After much speculation, the highly anticipated Yamaha YZF R15 Version 3.0 was launched in Indonesia on 23rd January. The launch ceremony was presided by Movistar Yamaha MotoGP riders Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales. We bring you the overview of the motorcycle in terms of overall design aesthetics and mechanical components.
*** Maverick Vinales on the Yamaha YZF R15 version 3.0
Design Aesthetics:
With Yamaha updating all of its 'R' lineup one by one, the R15 v3.0 was much expected. In the same lines of Yamaha YZF R1 and R6, the mini monster 'R' gets an all new design. The front of the motorcycle is much sharper with a large opening for the ram air intake system along with a pair of LED headlight unit on either sides. The windscreen is now much wider, thanks to Yamahas new design philosophy. The side panels of the fairing is entirely redesigned, and has a sleek profile with a small opening for radiator air flow. The tank now gets thin fins just like the MotoGP bike M1, which goes in place with the overall design. The conventional telescopic suspension is also upgraded to beefy upside-down forks upfront. The rear of the motorcycle looks like a miniature of the YZF R1, as the taillights look exactly the same way accompanied with the hollow rear panels.
The exhaust canister is also entirely new and gels well with the motorcycle. It still continues with the highly acclaimed Deltabox frame, with a small design change for the swingarm. The motorcycle comes in 3 colours- Racing blue, Matte Black and Matte Red, with Racing Blue being our personal favourite.
Instrument Cluster and Switchgear:The motorcycle gets an all new completely digital instrument cluster which would have the speedometer, tachometer, odo meter, trip meter, engine coolant temperature and gear indicator (expected) along with all other tell tale lamps. The switch gear quality looks top notch as usual, with no separate headlamp ON-OFF switch as the headlights are always ON. There is a warning switch, which makes all indicators blink is present on the motorcycle- probably a first in the segment.
Engine:The 155cc SOHC single cylinder engine is completely new which uses Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) technology. With this technology, Yamaha can continue to use SOHC instead of DOHC, keeping the engine size compact. The VVA mechanism works by shifting between the intake cam lobes for low speed range and high speed range. The shifting point between the both is set at 6000 rpm. This results in a linear acceleration feeling, sharper throttle response and torque can be controlled precisely by the rider's wrist. The engine is liquid cooled with a displacement of 155.1 cc. The bore x stroke dimensions are 58 x 58.7mm making it almost a square engine with a compression ratio of 11.6 : 1. The maximum power is 19.3 ps at 10,000 rpm (highest in segment) and the torque figures range at 14.7 Nm at 8,500 rpm. The clutch is a Wet type multi plate unit, which is speculated to have slip-assist functionality. The fuel tank can take up to 11 litres of fuel and the motorcycle tips the scale at just 137 kgs wet, which is pretty impressive.
Tyres and Brakes:The front tyre is of 100/80- 17 M/C 52P profile and the rear comes shod with a fat 140/70- 17 M/C 66S rubber. The brakes looks to be carried out from the current generation model, as they're much efficient with great feedback. The bikes didn't have ABS rings during the launch, but we expect them to be available while it comes to sale in India.
Pictures Credits: TMCBlog
By: Aravind Rb