It has been announced that the Yamaha YZF-R15 will be exhibited at the Motorcycle Show as a production model. What is of interest is how the YZF-R15 will be separated from the YZF-R25, which has the same standard driver's license and is in the light 2-wheel class.
I would like to introduce the Japanese version of the YZF-R15, as well as an outline of its specifications.
YZF-R15 chassis is more luxurious than YZF-R25
The Yamaha YZF-R15 has been available in overseas markets such as India since 2008, and this model will finally be introduced in Japan as part of the official lineup. The expected launch date is July or later, and starting this year, there will be a choice of the YZF-R25 and YZF-R15 in the 250cc class, which does not require vehicle inspections.
First, the major difference between the two motorcycles is that the engines differ in the number of cylinders and displacement by about 100 cc, with the parallel two-cylinder 249 cc engine and the single-cylinder 155 cc engine. The maximum power output will be 35 PS for the R25, while the R15 will have a spec of 18.4 to 19.3 PS, a difference of more than 15 PS, and there will be a large gap in driving performance.
On the other hand, the chassis of the YZF-R15 is a luxurious twin-tube steel delta box compared to the steel tubular frame of the YZF-R25. The R15's swingarm is also made of lightweight aluminum, compared to the R25's steel swingarm, and it is equipped with a linkage not found on the R25, which may work to its advantage in certain situations.
Both have 37mm-diameter inverted forks, and the brakes are evenly equipped with axial-mounted 2-pot calipers + a single disc. The R25 has a 298mm-diameter disc and the R15 has a 282mm-diameter disc, so the R25 is likely to have more stopping power.
The rear discs are both 220mm in diameter.
YZF-R15 India spec [YAMAHA] Announced in September 2021, this is the fourth generation of the YZF-R15 and is locally named version 4.0. Indonesian and Thai specifications also exist, but the country of production for Japan is unknown.
YZF-R25 Japan Specs [YAMAHA] The 2023 model released in February has only color changes.
It retained the twin-lens headlight from 2019. The biggest difference between the two vehicles will be in their styling.
The YZF-R15's engine is a liquid-cooled single-cylinder SOHC 4-valve unit, which is also used in the 125cc model. The intake system is FI and is equipped with a variable valve VVA mechanism from 2017.
The YZF-R15 Indonesian-spec VVA operates at 7400 rpm. The cam for low speed and the cam for high speed is switched to combine two output characteristics in one engine.
The YZF-R25's engine is a liquid-cooled, parallel twin-cylinder DOHC 4-valve unit, which is also used in the 320cc model. The latest model complies with Japan's 2020 emission regulations.
The chassis of the YZF-R15 uses Yamaha's traditional delta box frame. It is made of steel, which does not contribute to weight reduction, but makes it a racy piece of equipment.
The YZF-R25 uses a tubular steel diamond frame. The front tires are slightly wider (110 mm on the R25 compared to 100 mm on the R15), while the rear tires are the same size, both 140 mm wide.
YZF-R15's meter is identical to the Indonesian version; what equipment does the YZF-R125 have?
The YZF-R15 platform is also used on the European YZF-R125, and the European R125 series has a more luxurious suspension with 41mm-diameter forks and radial-mount calipers in the front. However, the Japanese version of the YZF-R125 uses the same suspension as the YZF-R15.
In addition, while the meter differs in each destination, the Japanese version will not adopt the TFT color meter newly adopted by the European YZF-R125 and other models, as its shape is consistent with that of the Indonesian version. Details such as smartphone connectivity will be revealed at the time of the official launch.
Other points of interest include whether traction control and quick shifter equipment will be introduced for the Japanese version. We know that the chassis and suspension of the Japanese-spec YZF-R125 and YZF-R15 are identical, so we can assume that they will be equipped with the same electronic controls, but who knows?
I will keep you posted as soon as we get further information.
YZF-R15 Japan Specifications [YAMAHA] The higher grade YZF-R15M, which is lined up in the Asian region, is not present in the photos released by Yamaha. The color variations can be seen in blue and black.
YZF-R125 Japan Spec (left) [YAMAHA] Unlike the European YZF-R125, this model uses the same suspension as the R15. From the photo, it looks like an Akrapovic exhaust system, tail tidy kit, and engine guard will also be available.
The YZF-R15 Japan-Spec meter can be seen from the video to have the same shape as the YZF-R15 Indonesian-spec meter. The YZF-R15M is larger, and the European YZF-R125 uses a TFT color meter.
This is the YZF-R15 Indonesia-spec LCD meter. Not only does it display a bar graph tachometer and gear position indicator, but it also connects to a smartphone to display the status of incoming calls. It can also be linked to an app.
Traction control, which cuts driving force and restores grip when it detects rear wheel slip, is used starting with the 2022 YZF-R15. It is expected to be introduced in the Japanese version.
The quick shifter, which allows the rider to upshift without using the clutch while keeping the accelerator pedal open, is standard equipment on the high-end version of the YZF-R15M. The standard version of the R15 is not equipped, while the European version of the R125 has it as an option.
India Main Specifications of the 2022 YZF-R15 (for reference)
Overall Length x Overall Width x Overall Height: 1990 x 725 x 1135mm
Wheelbase: 1325mm
Seat height: 815mm
Weight: 141【137】kg
Engine: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder SOHC 4-valve 155【155.9】cc
Maximum output: 18.4【19.3】PS at 10000 rpm
Maximum torque: 1.4【1.49】kg-m/7500【8500】rpm
Fuel tank capacity: 11 liters
Transmission: 6-speed return
Brakes: F=disc, R=disc
Tires: F=100/80-17, R=140/70R17 [140/70-17
Indonesian specifications are shown in【 】.
Japan Main Specifications of the 2023 YZF-R25
Overall Length x Overall Width x Overall Height: 2090 x 730 x 1140mm
Wheelbase: 1380mm
Seat height: 780mm
Vehicle weight: 169 kg
Engine: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke, in-line 2-cylinder, DOHC 4-valve, 249cc
Maximum output: 35 PS at 12,000 rpm
Maximum torque: 2.3 kg-m/10000 rpm
Fuel tank capacity: 14 liters
Transmission: 6-speed return
Brakes: F=disc, R=disc
Tires: F=110/70-17, R=140/70-17
Price (approx.): 5145 USD
