Yamaha’s MT-09 is renowned for its sharp handling characteristics and strong engine. Its light weight and compact frame make it a great package for enthusiasts looking for fun-factor. And Yamaha intends to deliver on the same lines with a smaller-capacity street-fighter for the masses. The R15 was always known to be a good performance biking proposition, but many found it a bit too aggressive as a daily commuter – and that’s where the MT-15 comes in. It delivers the practicality of an FZ and the performance of an R15.
Engine
Packed neatly within the frame is a 155cc, single-cylinder engine that produces 19bhp and 14.7Nm of torque. The motor is liquid-cooled and comes paired to a 6-speed manual transmission. For 2020, Yamaha is slated to launch the MT-15 in February 2020 with a BSVI-compliant engine.
Specifications
Looking at the MT-15, it comes across as a very compact motorcycle. That headlamp cluster at the front looks alien-like with the twin LED lamps above and the projector lamp set below. The body frame is nice and sleek. The 10-litre fuel tank looks shapely along with the fake air scoops giving it a sporty look. You’ll also find the radiator shroud located below. At the rear, the stubby tail section over the rear tyre gives it a nice stance from the side. The MT-15 can easily be deemed eye ball-grabbing material. In terms of dimensions, the MT-15 is 2020mm in length, 800mm in width and 1070mm in height. Acceleration is nice and strong and feels much quicker than the R15 and can manage a top speed of 130kph. Throttle response is very impressive too. The engine is vibration-free and the clutch feels light. For those of you looking for a nice, throaty exhaust note, look no further than the MT-15. At 138kgs, the bike feels light too. The ground clearance, on the other hand, is 155mm, while the bike has a wheelbase of 1335mm and a seat height of 810mm.
Mileage
The Yamaha MT-15 has a fuel tank capacity of 10 litres. In terms of mileage, the Yamaha MT-15 is capable of returning 44kmpl by ARAI, in BSIV guise.
Mechanical Parts
The rider is comfortably seated nice and high, with the foot pegs set in a sporty position and the handlebar close to the rider. The overall dimensions of the bike make it quite petite compared to other motorcycles, but the wide seat really helps. Around corners, the MT-15 is loads of fun and straight-line stability is excellent. The tyres offer good grip and the ride quality is supple. At the front, the bike rides on telescopic forks at the front, while the rear gets a swingarm (link suspension). As far as the chassis is concerned, it is built around a deltabox frame. The MT-15 runs on 100/80-17 tyres at the front and 140/70-17 tyres at the rear. Retardation duties are taken care of by disc brakes.
Features
Feature include bi-functional LED headlamps, LCD display with gearshift indication, single-channel ABS, alloy wheels with yellow-highlighted rims, assist and slipper clutch and an LED tail light.
Colours
The Yamaha MT-15, as of early 2020, is sold in two shades: Metallic Black and Dark Matt Blue.
Brochure
All the details regarding the Yamaha MT-15 – namely, the engine, specifications, styling information, colours, dimensions, features and exterior details are extensively covered in the company’s model brochure.
Prices and Variants
The Yamaha MT-15 is sold in one variant as of early 2020: MT-15 Single Channel ABS priced at ₹ 1.36 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The variant-wise on-road prices are available at autoX.
For more on the Yamaha MT-15, be sure to tune into autoX.