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Yamaha

Yamaha R15S

The R15 experience with the fancy bits trimmed for a lower price

By , founder and editor

Updated

Prices checked

Specs source: Yamaha

Yamaha R15S r15 s right side view · Image: BikeWale, used under licence

In short

The R15S keeps the R15 V4's 155cc, 18.1bhp engine and dual-channel ABS but swaps the USD fork for conventional telescopic forks and drops Bluetooth, starting at ₹1.60 lakh. It's for buyers who want R15 performance without paying for every feature the standard bike carries.

Engine
155 cc
Power
18.1 bhp
Claimed mileage
46 kmpl
Kerb weight
142 kg

What works

  • Same 18.1bhp engine and dual-channel ABS as the full-price R15
  • Slipper clutch retained despite the lower price
  • Roughly ₹15,000 cheaper than the standard R15 V4
  • Digital console covers essential information without extra cost

What doesn't

  • Conventional telescopic fork instead of the R15's USD units
  • No Bluetooth connectivity or ride modes
  • Fewer colour and variant choices than the full R15 range

Best for: Budget performance seekers, First sports bike, Solo weekend riding

Price and variants

Ex-showroom Delhi. On-road estimate for Delhi; other cities on the price page.

There is only one R15S to buy, priced at ₹1,60,026 ex-showroom in Delhi. The only decisions left are colour and whether to finance it.

That makes it priced 36th lowest among the 75 sports bikes we have reviewed. Its closest price rivals are the NX200 (₹579 more) and the Bullet 350 (₹5,630 more).

On the road in Delhi, budget about ₹1.84 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.

VariantEx-showroom

Standard

₹1,60,026

On-road price in 10 cities, with an EMI calculator

Mileage

R15S'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 21th for mileage, 4 kmpl above the group average of 42 kmpl.

Running cost per month and five-year ownership estimate

Engine and ride

Power comes from a 155cc single producing 18.1 bhp and 14.2 Nm, paired with a 6 Speed. At 142 kg the power-to-weight figure is 127 bhp per tonne, which ranks 38 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 a rear monoshock, dual-channel ABS and a slipper clutch, 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 R15S keeps the R15 V4's 155cc, 18.1bhp engine and dual-channel ABS but swaps the USD fork for conventional telescopic units and drops Bluetooth, starting at ₹1.60 lakh. It's the pragmatic choice for buyers who want R15 performance without paying for every feature.

Riding it every day

On regular city roads and highway stretches, the telescopic fork feels adequate, though it's noticeably less composed than the USD setup on hard braking or over rough patches, something to keep in mind on India's less-maintained roads. Real-world mileage of 43-48kmpl matches the standard R15, so running costs stay comparable. The slipper clutch is retained, which helps with quick downshifts at busy junctions and toll booths.

What to know before buying

Servicing at 4,000km intervals matches the standard R15, and Yamaha's dealer network makes parts easy to find in most cities. Without Bluetooth, you lose call and navigation alerts on the digital console, a real omission for riders used to connected dashboards. The narrower colour and variant choice compared to the full R15 range may limit personalisation options.

Who should buy it

Buyers who want the R15's engine and braking performance at a lower price, and don't mind giving up the USD fork feel and Bluetooth, will find the R15S a sensible option. Riders who value cutting-edge suspension and connectivity should stretch to the standard R15 instead.

Features and colours

  • Dual-channel ABS
  • Front disc brake
  • Rear disc brake
  • Tubeless tyres
  • Alloy wheels
  • Side-stand engine cut-off
  • Hazard lamps
  • Rear monoshock
  • Slipper clutch
  • LED headlamp
  • +4 more

On safety kit the R15S has dual-channel abs, front disc brake, rear disc brake, tubeless tyres, 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.

What it lacks: traction control, usd front forks, projector headlamp and bluetooth connectivity, which rivals at this price offer. The safety items in that list matter more than the console.

It is offered in 3 colours: Matte Black (New), Matte Black and Racing Blue. Colour availability varies by variant and dealer stock.

Full specifications and every feature explained

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 R15S is established enough that early production issues have been worked through and used examples give a fair read on resale.

R15S: questions people ask

What is the price of the Yamaha R15S?
The R15S is priced at ₹1,60,026 ex-showroom Delhi in its single variant, as of September 2026. On-road price adds road tax, registration and insurance.
What is the on-road price of the R15S in Delhi?
Roughly ₹1.84 Lakh for the base variant in Delhi: ₹1,60,026 ex-showroom plus ₹12,802 road tax, ₹1,100 registration and about ₹10,245 insurance. This is an estimate; dealer quotes include handling and accessories.
What is the mileage of the R15S?
Claimed mileage is 46 kmpl. Owners typically see 43–48 kmpl in mixed city and highway riding.
How much does the R15S 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 R15S?
With 10% down, a 36-month loan at 9.5% on the base variant comes to about ₹5,070 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 R15S?
It uses a 155cc engine producing 18.1 bhp and 14.2 Nm, with a 6 speed.
Is the R15S 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.
R15S or R15 V4: which is better?
The R15 V4 is ₹15,666 more expensive to start and less efficient at 46 kmpl against 46 kmpl. Pick the R15S for budget performance seekers, the R15 V4 for weekend track days. Our side-by-side comparison covers every spec.
Which bikes are cheaper than the R15S?
Among the 75 sports bikes we have reviewed, the Pulsar 125 (₹93,507), the Pulsar NS 200 (₹1.39 Lakh), the Apache RTR 160 (₹1.11 Lakh) start lower.
Is the difference between USD and telescopic forks noticeable in daily riding?
On regular roads the difference is subtle, but on hard braking or rough surfaces the R15's USD fork typically feels more planted than the R15S's telescopic units.
Does the R15S make sense over the standard R15 for a first-time buyer?
If you want the same engine performance and don't need Bluetooth or the USD fork's extra feel, the R15S saves money without giving up much day-to-day.

R15S vs its rivals

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