Yamaha to launch MT-15 to take on Bajaj Pulsar, TVS Apache in India

Yamaha YZF-R15 is a very popular motorcycle in India, especially the enthusiasts. Yamaha is now planning to launch the naked version of the Yamaha YZF-R15 and will be known as the Yamaha MT-15. Yamaha showcased the all-new 2019 MT-15 but has not revealed the specifications of the bike. While the Yamaha R15 has gained a lot of popularity, Yamaha did not have a product to directly take on the Bajaj Pulsar 200 and TVS Apache 200. The MT-15 would be launched in 2019.

The Indian market will get the 2019 Yamaha MT-15, which is yet to be released in the international markets too. The bike will be based on the recently updated Yamaha YZF-R15 V3.0 and will offer sharp design and styling. Most of the cycle and mechanical parts will be shared between both the motorcycles except for the design and the seating posture.

The all-new, liquid-cooled 155cc engine that was first introduced with the Yamaha YZF-R15 in the Indian market. It produces a maximum power of 19.3 Bhp and 15 Nm of peak torque but we are not sure if the MT-15 would come with the same performance tuning. Yamaha may tune the bike to suit its lower weight because of the absence of the fairing. The same 6-speed transmission would be available on the bike. Even though it is a 150cc engine, it is powerful enough to take on the 200cc bikes in India like the Bajaj Pulsar 200NS that produces a maximum of 23.2 Bhp and 18.1 Nm.

The all-new MT-15 was first showcased at the 2019 Thailand Motor Show. The pre-production version sported upside-down fork, rear mono-shock, disc brakes, LED headlamps, a sporty fuel tank and all-digital instrument cluster. All these features are also available with the international version of the Yamaha YZF R15 V3.0, however, to keep the cost in check, Yamaha replaced a few parts like the USD fork and the footpegs. We expect similar changes in the upcoming MT-15 too.

Yamaha would price the MT-15 at around Rs. 1.2 lakhs, which would be slightly lower than the price of the fully-faired YZF-R15 V3.0. The price of the Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS starts at Rs. 98,000, ex-showroom but also offers ABS in the higher priced variant. Yamaha is yet to offer ABS on the Yamaha R15 V3.0 but new test bikes have been spotted with ABS in India and we can expect the same with the upcoming MT-15.

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