For 2023, Yamaha's small-displacement lineup will be all the more complete.
Along with the recently reported XSR125, the new YZF-R125, which features the YZF-R7 face of its big brother, will make its debut in Japan. In addition, the 155cc YZF-R15 is also expected to make its debut in Japan, expanding the domestic YZF-R series and strengthening the small-displacement range, which has been lacking in the market.
Written: Best Car Editorial Department
This article was originally published in Best Car Web on October 24, 2022.
- The Japanese version of the youngest brother of Supersport will finally debut for the first time.
- Is the new YZF-R125 armed with the same TRACTION CONTROL and quick shifter as the R15?
- High Speed OK, 155cc R15 to Debut in Japan, 8 YZF-R Series Models Line Up
- YZF-R25 has just undergone a model change; will it remain the status quo for the time being?
The Japanese version of the youngest brother of Supersport will finally debut for the first time.
Yamaha's Japan lineup currently has no sport model in the 125cc category. It is far behind Honda, with its Grom, Monkey, Daks, and Hunter Cub, and Suzuki, with its GSX-R125 and GSX-S125, in the same class.
Meanwhile, overseas, Yamaha has a platform consisting of a liquid-cooled single-cylinder 125cc and a twin-tube frame and offers the supersport YZF-R125 and naked MT-125. In 2021, the neo-retro XSR125 was added to this lineup.
We recently reported that the XSR125 is likely to be introduced to the Japanese market, and the YZF-R125 is also expected to arrive in Japan at the same time.
Since its debut in 2009, the YZF-R125 has been available as an official import and as a parallel import, but until now there has been no domestic version. Many have voiced their desire for a lineup, so the introduction of the YZF-R125 in Japan would be good news.
The 2022 R125 European version. The YZF- will be omitted in Europe and other markets. The 2019 model adopts the same style as the R15, which had a LED twin-lid headlight in the 2017 model.
The XSR125 is currently on released in Europe. This is a scaled-down version of the XSR155, which was released in Thailand and other countries in 2018, and is also likely to be introduced to Japan in 2023. In addition to cast wheels, a spoked version was also introduced in 2022
Is the new YZF-R125 armed with the same TRACTION CONTROL and quick shifter as the R15?
Moreover, we are informed that the YZF-R125 will be remodeled for the 2023 model year and will be unveiled at the Mira Show in November. The current model has a twin-lens headlight, but we expect it to be replaced by a mono-eye style LED headlight built into the same M-shaped duct as the new YZF-R7.
The rationale for this is that the base model of the YZF-R125, the 155cc YZF-R15, was revamped with the aforementioned face in the fall of 2021. The YZF-R15 features new features such as traction control, the first traction control on a Yamaha small transmission model, the first quick shifter on a Yamaha single-cylinder model, and an LCD meter with wireless connection to a smartphone.
The R15 is the only Japanese 125-160cc class with a transmission that has a traction controller and shifter. It is by far the most luxuriously equipped. The new YZF-R125 is likely to inherit these features and reign as the most powerful 125 sport bike.
The introduction of the XSR125 in Japan is likely to take place in late 2023 or later. In addition to the XSR125, the YZF-R125 will be introduced, and the MT-125, utilizing a common platform, may be launched in Japan.
Currently, Yamaha has three main series: the supersport YZF-R, the naked MT, and the neo-classic XSR.
In Japan, these series may come together in the 125 series.
2022 R15 Indian spec. with M-shaped ducts + bi-function LED headlights, a feature derived from the YZF-R7.
The new YZF-R125 will also look like this.
The YZF-R15 India version is available in YZF-R1M-style silver and MotoGP colors, as well as black (photo), red, and blue.
YZF-R15 India-spec color variation. It is inspired by the YZR-M1 in MotoGP works colors.
Of course, the R15 has better specs, but the most important thing is that it can be driven on the highway. The R15 is also more luxurious in terms of equipment, such as traction control, a shifter, and a meter linked to the smartphone.
