Yamaha MT 15 V2

Yamaha MT 15 has been a favourite among young riders for its sharp looks and sporty feel. The MT 15 is inspired by the “Dark Side of Japan” design, it looks very aggressive and stylish. The bike shares its engine and frame with the R15, but features a more upright and comfortable riding position. Moreover, Version 2.0 introduces major upgrades, including USD forks and enhanced technology. But is it really worth the price? Let’s find out in detail.

The Yamaha MT 15 V2 looks like a beast from the front with that projector LED headlamp. It has eyebrow-like DRLs that give it a sharp and aggressive road presence. Moreover, the new colours like Cyan Storm and Ice Fluo-Vermillion make it look very attractive. The gold USD forks also enhance their premium streetfighter appeal.

The muscular tank extensions make the bike appear larger than it is. The tail section is compact, which adds to its sporty look, although it compromises pillion comfort somewhat. The steel grab rails are sturdy, but the design could use some refinement.

The panel fit and finish are solid. After testing it over 1,500 km, none of its parts came loose or produced any rattling noises, even at high speeds. The quality of the switchgear is decent, although nothing extraordinary. Moreover, the MT 15’s plastic parts feel strong and well-built. Overall, the MT 15 V2 is a head-turner on the road.

During our rides, the 155cc engine truly impressed us. Sharing its DNA with the R15 V4, it delivers 18.14 bhp of power and 14.1 Nm of torque. While the slight torque bump isn’t very noticeable, the engine itself is incredibly smooth and loves to rev. We hit a top speed of around 122 kmph before it started feeling a bit strained.

We noticed it really comes alive after 6,000 rpm, and once the VVA kicks in around 7,000 rpm, there’s a noticeable surge in performance. Below 4,000 rpm, it felt a bit sluggish in city traffic, but it could still cruise comfortably at 35 kmph in 6th gear without needing a downshift.

In terms of fuel efficiency, we achieved approximately 53 kmpl in the city with relaxed riding and around 48 kmpl on the highway. This gave us a range of over 500km with its 10-litre fuel tank.  This makes the MT 15 V2 a very practical companion for everyday use.

This Yamaha bike has a wide handlebar and slightly rear-set footpegs. You sit in a relaxed, upright streetfighter position. The seat height is 810mm, which makes it friendly for shorter riders. While riding it, we found the 810mm seat height to be quite pleasant for shorter riders.

During our longer rides, the thigh support felt quite comfortable and helped with overall stability. The bike offers good comfort and suits its sporty style well for daily city rides and short trips. However, the seat cushioning turned out to be a bit too soft after a couple of hours. You can upgrade cushioning with aftermarket options to enhance comfort.

The new USD forks at the front felt like a good upgrade. The rear-linked monoshock kept the bike stable, and it handled corners well. However, the ride was a bit stiff, but the bike managed it well. Overall, the ride feels very nimble and comfortable.

The handling of the MT 15 V2 really stood out during the rides. It feels light, quick, and easy to manoeuvre through city traffic. Its compact size and nimbleness make taking corners very confident.

The new swingarm and USD forks give a solid, responsive feel at the front. The front brake works fine but doesn’t have a strong initial bite, while the rear brake feels a bit vague and triggers the ABS early. Still, overall braking is reliable and safe.

As for the tyres, the wide radial at the rear and the nylon tyre up front performed well on both dry and wet roads. They provided good grip throughout, which suits the bike’s power perfectly. The rear tyre is expected to last around 22,000 km, and the front one can easily reach up to 27,000 km. This makes both quite durable for regular use.

The bike comes with a negatively lit LCD console, which is clean and easy to read. On the DLX and MotoGP variants, the Bluetooth connectivity was handy for getting call and SMS alerts. The LED projector headlamp offered a strong beam with good throw during night rides.

The dual-channel ABS performed reliably throughout our tests. We appreciated the addition of LED indicators on the higher variants, which adds a premium touch. Overall, the MT 15 V2 has all useful features that make it a great choice for daily usage. 

The MT 15 is priced at Rs 1.68 lakh, offering great value. This bike is more affordable than the KTM 125 Duke and gives you better performance, mileage, and features. After riding it for a while, we found it fun, stylish, and very fuel-efficient.

The bike handles really well, and the engine feels smooth and refined. So, if you want a sporty and practical 155cc motorcycle, the MT 15 V2 is definitely worth considering.