Yamaha MT-15 2.0 What's New? First Ride Review

This is Yamaha’s MT-15’s 2.0 version. There are some minor updates that Yamaha has been done in the 2.0 version. What are the changes and how improved does the Yamaha MT-15 feel after those changes and is the update worth? Let’s take a look.

Now, if we talk about design, in this department there have been no revisions in this 2.0 version. In the R15 V4 we saw some design changes. The livery is the same as the previous version, but the cyan colour is newly introduced. Visually, the first change you will spot is with the front USD forks, that were telescopic in the past. New USD forks comes with 37mm travel. The front mudguard is slightly different, the plastic is a little stronger and the design is a little different. The headlights are bifunctional. The cluster is the same as before, no changes are seen there. The wheels are matched to the body colour. Coming onto the brakes, there is single channel ABS. The 2.0 version should have had dual-channel ABS, but that’s not something Yamaha has updated.

Talking about the rear, the exhaust looks the same, no differences to be seen there. Another big change is that Yamaha has given the MT-15 an aluminium swing-arm in the 2.0 version. We’ll talk about changes in ride and handling performance that the front forks and the rear swing arm have brought about. Apart from this, the instrument cluster now has a negative LCD display. It also has Bluetooth connectivity, which the previous version didn’t. It displays mileage, speedometer, tachometer, gear indicator, fuel gauge, trip meter and an odometer. These are the 2-3 big changes that Yamaha has made in this new 2.0 version. Design is unchanged, it is same as before. Now lets talk about how the performance is with these changes and what the ride and handling of this new version 2.0 is like.

First, let's look at some statistics. There’s still a 155cc engine, producing 18.2 bhp and 13.9 nm of torque. We get to see a 6-speed gearbox, and single-channel ABS. Dual-channel ABS is not an option that has been added. Talking about weight, the kerb weight is 138 kg. The ground clearance is 170 mm and the fuel tank capacity is 10 litres.

If we talk about the starting performance, the amount of excitement that the previous gen MT-15 provided, is more than the performance this version provides. Although later, we get to see good power delivery. The ride in the city is good. On highways you don’t get to feel that much excitement because the torque curve of the old one was better. In the city, power-wise, this bike is sorted. Suspension felt a little on the stiffer end and this in the city where we get to see sudden speed breakers and potholes, makes the ride feel a little uncomfortable.

In terms of braking, dual-channel ABS is not an option that has been added to the 2.0 version of the MT-15. Overall, in terms of breaking I couldn’t feel any faults, it’s precise and accurate. At high speeds and at low speed, the brakes do their job well.

Has Yamaha been able to make the MT-15 version 2.0 a better package than before? The mileage is a little bit better, but the price has increased by around ₹12-15k as compared to the old version. The major changes are the front USD forks and the new rear aluminium swing-arm. I feel that, increase of around 6-8k could have justified the changes that Yamaha has done in this version. But the increase is more that that which is also not in favour of the customer.

Now let’s talk about the Yamaha MT-15 version 2.0’s 3 'dhansu' and 3 not-so-'dhansu' elements that I found. First, let's talk about the 3 not-so-'dhansu' elements. The first not-so-'dhansu' element is the posture of the seat. I felt that the length and width was not comfortable for long rides. That’s one place where I think they could improve. The second not-so-'dhansu' element that I thought was that Yamaha in the MT-15 version 2.0 should have at least offered dual-channel ABS, but they haven’t. The third not-so-'dhansu' element is that, although there are new USD forks in the front, and they look good, but overall the feel of the suspension setup is on the stiffer end. So, there will be a little compromise in the ride comfort. What are the 3 'dhansu' elements of the Yamaha MT-15 2.0? The first is - although the design hasn’t changed, it’s the same - overall there is a naked streetfighter bike feel present throughout in its design and that still looks good. The second 'dhansu' element. There has been a compromise in its power, a very minute amount of power has been reduced, the torque has slightly increased, but these changes have made the mileage better. In terms of mileage, I think this bike is a good package. The third and final 'dhansu' element of this bike is that the engine feels refined.

So according to me, if you want a nice bike with a naked streetfighter look, and you expect good fuel efficiency in this 150cc segment and you want good connected features and decent performance in the city. Then keeping all that in mind, I think Yamaha’s MT-15 version 2.0 can be a good package for you.

(This is a transcription of a video review)