We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Yamaha has no shortage of lip-smacking motorcycles sold outside of America. These range from small-capacity commuters that turn heads to large-capacity maxi-scooters with sports bike levels of performance. Now, there’s a new addition to this list, straight from the world’s most populous country. It bears the auspicious MT badge and promises to be an uber-cool commuter for city streets.
The New Yamaha MT-15 Looks Premium And Unique
Case in context is the new MT-15. It serves as the entry-level model in the MT lineup, promising a premium experience for not a lot of money. That premium experience is largely thanks to its design and features. You get a unique alien-esque face with sharp LEDs and a projector below, reminiscent of the MT-03. This is flanked by muscular tank and radiator shrouds. The tail, meanwhile, remains petite in true MT fashion.
What sweetens the pot further is the set of punchy colors that shout “Gen-Alpha”. All of these have golden forks and go by the names:
- Metallic Black
- Metallic Silver Cyan
- Ice Storm DLX
- Vivid Violet Metallic DLX
- Metallic Black DLX
- Monster Energy Yamaha Edition
Coming to features, the MT-15 is quite loaded by entry-level standards. In fact, it’s so loaded, it actually makes a laughing stock of the bigger MT-03. The cockpit here comprises a color TFT instrument cluster, armed with smartphone connectivity as standard. So you can enjoy turn-by-turn navigation on the fly, while also staying on top of all your notifications (messages, calls, and emails). Other than that, Yamaha has also thrown in traction control, slipper clutch, and dual-channel ABS here. Much of these things are absent on the MT-03.
Key Features
- Traction control
- Slipper clutch
- Dual-channel ABS
- TFT instrument cluster
- Smartphone connectivity
- Turn-by-turn navigation
A Peppy Engine And Simple Underpinnings Round Off The Package
Like the design and features, the MT-15 impresses in the mechanical department. It has a 155cc, single-cylinder engine with liquid cooling and a segment-first variable valve actuation system. The latter helps all of its 17 horsepower and 10 pound-feet spread across the rev range as you go through the six-speed transmission.
Housing this engine is a steel deltabox chassis. It relies on chunky USD forks and a monoshock, where only the rear offers adjustability. This is topped by 17-inch alloy wheels, each of which has a single disc brake to help shed speed. While both discs are small (282 mm and 220 mm front and rear), the MT-15 is rather light (310 pounds) as well.
The MT-15 Is Limited To Asian Markets As Of Now
Like what you see? Then, you’ll be bummed to know that Yamaha has limited the MT-15 strictly to Asian markets. It has never been launched in this part of the world, and the chances of that happening are rather bleak in the future, too. So if you want a sporty Yamaha commuter on a budget, you’ll have to go with the $4,999 MT-03. There’s simply no other option.
Yamaha MT-15 Engine And Chassis Specs
|
Engine |
155cc, single-cylinder (with VVA) |
|
Power |
17 HP |
|
Torque |
10.3 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
Six-speed |
|
Chassis |
Steel deltabox |
|
Suspension |
USD forks and monoshock |
|
Wheels |
17/17-inch alloys |
|
Brakes |
Single discs (front and rear) |
|
Weight |
310 pounds |
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