000 rpm and 14.7 Nm torque at 8,500 rpm mated to a 6 speed gearbox. The MT15 with its 10 liter fuel tank capacity is slated to offer mileage of about 45 kmpl. It is expected to claim a top speed of 131 kmph.
Yamaha India dealerships have commenced bookings for the new MT15. A few examples have already started arriving at dealerships for test rides and promotional events. The Yamaha MT15 is slated to be priced at around Rs 1.2 lakhs and will compete with the likes of the KTM 125 Duke, Bajaj NS200.
