The Yamaha XSR family of retro classic (Sports Heritage as the Japanese two wheeler maker likes to call) motorcycles are popular for their perfect blend of nostalgic design and modern technologies. Yamaha has added yet another member to the ever expanding family with the launch of XSR155.
The Yamaha XSR 155 has just gone on sale in Thailand for 91,500 bahts (around INR 2.1 lakhs) and is expected to be marketed in other international markets where Yamaha has a sizable presence in the low capacity segment. India automatically becomes one of the top prospects for the compact retro classic machine but it is unclear as of now if Yamaha thinks that way too.
There are no prizes for guessing that the XSR 155 is based on the Yamaha YZF-R15 V3 platform which also spawns the snazzy MT-15 street fighter. So, it would be fairly simple to manufacture the retro classic roadster locally if Yamaha India decides to bring it to our shores.
Based on the Thai-spec MT15, the XSR 155 borrows its chassis, inverted telescopic front fork, rear monoshock, engine, and several other components from the naked bike. Design highlights include a simple circular LED headlamp, a slender dual-tone fuel tank with thigh indents, a cantilever tail with brown saddle, circular LED taillight, blacked out running gear, and a stubby silencer.
With a set of accessories, the XSR155 could be transformed into a true blue scrambler. The XSR 155’s wheelbase is shorter than that of the MT-15 by 5 mm at 1,330 mm and the ground clearance is jacked up by 15 mm to 170 mm. The motorcycle has a light kerb weight of 134 kg.
The 155 cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine an impressive 19 bhp and 14.7 Nm of torque when mated to a 6-speed gearbox. In terms of equipment, the retro classic Yamaha XSR155 comes with dual-channel ABS, alloy wheels, digital instrument cluster, LED headlamps, slipper clutch, and so on.
If at all it is launched in India, we expect the motorcycle to be priced around INR 1.5 lakhs (ex-showroom). Yamaha itself has higher capacity motorcycles on sale at that price point but the XSR155 would be positioned a brand shaper rather than a mass market product.
