The Yamaha YZF-R15 is a single-cylinder sport motorcycle introduced in 2008. It became one of the most important small sport bikes in India and Southeast Asia and reached its fourth generation in 2021.
Yamaha YZF-R15 at a glance
| Maker | Yamaha Motor Company |
|---|---|
| Class | 150 cc sport motorcycle |
| Introduced | 2008 |
| First engine | 149.5 cc single-cylinder four-stroke SOHC, four valves |
| Bore and stroke | 57.0 × 58.7 mm |
| Power | 12.2 kW at 8,500 rpm |
| Torque | 14.5 N·m at 7,500 rpm |
| Gearbox | six-speed |
| Front brake | 270 mm disc with twin-piston caliper |
| Rear brake | 220 mm disc with single-piston caliper |
| 2017 engine | 155.1 cc with VVA, 14.2 kW at 10,000 rpm |
| 2017 front brake | 282 mm disc |
Based on one source (English Wikipedia).
History of the Yamaha YZF-R15
The first YZF-R15 was launched in 2008 with a 149.5 cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine with four valves and a single overhead camshaft. The bore and stroke were 57.0 by 58.7 mm, and the engine made a claimed 12.2 kW at 8,500 rpm and 14.5 N·m at 7,500 rpm. The radiator sat in front of the engine with a fan behind it, the gearbox was a six-speed return type with a wet multi-plate clutch, and the bike used a 270 mm front disc with a twin-piston caliper and a 220 mm rear disc with a single-piston caliper, both by Nissin. Suspension was a twin telescopic fork at the front and a linked single shock at the rear, and the R15 had the twin headlights of the YZF-R series.
A second iteration, called v2.0, was released in India in September 2011 and in Indonesia in April 2014. It brought a revised ECU, swingarm, drivetrain, split seat, higher seat height, LED tail light, wider tyres, a taller final ratio, a longer wheelbase and redesigned middle and tail sections. India also received an R15S with a flatter single seat, and a naked variation called the M-Slaz, Xabre or TFX 150 was built in Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.
The third iteration, v3.0, was launched in Indonesia in January 2017 and brought a new 155.1 cc engine with a 58.0 by 58.7 mm bore and stroke and Variable Valve Actuation. It made a claimed 14.2 kW at 10,000 rpm and 14.7 N·m at 8,500 rpm, with a larger 282 mm front disc, an inverted front fork and an assist and slipper clutch, plus an all-LED lighting system and a full LCD instrument panel. A fourth iteration, v4.0, was launched in India in September 2021.
Design and features
- Single-cylinder engine: a light 150 cc unit with four valves and SOHC.
- Nissin brakes: a 270 mm front disc and 220 mm rear disc on early models.
- VVA engine: the 2017 update brought variable valve actuation and a larger front disc.
- Four generations: continuous development from 2008 to 2021.
Yamaha YZF-R15 versions
- R15 (2008–2011): the original 149.5 cc model.
- R15 v2.0 (2011–2016): revised bodywork, seat, swingarm and wheels.
- R15S: Indian version with a flat single seat.
- M-Slaz / Xabre / TFX 150: naked variations built in Southeast Asia.
- R15 v3.0 (2017–2021): 155 cc VVA engine, inverted fork and LED lighting.
- R15 v4.0 (2021–): fourth iteration launched in India.
The R15 sits below the YZF-R3 in Yamaha’s sport range. More models are in the Yamaha collection.
Sources
- Yamaha YZF-R15, English Wikipedia: generations, engine, brakes, suspension, 2017 update
