Yamaha will launch the R15 Version 3 in India next month. The Japanese manufacturer hasn’t given many updates to its flagship made in India motorcycle and the updated model has very few cosmetic changes. The Yamaha R15 Version 3 gets a new grey hue colour and a black-and-golden special edition (this was showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo). The good news is, Yamaha won’t hike the prices of the R15 drastically with the new model expected to retail at a similar Rs. 1.12 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Yamaha has updated the ECU and fuel injection system on the R15 Version 3. The new map offers a power output of 18 PS, which is a 1 PS increment over the old model. The torque output remains the same at 15 Nm but the spread of torque has been improved for better mid-range performance. No other changes are being reported and thus the Version 3 of the Yamaha R15 appears to be quite disappointing. A 1 PS increase in power is very minuscule, considering other manufacturers are boosting output significantly.
The Yamaha R15 is one of the most appealing 150cc performance machines but the lack of major updates is not going to go well with YZF fans. The company should have looked at competing with the upcoming Bajaj Pulsar SS200 and Hero Karizma ZMR by boosting the power output to at least 20 PS. We were also expecting some cosmetic tweaks, on the lines of what we have seen on the R125. A better instrument cluster and improved pillion comfort would definitely boost the appeal of the R15 significantly.
Source – Zigwheels