The Racing Blue Yamaha R15S is a motorcycle which is a blend of style, performance and utility and is liked by Indian young riders and sports bike lovers. Available at Rs 1,68,355 (ex-showroom), the bike is a good mix of aggressive styling along with a punchy engine and features aimed at both daily commuters and enthusiasts who like to go on open roads. Well, the R15S with its signature Racing Blue paint scheme inspired by Yamaha’s racing genes turns out to be a heartthrob in the 150-160cc segment. In this piece, check out all the reasons that make the Yamaha R15S one of the best out there, in terms of design, performance, specifications etc - and why it manages to capture that special something in everyone's hearts.
A Design That Shouts Sporty Elegance
The Yamaha R15S looks amazing with visual cues from the legendary Yamaha supersport bikes like the YZF-R1. The sharply styled cowling brings a bold and aggressive look, giving an edgy R-series inspired design to the YZF-R3 The MotoGP inspired Racing Blue livery drives home the race-oriented character of the YZF-R3. The front end of the bike is styled with slim LED headlamps, which not only look stylish but offer decent amount of throw while you are riding the bike at night, although some riders feel that the headlamp could have been brighter for better visibility at night. There’s also an aerodynamic cowl with an air vent upfront that along with elegant rear view mirrors and large windscreen, enhance its sporty look.
The fuel tank is macho, but still has knee recesses that allow riders to get low behind it while accelerating at full throttle. A pair of black side panels and the stylish LED taillight contribute to the bike’s sharp, edgy look, and the tapered rear cowl, along with the forged carbon fiber-look in the exhaust cover, enhance its premium appeal. The one-piece unibody seat, a stark contrast to the R15 V4’s split seat, not only offers comfort to the rider but also to the pillion, which is ideal for those who are used to riding with a pillion. "The R15S not only intervention of Racing Blue colour but it even receives subtle graphics that makes it fast even when it's standing still; appealing to all young riders who want their machine to reflect their love for this sport."
Power-Packed Performance
The R15S is powered by the 155cc liquid-cooled SOHC four- Valve unit with Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) along with FI technology. This engine churns 18.1 bhp @ 10,000 rpm and torque of 14.2 Nm @ 7,500 revs, which ensures exciting ride. The VVA maintains a balance of lower-end torque for city ride and high-end power for highways, hence the R15S becomes an all-round package for all types of riders. The six-speed transmission is slick and accurate, and with an assist/slipper clutch the worst snapers on the changes won’t make the back wheel hop too much, enhancing the sporty nature of the bike.
So there you have it, top speed on the R15S rises to about 140-144 kmph according to conditions but essentially, it’s the fastest in this part of the market. It’s quick off the line, and the motor’s linear power makes it feels spritely, especially between mid to high range RPMs. The bike is said to come to life beyond 7,000 rpm when the VVA activates and the power delivery is in excess of what one would expect and downright exhilarating on the open road. So be it navigating through city traffic, commuting on the highway or taking the gear to twisty roads, the R15S responds with vigour, hence the choice of beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Mileage is also a strong point with the bike returning around 40-47 kmpl, as per user reports. This makes it an affordable choice for the commuter who doesn’t want to sacrifice performance. With an 11-liter fuel tank, it has a pretty good range I knew it would be good for weekend rides or commutes. Its BS6 engine makes it cleaner as well and thus keeps up with the times, even in terms of turning up the fun factor.
Durable and Maneuverable
The Yamaha R15S is based around a Deltabox frame, that is known for its lightweight and rigid nature and helps in the bike’s sharp handling. Tip the scales at 142 kg, and the R15S feels extremely light and responsive, easy to single handed steer around tight city streets, or lean into through the corners on the twisties. The suspension gets telescopic front forks and a rear mono-shock, offering a combination of sporty firmness and everyday comfort. This configuration also allows for high speed stability and confidence inducing handling when you're in the corners.
The R15S comes with 17-inch alloys shod with tubeless rubber, with the front wearing 100/80 and the rear 140/70 tires, the latter a radial for better traction. And some models even come with optional Metzeler grippy tyers, that provide increased grip for sporty riders. This is aaided by a 282mm front disc and 220mm rear disc with dual-channel ABS to ensure a secure and safe stop even at high speeds. As the bike is fitted with the ABS system tyre lockups on the R15S will never interrupt the high-speed performance for sudden breaks in Indian roads.
The motorcycle’s sporty riding position, which places clip-on handlebars low and a rider’s feet just behind the gas tank, is intended for performance riding but is relatively comfortable for daily riding, as well. On the downside, the aggressive stance and hard seat feel fatiguing on long rides but it’s fine for short and medium trips, not so much for long tours.
