Yamaha
Yamaha R15 V4
Yamaha's benchmark quarter-litre sports bike, still the one to beat
In short
The R15 V4 pairs a 155cc, 18.1bhp liquid-cooled engine with a USD front fork, dual-channel ABS and a slipper clutch, starting at ₹1.76 lakh. It's for riders who want race-derived handling in a package usable every day, though real-world mileage of 43-48kmpl trails cheaper commuter-focused rivals.
- Engine
- 155 cc
- Power
- 18.1 bhp
- Claimed mileage
- 46 kmpl
- Kerb weight
- 141 kg
What works
- USD front fork and dual-channel ABS on every variant
- 18.1bhp is class-leading among sub-160cc sports bikes
- Slipper clutch and ride modes support spirited riding
- Up to six variants including MotoGP livery options
What doesn't
- ₹1.76 lakh starting price sits above most 150cc rivals
- Real-world mileage of 43-48kmpl is modest for the segment
- Committed riding position isn't ideal for long daily commutes
Best for: Weekend track days, Enthusiast first bike, Spirited solo riding
Price and variants
Ex-showroom Delhi. On-road estimate for Delhi; other cities on the price page.
Ex-showroom Delhi, the R15 V4 range runs from ₹1,75,692 (Standard) to ₹2,01,357 (M - Carbon Fibre) across 6 variants.
That makes it priced 41th lowest among the 75 sports bikes we have reviewed. Its closest price rivals are the Xtreme 250R (₹3,101 less) and the Pulsar RS 200 (₹5,171 more).
On the road in Delhi, budget about ₹2.01 Lakh for the base variant once 8% Delhi road tax, registration and five-year third-party insurance are added. Dealers often quote higher by bundling accessories, extended warranty and handling charges; all three are negotiable.
| Variant | Ex-showroom | Rough EMI |
|---|---|---|
Standard | ₹1,75,692 | |
Dark Knight | ₹1,76,538 | |
Dual Tone | ₹1,80,341 | |
M - MotoGP Edition | ₹1,90,358 | |
M | ₹1,90,937 | |
M - Carbon Fibre | ₹2,01,357 |
Mileage
R15 V4's claimed mileage is 46 kmpl, and unusually, owners and our own riding land right on it: expect 43–48 kmpl in everyday use. Few bikes get this close to their brochure figure.
Among the 67 sports bikes we have reviewed it ranks 19th for mileage, 4 kmpl above the group average of 42 kmpl.
Engine and ride
Power comes from a 155cc single producing 18.1 bhp and 14.2 Nm, paired with a 6 Speed. At 141 kg the power-to-weight figure is 128 bhp per tonne, which ranks 37 of 73 in its class here.
Peak power is high relative to torque, so this engine rewards revs: it feels ordinary below the mid-range and comes alive above it.
Chassis hardware includes USD front forks, a rear monoshock, dual-channel ABS, a slipper clutch and traction control, with a disc, 282 mm, 2 piston caliper up front and disc, 220 mm, 1 piston caliper at the rear.
The 815 mm seat is on the tall side. Riders under 5'6" should sit on one before buying.
Our review
Riding impressions and the buying advice a spec sheet cannot give.
Verdict
The R15 V4 remains the reference point for sub-200cc sports bikes in India, and its 155cc, 18.1bhp engine with a USD fork and dual-channel ABS justifies the ₹1.76 lakh starting price for most buyers. It isn't the quickest thing on paper in Yamaha's own range now, but the chassis and brakes still feel a class above typical 150cc commuters.
Riding it every day
The clip-on bars and rear-set pegs mean city traffic and long waits at signals take more of a toll than an upright commuter would, a real consideration given how much time Indian riders spend stationary in urban traffic. Real-world mileage in the 43-48kmpl band is respectable but not segment-leading, and the 11-litre tank means fuel stops every few hundred kilometres. On broken roads and speed breakers, the 170mm ground clearance and firm setup cope well without bottoming out.
