Yamaha R15 V5 Review: The King of 155cc Returns

Let’s be honest—in the Indian market, no bike has held a cult status quite like the “R One Five”. It taught an entire generation of Indians how to scrape knees on corners. Now, in 2026, Yamaha has dropped the R15 V5, and the question on everyone’s mind is: Is it just a sticker job, or a genuine upgrade?

With an Ex-showroom price starting around ₹1.96 Lakh, it’s inching dangerously close to the 250cc territory. I took this “Baby R1” for a spin across Mumbai’s traffic and the Lonavala ghats to give you the real picture.

Quick Specs: What’s Under the Fairing?

Before we hit the road, let’s look at the numbers that matter.

Read more: Tesla 2026

Design & Road Presence: Heads Will Turn

The V5 takes the aggressive DNA of the V4 and sharpens it. The front fascia now looks even more like its big brother, the Yamaha R7.

• The Eyes: The central LED projector is flanked by sharper, meaner DRLs that look like a predator staring you down.
• Aerodynamics: The fairing has new vents that aren’t just for show—they actually help with engine cooling and stability at high speeds.
• The Tail: The aerodynamic “tunnel” in the tail section is pure MotoGP inspiration.

Does it grab attention? Absolutely. At every traffic signal, people ask, “Bhai, kaunsi bike hai?” (Brother, which bike is this?). It looks like a 400cc machine, not a 155cc one.

Features & Console: Tech-Loaded

This is where the V5 justifies the price hike. Yamaha has finally given us a 5-inch TFT Colour Display across all variants (previously limited to the ‘M’ variant).

• Connectivity: The Y-Connect app shows call alerts, SMS, and even phone battery levels on the dash.
• Modes: You get ‘Track’ and ‘Street’ modes. To be honest, they just change the display layout, not the engine performance—but it looks cool!
• The Quickshifter: It comes standard on the top variant. It works flawlessly above 4,000 RPM, letting you bang through gears without closing the throttle. It makes you feel like a racer every time you merge onto a highway.

Engine Performance & Driving Dynamics

City Drive: The Traffic Cutter

The 155cc engine is a gem, but it has a dual personality. Below 6,000 RPM, it’s calm and composed. You can potter around in 4th gear at 40 kmph without the engine knocking. The Assist & Slipper Clutch is feather-light—a blessing in Bangalore or Delhi bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Highway & VVA Kick

The magic happens at 7,400 RPM. That’s when the VVA (Variable Valve Actuation) kicks in. You literally hear the exhaust note change, and the bike pulls hard all the way to the redline (11,000 RPM).

• Cruising Speed: It sits happily at 100-110 kmph.
• Top Speed: I managed to clock 138 kmph on the speedo (tucked in), but realistic cruising is around 110.
• Vibrations: Surprisingly refined. You only feel a slight buzz on the handlebars past 10,000 RPM.

Handling & Suspension

The Gold Upside Down (USD) Forks aren’t just for looks. The front end feel is telepathic. You look at a corner, and the bike is already there. It holds lines so well that it forgives bad rider inputs. However, the suspension is stiff. You will feel every bad patch of road in your spine.

Real World Mileage: The Truth

This is where the R15 V5 destroys its competition. It gives you sports bike fun with commuter bike bills.

• ARAI Claimed: ~55 kmpl
• Real World City: 48-50 kmpl (If ridden sanely)
• Real World Highway: 45 kmpl (At 80-90 kmph cruise)
• Hard Riding: Even if you redline every gear, it rarely drops below 35 kmpl.

The Competition: R15 V5 vs The Rest

We auto-detected the strongest rivals: KTM RC 125 and Hero Karizma XMR.

• Vs KTM RC 125: The R15 smokes it. The RC 125 feels underpowered for nearly the same price.
• Vs Karizma XMR: The Karizma is faster and more comfortable, but it lacks the premium build quality and handling finesse of the Yamaha.

Safety & Build Quality

• Dual Channel ABS: Standard. The braking bite is sharp and progressive.
• Traction Control System (TCS): Yes, it has TCS! Some might say you don’t need TCS on an 18 PS bike, but on wet monsoon roads or gravel, it’s a lifesaver.
• Build: The plastic quality has improved over the V3 and V4, but I still found some panel gaps near the tank.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

The Yamaha R15 V5 is not just a bike; it’s an emotion for Indian college kids and enthusiasts. It is expensive for a 150cc, yes. But you aren’t paying for cc; you are paying for engineering that is 10 years ahead of the competition.

Buy it if:

• You want a track-ready machine that can also handle daily college/office runs.
• Mileage is a priority, but you don’t want a boring commuter bike.
• You love corners and want to improve your riding skills.

Skip it if:

• You have back pain or need a comfortable tourer (The posture is aggressive!).
• You often carry a pillion (The rear seat is essentially a “sky deck”—scary and uncomfortable).
• You want raw straight-line speed (The Karizma or Gixxer 250 are faster).

FAQs (People Also Ask)