Yamaha MT-15 vs YZF-R15 V3.0 - Differences and similarities listed

Yamaha Motor India has launched the new MT-15 in India, and the motorcycle has been priced just INR 3,000 lower than its fully faired sibling, the YZF-R15 V3.0. However, the differences between the two models are more than just the looks. In this post, we list the differences and the similarities between the Yamaha’s latest product in the country, the MT-15 and one of its highest selling models, the YZF-R15 V3.0.

Also read: Yamaha Fascino Darknight Edition launched in India at INR 56,793

Yamaha MT-15 and YZF-R15 V3.0 – The similarities

Both motorcycles are built around the Deltabox frame that is famed for its handling prowess. A performance-spec motor, which propels both the models from Yamaha, complements the Deltabox frame. It's the 155 cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valve engine with fuel injection, in the exact state of tune on both motorcycles, and it delivers a healthy 19.3 PS of maximum power at 10,000 rpm and 14.7 Nm of peak torque at 8,500 rpm. Both, the MT-15 and YZF-R15 V3.0 employ a six-speed gearbox that features assist and slipper clutch.

The view from the rider’s vision features the same instrument console. The digital display on both motorcycles packs a gear position indicator along with shift light on the top. Other data displayed includes speedometer, tachometer, trip meters, odometer and a fuel gauge.

Braking and suspension setup is identical too. Both motorcycles use a 282 mm hydraulic single disc at the front and 220 mm hydraulic single disc at the rear to perform the anchoring tasks although there is a significant difference in the safety net. More on that in the differences part of the post. Telescopic forks (130 mm travel) at the front and a monoshock (97 mm travel) at the rear perform shock absorption duties. The international variants of the MT-15 and the YZF-R15 V3.0 use upside-down telescopic forks, although that's not the case in India, in the name of cost-cutting.

Tyre specifications are also the same, and both motorcycles use a 100/80-17M/C 52P section front and 140/70-17M/C 66H section rear rubber from MRF.

Yamaha MT-15 and YZF-R15 V3.0 – The differences

The list of differences is quite comprehensive too. The dimensions, for example, are completely different and the MT-15 is longer and wider than the YZF-R15. The MT-15 also tips the weighing scale four kilograms lower than the YZF-R15 V3.0 Check out the differences in dimensions in the table below:

The Yamaha YZF-R15 V3.0 is designed for the racetrack, and the taller ground clearance is aimed to give the motorcycle a better lean angle around the corners. The differences in weight, apart from the lower number of body panels on the MT-15, can also be associated with the relatively smaller fuel tank that carries one-litre less fuel on the naked roadster.

The styling cues are worlds apart too. The YZF-R15 V3.0 features a full fairing design, twin-pod LED headlight, clip-on style handlebar and taller seat height. The MT-15, on the other hand, has LED DRLs with projector style headlamp at the front. Being a naked roadster, the MT-15 does not get a fairing of a windscreen, and it uses a flat, single piece handlebar to perform the steering duties for upright ergonomics.

The difference in styling continues on the fuel tank, and the MT-15 draws visual cues from its bigger siblings. The tank shrouds and radiator surrounds add a muscular look to the naked roadster. The saddle on the YZF-R15 V3.0 is a split style unit, while the MT-15 uses a single-piece seat. At the rear, both motorcycles feature a LED tail light although the YZF-R15 V3.0 gets a vertically mounted unit while the MT-15 comes with a conventional, horizontally placed unit.

Also read: Turbocharged Yamaha YZF-R15 hits 180 km/h [Video]

Surprisingly, the safety net on both motorcycles is very different. Contrary to earlier reports, the MT-15 features a single-channel ABS, which is surprising given that the naked roadster retails at just INR 3,000 lower than the YZF-R15 V3.0 that gets a dual-channel unit. For reference, the MT-15 costs INR 1.36 lakh while the YZF-R15 V3.0 ABS retails at INR 1.39 lakh – both ex-showroom Delhi.