High Speed OK, 155cc R15 to Debut in Japan, 8 YZF-R Series Models Line Up
In addition, its sibling, the YZF-R15, is also expected to be available in Japan in 2023. The 150cc class that can be ridden on the highway has become popular among scooters such as the PCX160 but will be quite rare among sport bikes.
The YZR-R15 has a luxurious chassis with a steel twin-spar delta box frame reminiscent of a big bike, inverted forks, and an aluminum swingarm. These are also followed by the YZF-R125, which shares the same basic design except for displacement, including VVA with variable valve timing and an engine with an assist and slipper clutch.
The YZF-R series will add the YZF-R7 in 2021, and there are rumors that the YZF-R9 will debut in 2024.
This would complete the lineup of up to eight models overseas, in order of decreasing displacement: YZF-R125, R15, R25, R3, R6 (race-based models only), R7, R9, and R1. (Yamaha has also trademarked the YZF-R4 and R5, so there is a possibility of even more!
In Japan, this full YZF-R lineup is expected to be sequentially available from late 2023 onward.
The light motorcycle (126-250cc) class will have two machines, the YZF-R15, and the YZF-R25.
The Indonesian-spec R15 is priced at 4,385,000 rupiah (about 2905 USD).
Incidentally, the domestic-spec YZF-R25 is produced in Indonesia and is priced at 6.276 million rupiah (about 4155 USD) locally and 4580 USD (668,800 yen) in Japan. Applying this, the domestic-spec YZF-R15 would cost about 3425 USD.
The YZF-R15 is equipped with VVA, which switches cams around 7400 rpm to provide both low-mid speed and high-revving power. The current R125 also uses VVA and is Euro 5 compliant. It delivers the same 15 hp as the CB125R and GSX-R125.
The YZF-R15 India spec is equipped with a gorgeous Φ37mm inverted fork. These are paired with 2-pot calipers and a single Φ282mm disc. ABS is independently controlled front and rear.
While the CB125R and GSX-R125 have steel swingarms, the R15 is made of lightweight aluminum. The TRACTION CONTROL and quick shifter are also unique weapons of the R15. The photo shows R15 India spec.
The top bridge of the YZF-R15 India spec is a meatless type similar to the YZF-R25/3. It is inspired by the YZR-M1 MotoGP machine.
The meter is a racy type equipped with a bar graph tacho. Shift timing lamps at the top and lap times at the bottom can also be displayed. Photo shows YZF-R15 India spec.
YZF-R25 has just undergone a model change; will it remain the status quo for the time being?
The YZF-R25, on the other hand, has just been updated for the 2022 model year to comply with Japan's 2020 emission regulations. For the time being, the YZF-R25 will continue to have a twin-lens face and will be differentiated from the mono-eye YZF-R15/R125.
Competition in the 250 class has become even more intense in recent years. For the 2023 model year, a new version of the ZX-25RR will be added to the four-cylinder Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R, and the Honda CBR250RR will gain 1 hp more, a traction controller, and the first ducted wing in its class. Yamaha probably considered it more urgent to enhance the 125-150cc class than to compete with these rivals.
In any case, it is certain that the YZF-R series will be developed vertically, with a model for each displacement band.
Furthermore, in the small-displacement band, machines of various genres using a common platform will be developed horizontally. From 2023 onward, Yamaha is sure to launch a counterattack.
Note that Indonesia, where the YZF-R25 is produced, has a lineup of the WR155R, an off-road model that uses the same liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine as the new YZF-R15. Currently, there are no full-scale off-road models in the 125cc and 150cc classes produced in Japan. If this model is introduced in Japan, it is expected to be a big hit.
The Japan version of the YZF-R25 will adopt inverted forks and other features starting with the 2019 model year. The 2022 model complies with the 2020 emission regulations. Sales will continue with this twin-lens face.
2020 WR155R Indonesian spec. It is equipped with a double cradle frame and aluminum-rimmed 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels. The front is an inverted-style 41mm-diameter upright fork.