Yamaha’s YZF-R15 has offered riders the last word sportbike in its 150cc phase, managing to retain the unadulterated feel of its legendary mentors, the supersports YZF-R6 and R1.
Leaned over mid-corner, tires fiercely gripping the tarmac, its engine screaming out the high revs it craves, this Yamaha has treated aspiring sportbike riders ever since its launch. The lean and compact, technology-packed R15 represents a mean package, accelerating, turning and stopping with the aggression of a precision, laser-guided missile.
Powering around a collection of corners at the Madras Motorsports track, India, the YZF-R15 Version a pair of.0 feels each bit pretty much as good as Yamaha’s “Racing Instinct” philosophy suggests. simply what quantity higher is that the R15 V2.0, and might it reignite the eagerness amongst sport bikers as did the original?
The list of changes is intensive. though the aggressive twin-headlights stay acquainted, there’s a beefier mid-fairing region, currently with slotted vents that Yamaha claim improve the motorcycle’s aerodynamic potency by four p.c. a classy new mock carbon fiber panel appearance a neighborhood of the frame, while V 2.0 conjointly boasts an extensively altered, steeply angled and waspish trying split-seat.
At the rear you see a better, YZF-R6 impressed LED tail-lamp. Below this sits a well machined, alloy variety plate and switch indicator mount. The exhaust is way higher trying, additional aggressively angled and you can’t miss the flowery new rear wheel hugger that doesn’t extremely slot in well on a sportbike like this.
Look nearer and finer changes are apparent; the still compact R15 trying longer than its predecessor, as its wheelbase has extended 55mm (nearly a pair of inches), because of a brand new alloy swingarm, rare for this category of motorbike. a bigger 130/70 section radial rear tire completes the muscular trying rear. The front disc brake enjoys a bigger carrier, whereas the rear disc is currently slightly larger at 220mm.
The eu has changed tuning for improved throttle response, and therefore the throttle operating cam is formed for additional linear response. Yamaha has sadly did not add power to the new model, and enthusiasts are bound to feel discomfited when noticing the unchanged sixteen.8 hp at eight500 rpm peak power output. What’s additional, the V2.0 tips the scales at 5kg (11 lbs) quite the first R15. It currently claims a 300-pound curb weight.
Sling a leg over the YZF-R15 V2.0, and you immediately perceive how the riding position is most additional track targeted, with its comparatively forward-set stance. A light, unobtrusive buzz from the 150cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder powerplant is acquainted as I build my manner round the track on a cautious initial lap.
What’s immediately apparent is how the ability deliver has improved. in contrast to earlier R15’s that had to be wound up to actually get going, the V2.0 is clearly additional responsive, with a healthier punch within the bottom and mid-range of its powerband. The bike revs cleanly to its ten,000-rpm limiter. This additional user-friendly nature vastly improves the R15’s public road skills, that was a sore purpose on the sooner bike. As speeds increase, it’s clear that fears of any vital drop in performance are unfounded. Pleasantly, our tests make sure the new Yamaha as faster, the V2.0 achieving one hundred kph (62.5 mph) from standstill 0.5 a second quicker than managed by us on the older bike, in 14.14 seconds.
Yamaha’s steel Deltabox frame is that the magic wand that grants the R15 rock-solid poise around corners, and an virtually feline-like affinity for fast direction changes. It’s a case of the most effective recuperating, the longer alloy swingarm and improved tires considerably improving stability. a giant modification is palpable when attacking corners, with some negligible sacrifice to flickability, however a newfound stability there for the asking in an exceedingly corner. The R15 V2.0 is additional forgiving, and prods you to ride tougher and faster. The sportier riding position and heavier front weight bias give a additional connected, direct feel, that experienced riders can exploit to extract higher pace.
The revised, Indian-made MRF tires give solid grip when leaned over or beneath onerous braking. we tend to found nothing however absolute commitment even when expecting rear wheel hop whereas pushing onerous over patchy, bumpy tarmac. The bite from the front brake is difficult to fault, invariably powerful enough, whereas still progressive.
Street riders have restricted the R15’s shortcomings before, and therefore have solely regarding the maximum amount to complain regarding, with the bonus of improved power delivery trying to create up in some live for the uncomfortable riding position.
Paying additional for this upgraded model despite no peak power gains are may appear to carry back this revised model, and therefore the R15’s good chassis really begs for additional power to match its perfectly sorted dynamics. The competition is simply intensifying with each passing day, which implies Yamaha still got to pull their gloves off a trifle additional, with even additional conviction.
Among the many changes for 2012 is an R6-inspired LED tail-lamp.
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