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Re: Yamaha MT 15
Even though this bike is seeing nice sales figures, this does not seem to reflect on xbhp..
Sharing my experience with the MT so far from the perspective of owning the R15 V3 for some time. This probably may be useful for somebody who is looking to choose between the two -
They say the grass is always greener on the other side, especially true in this case, where the engine is gold, the handling could never be better, but you wish that the ergo’s were a little friendlier on your ageing back and hands *eyes the MT* this is it!. This is Yamaha’s answer to people who complain about the aggressive ergos on the V3.
so, you notice a couple of things on the MT other than posture - primarily, the switchgear – especially the switch of the indicator and the horn, it’s just very hard to get used to, sometimes you just end up not indicating because you can’t get to the button in time, which is not a good position to be in. the R15 on the other hand, has normal switchgear where everything is in the right place. The inverted display seems cool and all with the theme of the dark side of japan, but the white display has a charm of its own.
The MT has a hard seat similar to the V3, having a pillion is probably going to be difficult on the MT if you have a laptop with you, I know for sure, that it is hell on the V3 especially. Not going to go into details, but am going to leave it at jewelry if you know what I mean.
Build quality – While the plastics are still very easily scratched, there is an improvement here on the MT compared to the V3, the plastics do not creak on the MT, they feel more rigid to the touch – especially the tank and the midsection of the bike. Those grab rails look pretty unique and are functional as well.
Engine – Same old VVA equipped, liquid cooled, fuel injected 155. It is the perfect engine for the city. Very tractable and you can’t stall it even if you wanted to. Same as the V3, the main difference is the larger sprocket at the rear. It feels quicker, is more fun to ride in the city there is a little pull that you feel when you go aggressive on the throttle that puts a little smile on your face.
There is one sweet spot at 4.5k rpm where you end up at 55 to 60 kph and another at 6.5k rpm – 80 to 85 kph where there are no vibrations whatsoever, you can sit on these speeds all day either in the city or the highway, which is perfect for a 150 cc bike, you do feel the minor difference in acceleration when the VVA kicks in at 7k rpm, the engine becomes more eager to accelerate giving you some confidence to quickly pull off some overtakes. Main difference when comparing the MT and the R15 here is that because of the larger sprocket, the engine feels busier at higher revs and the front end feels a little jittery at 100 kph+
The R15 on the other hand feels planted at triple digits, the sprocket setup on the V3, makes you feel at home at 7k RPM+, the aerodynamics that come with the looks helps keep you comfortable at triple digits.
Handling – While the V3 has an ultra-aggressive seating posture that gives you laser focused control over machine that gives you a level of confidence that you can’t get on many bikes, you sacrifice that to look at the sky and the trees on the MT, which your neck and back greatly appreciates. In all seriousness though, I have this routine on a right handed u turn on a flyover where I try to hold a line with some speed every-time I get to ride there. I attempted this turn with a similar approach as I always do, and the MT held the line, same as the V3. The key difference is there just was more intensity when you attempt the same on the V3, you know you can make it on the V3, and there’s a little bit of a doubt that creeps in on the MT, but for basic every-day situations the bike is a very good handler, real nimble, the light weight helps.
Overall it is a pretty good bike, doesn’t have some features of its faired sister, but you barely miss that swingarm, you don’t get a nice fairing, but the MT has pretty unique looks, the headlight and parking light setup sets the MT apart from any other bike in the segment. I wish there were more power on offer, No, not that 250 on the FZ25 – but the same VVA setup on a 250cc, would sure be nice. But thinking practically, you get commuter class mileage on the 155’s, which is great considering the price of petrol these days.
Will add some nice pictures someday.
Even though this bike is seeing nice sales figures, this does not seem to reflect on xbhp..
Sharing my experience with the MT so far from the perspective of owning the R15 V3 for some time. This probably may be useful for somebody who is looking to choose between the two -
They say the grass is always greener on the other side, especially true in this case, where the engine is gold, the handling could never be better, but you wish that the ergo’s were a little friendlier on your ageing back and hands *eyes the MT* this is it!. This is Yamaha’s answer to people who complain about the aggressive ergos on the V3.
so, you notice a couple of things on the MT other than posture - primarily, the switchgear – especially the switch of the indicator and the horn, it’s just very hard to get used to, sometimes you just end up not indicating because you can’t get to the button in time, which is not a good position to be in. the R15 on the other hand, has normal switchgear where everything is in the right place. The inverted display seems cool and all with the theme of the dark side of japan, but the white display has a charm of its own.
The MT has a hard seat similar to the V3, having a pillion is probably going to be difficult on the MT if you have a laptop with you, I know for sure, that it is hell on the V3 especially. Not going to go into details, but am going to leave it at jewelry if you know what I mean.
Build quality – While the plastics are still very easily scratched, there is an improvement here on the MT compared to the V3, the plastics do not creak on the MT, they feel more rigid to the touch – especially the tank and the midsection of the bike. Those grab rails look pretty unique and are functional as well.
Engine – Same old VVA equipped, liquid cooled, fuel injected 155. It is the perfect engine for the city. Very tractable and you can’t stall it even if you wanted to. Same as the V3, the main difference is the larger sprocket at the rear. It feels quicker, is more fun to ride in the city there is a little pull that you feel when you go aggressive on the throttle that puts a little smile on your face.
There is one sweet spot at 4.5k rpm where you end up at 55 to 60 kph and another at 6.5k rpm – 80 to 85 kph where there are no vibrations whatsoever, you can sit on these speeds all day either in the city or the highway, which is perfect for a 150 cc bike, you do feel the minor difference in acceleration when the VVA kicks in at 7k rpm, the engine becomes more eager to accelerate giving you some confidence to quickly pull off some overtakes. Main difference when comparing the MT and the R15 here is that because of the larger sprocket, the engine feels busier at higher revs and the front end feels a little jittery at 100 kph+
The R15 on the other hand feels planted at triple digits, the sprocket setup on the V3, makes you feel at home at 7k RPM+, the aerodynamics that come with the looks helps keep you comfortable at triple digits.
Handling – While the V3 has an ultra-aggressive seating posture that gives you laser focused control over machine that gives you a level of confidence that you can’t get on many bikes, you sacrifice that to look at the sky and the trees on the MT, which your neck and back greatly appreciates. In all seriousness though, I have this routine on a right handed u turn on a flyover where I try to hold a line with some speed every-time I get to ride there. I attempted this turn with a similar approach as I always do, and the MT held the line, same as the V3. The key difference is there just was more intensity when you attempt the same on the V3, you know you can make it on the V3, and there’s a little bit of a doubt that creeps in on the MT, but for basic every-day situations the bike is a very good handler, real nimble, the light weight helps.
Overall it is a pretty good bike, doesn’t have some features of its faired sister, but you barely miss that swingarm, you don’t get a nice fairing, but the MT has pretty unique looks, the headlight and parking light setup sets the MT apart from any other bike in the segment. I wish there were more power on offer, No, not that 250 on the FZ25 – but the same VVA setup on a 250cc, would sure be nice. But thinking practically, you get commuter class mileage on the 155’s, which is great considering the price of petrol these days.
Will add some nice pictures someday.
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