Yamaha MT-15

Based on the lines of its bigger and more powerful international models of the MT range of sporty nakeds, the 2021 Yamaha MT-15 is the smallest of them all. However, Yamaha has shown no dearth in the efforts to make it a typical MT naked commuter, with the same extrovert and aggressive design from its elder siblings for it. The tall and lean stance of the Yamaha MT-15 surely manages to make it look very athletic.

At the front, the 2021 Yamaha MT-15 has got a very menacing look, with a minimalist front fascia comprising of a small LED projector bulb encased within a tiny plastic cover. Above the headlamp, this front fascia gets eyebrow-shaped daytime running LEDs, which surely make this front fascia look too unique. This whole fascia of the MT-15 gets a thin and small tinted visor above it, with each of its sides getting clear lens turn indicators.

The 2021 Yamaha MT-15 has got a very likable pouncing forward stance when viewed from the sideways. The biggest highlight in the side profile of the motorcycle has to be the large and bulky-looking fuel tank, which gets substantial-looking fuel tank extensions at its lower edges, which further accentuates its overall bulk even more. The aluminium frame sourced from YZF-R15 is partially exposed here, along with the black-themed engine which gets a small engine cowl below it. Even the long black-themed exhaust pipe has been shared with the YZF-R15.

The 2021 Yamaha MT-15 gets minimalist side body cowls and slim rear side body panels, the latter of which has a stubby design and gets a small clear lens LED tail lamp at its rearward end. The 2021 Yamaha MT-15 gets a very long and sleek-looking rear fender attached to its tailpiece, which has got a slight horizontal design and comes fitted with clear lens turn indicators. 

The rider’s cockpit of the 2021 Yamaha MT-15 might not look too futuristic and supremely appealing as the rest of the design of the motorcycle. However, the fully digital instrument console, with its negative display theme, looks quite cool. This small rectangular display unit packs in enough info for the go, with a speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, gear position indicator, temperature, and gear shift indicator. The almost straight handlebar not only provides a great view of the road ahead but also makes the overall handling of the motorcycle quite enjoyable (more on that later).

Not only the engine, but the rest of the chassis of the 2021 Yamaha MT-15 too is derived from the YZF-R15. The basic delta box frame, upside-down hydraulic telescopic forks at the front, swingarm with linked monoshock at the rear, 110/70-17 front and 140/70-17 rear tires, and disc brakes at both ends are completely shared with the YZF-R15, which is testimony in itself of how great handler the MT-15 is. The tall set wide handlebar, as well as rear-set footpegs, make a fine balance between outright sporty riding as well as relaxed commuting.

The 2021 Yamaha MT-15 has been blessed with the same engine which powers its faired supersport cousin, the YZF-R15. On the 2021 Yamaha MT-15 too, the engine pumps out the same power and torque numbers as in the R15 – 19.3 PS of maximum power output and 14.7 Nm of peak torque output. This four-stroke, fuel-injected, 155cc engine is one of the most technologically advanced engines in its category, with features like variable valve actuation and liquid cooling.

While the presence of assist and slipper clutch is hugely appreciated in the 2021 Yamaha MT-15, the absence of ABS, even a single channel unit, is one surprising omission in the motorcycle.

The tall and lean stance coupled with an extrovert and mean-looking design gives a tremendous road presence to the 2021 Yamaha MT-15. Adding to it, the fantastic engine and chassis derived from the brilliant YZF-R15, and that too in the same state of tune, makes it a wonderful and sprightly performer and handler, especially in urban conditions.