Jam Packed for the New School Riders
The Yamaha R15S is fitted with a multi-function LCD instrument console which provides readouts for speed, tachometer, gear position, fuel gauge, trip meters and average fuel economy. A nice touch is the customized greeting that appears on the console, which can present the rider’s name or something more playful, such as “Hi buddy,” when the system is starting up. The cluster unit also comes with display for gear-shift indicator and VVA indicator to assist riders for best performance.
Other high-end features are a side stand engine cut-off switch for safety and a slipper clutch for very smooth downshifts. It lacks features such as traction control and a quick-shifter that the R15 V4 gets, but for doing without them the price is also a lot easier on the pocket, which makes the bike more attainable. This model boasts a dual-channel ABS as well as assist-and-slipper clutch – both impressive features at these price points, which promise a premium riding experience without rinsing your bank account.
Why the R15S Stands Out
The Yamaha R15S is a more budget-friendly and commuter-friendly iteration of the R15 V4 (which retails from Rs 1,68,355) but undercuts its sibling by around Rs 16,800 Its single piece seat layout also makes it more pillion-friendly, thus catering to riders who want a bike for solo and pillion duties. The sporty DNA, drawing inspiration from Yamaha’s racing machines while maintaining practical aspects makes it a versatile option in the 150-160cc class.
It more than matches up with the likes of rivals such as the Suzuki Gixxer SF, Bajaj Pulsar NS200 and Hero Xtreme 200S 4V, thanks to its smooth and plush engine, razor sharp handling and premium styling. The Gixxer SF feels lazy and laidback meanwhile the Pulsar NS200 seems slightly more powerful but the R15S has that perfect combination of performance, styling and brand name. Yamaha is well known for making machines that refuse to die; reliability and low maintenance costs are one more reason to consider one, after loggers have clocked 1,000s of miles that have ridden their sleds every last mile there is to ride-with minimal problems.
Rider Feedback and Actual Experience
R15S is appreciated by its owners for being sporty looking bike yet offering unstressed engine and nifty manners. Manym call it young persons “dream bike” because of the turning head design as well as the performance. I like the Racing Blue color and find that it receives a lot of attention from people. The music of the bike, particularly at higher revs, only enhances the fun on two wheels and it sounds like a proper supersport motorcycle when ridden briskly.
There are some minor drawbacks that riders note, however. The LED headlight’s output also might be better at night, which again strikes me as a shortcoming considering the night visibility it offers and the somewhat premium feel of the fit and finish it isn’t always on the level of pricier models in that regard. The aggressive riding position won’t be comfortable for everyone, especially on longer rides, but for city commuting and weekend rides, it’s a nearly perfect package.
Pricing and Value for Money
The Yamaha R15S is quite the value for money at Rs 1,68,355 (ex-showroom). On-road prices are different from city to city and could be anything between Rs 1.85 lakh in Delhi to Rs 1.97 lakh in Mumbai, which also includes taxes and registration charges. Two versions are available for this bike Racing Blue and Matte Black which enhances its sporty look. Dan Neil writes: The single trim level simplifies matters, would seem to keep prices down and not torment buyers by offering- you know- choices and what.
For those who want to take finance for the purchase of the R15S offers EMI of approximately Rs. 3,093 per month, so in this way it opens the door of owning the R15S to a wider i.e younge generation of riders! Low running costs and excellent fuel economy add to its appeal as a practical enthusiats bike that’s also great fun.
Who Should Not Buy the Yamaha R15S?
The Yamaha R15S is for those riders who are looking for a sporty motorcycle and are not ready to compromise on the practicality bit. It’s great for aspiring new riders, those looking for a nimble fun ride or seasoned riders who need a powerful but not too powerful bike to get back in the game. Its unibody seat means it appeals to riders who ride with a pillion regularly, and its powerful motor, and sharp handling those who enjoy manhandling their bike in twist equipment or highways.
Get the R15S in Racing Blue if you want a cool & fun-to-ride bike for your daily use. It doesn’t offer the same fancy electronics of pricier bags, but it hits you in the mouth where it counts performance and panache, with a touch of value. For them, who wish to own a super sports bike but light on purse, R15S is a dream.
Conclusion
Racing Blue Yamaha R15s is more than a bike, it’s a style statement. Its dramatic design stands out in the crowd while its single-cylinder, 155cc engine delivers impressive performance – there’s no room for disappointment. Competitively priced at Rs. 1,68,355 (ex-showroom), it gives you a mix of sporty fun and everyday usability that's hard to argue with. For those of you who love the rush of adrenalin that rush in when you take on your bike, the R15S is just made for you. For those looking for a powerful machine which is easy on the eyes, it would be really hard for them to resist the R15S in Racing Blue in the sports bike category.