What to know before buying
Servicing at 4,000km intervals is longer than most Yamaha commuters, which helps running costs slightly. Yamaha's dealer network is strong in most cities, though genuine parts for the M and MotoGP editions can take longer to source outside metros. The narrow pillion seat means two-up highway trips work for short distances but get uncomfortable over longer ones.
Who should buy it
Riders who want genuine track-bike handling and don't mind the compromise in daily comfort will get the most from the R15. It's less suited to buyers whose main use case is daily two-up commuting or long-distance touring with luggage.
Features and colours
- Dual-channel ABS
- Front disc brake
- Rear disc brake
- Tubeless tyres
- Alloy wheels
- Traction control
- Side-stand engine cut-off
- Hazard lamps
- USD front forks
- Rear monoshock
- +9 more
On safety kit the R15 V4 has dual-channel abs, front disc brake, rear disc brake, tubeless tyres, traction control, side-stand engine cut-off and hazard lamps. Dual-channel ABS is the one item on this list worth paying for if it is variant-dependent.
Against R2, R15S or MT-15 V2, it gets hazard lamps, projector headlamp and ride modes that most rivals skip.
It is offered in 10 colours: Metallic Grey, Dark Knight, Metallic Black, Intensity White, Metallic Red, Matte White Pearl, Racing Blue, Icon Performance, MotoGP Edition and MotoGP Edition New. Colour availability varies by variant and dealer stock.
Warranty, service and ownership
Standard warranty is 2 years or 30,000 km. After the free services, the recommended interval is every 4,000 km.
Service reach is good: Yamaha has about 2,500 dealer and workshop touchpoints across the country.
On sale since 2021, the R15 V4 is established enough that early production issues have been worked through and used examples give a fair read on resale.
R15 V4: questions people ask
- What is the price of the Yamaha R15 V4?
- The R15 V4 costs between ₹1,75,692 and ₹2,01,357 ex-showroom Delhi across 6 variants, as of September 2026. On-road price adds road tax, registration and insurance and varies by state.
- What is the on-road price of the R15 V4 in Delhi?
- Roughly ₹2.01 Lakh for the base variant in Delhi: ₹1,75,692 ex-showroom plus ₹14,055 road tax, ₹1,100 registration and about ₹10,525 insurance. This is an estimate; dealer quotes include handling and accessories.
- What is the mileage of the R15 V4?
- Claimed mileage is 46 kmpl. Owners typically see 43–48 kmpl in mixed city and highway riding.
- How much does the R15 V4 cost to run per month?
- Fuel works out to about ₹2.08 per km in Delhi, so a 30 km daily commute costs roughly ₹1,625 a month before servicing.
- What is the EMI for the R15 V4?
- With 10% down, a 36-month loan at 9.5% on the base variant comes to about ₹5,570 a month. A shorter tenure raises the EMI but cuts total interest; see the EMI calculator on the price page.
- What is the engine capacity and power of the R15 V4?
- It uses a 155cc engine producing 18.1 bhp and 14.2 Nm, with a 6 speed.
- Is the R15 V4 suitable for short riders?
- It is on the tall side at 815 mm. Riders under 5'6" may be on tiptoe at stops and should try it before buying.
- R15 V4 or R2: which is better?
- The R2 is ₹55,804 more expensive to start and less efficient at 35 kmpl against 46 kmpl. Pick the R15 V4 for weekend track days, the R2 for highway commuting. Our side-by-side comparison covers every spec.
- Which bikes are cheaper than the R15 V4?
- Among the 75 sports bikes we have reviewed, the Pulsar 125 (₹93,507), the MT-15 V2 (₹1.68 Lakh), the Pulsar NS 200 (₹1.39 Lakh) start lower.
- Is the R15 too uncomfortable for daily office commutes?
- The clip-on handlebars and rear-set footpegs put weight on your wrists in slow traffic, so expect some fatigue on longer daily commutes; it's happier on open roads.
- Can the R15 carry a pillion comfortably on the highway?
- The rear seat is narrow and firm, so it works for short pillion trips, but expect complaints from a passenger on longer highway stretches.
R15 V4 vs its rivals
Around ₹1.76 Lakh
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Before you buy
R15 V4 from
₹1.76 Lakh