2020 Yamaha YZF-R15 V3.0 Review - More value, style & performance

[@lovemyself3643]

This little beast can reach 157kmph

[@MotoJournoKris]

It's ridiculous how much performance they managed to wring out of it!

[@johnnyyylrcha2646]

159 done

[@Vishnu-lp5fp]

165+kmph...💥💥

[@LiloUkulele]

Just a nice bike for a beginner. I learned on a Honda 125 putt-putt; for my first bike I looked at the R3 but was a little intimidated by the weight and power. The R15 is such a friendly bike, confidence-building machine. I'm 190 cm tall & 85kg so the higher seat works to my advantage. Still breaking it in so not redlining it yet...the wife and daughter are both eying the bike and want to learn how to ride...when I'm ready to move up I'm sure I will be passing it down to them. Great Review!!!...Your review gave me the confidence to pull the trigger and buy my first bike...couldn't be happier! Cheers from Mexico!

[@MotoJournoKris]

Nice stuff, I'm glad to hear it was of help! I think people get stuck on the small capacity, but it really is a great machine, and definitely an ideal one to hand down to others in the family to learn on.

[@niteshvishwakarma6709]

If you ride between 80-100kmph in 6th gear it will provide you 56kmpl mileage, and on performance side you can reach upto 158 kmph

[@FieldOfDaisies2468]

I just got my L’s and just picked up a 2021 to learn on. Only had 3000km so still feels like a new bike. I’m excited 😁

[@MotoJournoKris]

Wicked, how are you finding it?

[@FieldOfDaisies2468]

@@MotoJournoKris Love it! I was so nervous to ride but once I got on it, the nerves (mostly) went. Can’t wait to take my RE :)

[@stevesanelli90]

Well reviewed MJK! It would make for a great little learner bike & yes, shame about no ABS. Great work & am glad you enjoyed it.🇦🇺👌🥇

[@MotoJournoKris]

Cheers! Testing this one was a heap of fun, and I did go in wondering what I'd think of the performance, but was very impressed and shouldn't have worried.

[@nikitis13]

9:20 Here they go again... I'm sure we've all count lost count of the times we've witnessed brush turkey's crossing double unbroken centre lines.

[@MotoJournoKris]

Yea it's a bad spot through there. There's not a heap of vision and I've also seen a few drivers slam on the brakes when they spot a cyclist they aren't confident to go around, or even worse try and overtake them into the blind corners over the line. Also a nice set of corners signposted to 80, which I think most riders want to be able to enjoy at that speed.

[@dadsaccount8354]

I was thinking to go to Yamaha dealership tomorrow to check on MT03, now I really want to try this R15. I'm 165cm so I think R15 would give me better ergonomics and handling. Good job on the review!

[@MotoJournoKris]

I'd definitely check it out, I honestly would go the R15 V3 over a 300-400 cc sportsbike these days, I just loved the bike and while you do need to ride it hard to get the most out of it, that's part of the fun!

[@dadsaccount8354]

@@MotoJournoKris I checked it yesterday mate, but the dealer guy doesn't recommend this this bike for some reason. Weird, thought he wants the sales.

[@MotoJournoKris]

@@dadsaccount8354 I can't imagine there's much margin in them to be honest.

[@rorystibbs5164]

Great lil bike that can be sporty in back streets and happy cruising on the hwy thats great on fuel

[@MotoJournoKris]

That's what impressed me particularly, great fuel economy and totally highway viable, in a 155 cc!

[@florme6494]

Nice Kris, sounds like an awesome little fun bike. Love how you can go up to 140. Way better than my little Monkey. Small capacity bikes are so much fun due to the light weight and engaging nature of having to shift to make it work. Hmmm might be on my shopping list.

[@MotoJournoKris]

Absolutely, it's a great combo. Those Monkeys are very cool too, they seem like they'll be a collectable in years to come, although they may just produce a million of them if they are successful enough!

[@felipe-nt-d]

Such a cool little bike!!! It would be a great bike to commute in the urban area where I live, not to mention it can be also a great bike to learn how to ride a sports bike until you have enough experience to upgrade to a bigger bike.

[@MotoJournoKris]

Definitely, that's what I think is so great, it's an ideal urban bike, but it also has the top speed that you won't feel limited at any legal or near legal speed, then once you outgrow it you'll be ready for a nice step up to something more powerful. Or it'll be cheap enough to run you could keep it as a commuter or run-around.

[@spencerfernandes4617]

In my country this bike comes with dual channel ABS as standard & a lot more upgrades...nice vid thou👍🏼

[@MotoJournoKris]

I think we got a more basic version to keep the price down, but ABS is always nice for uncertain road conditions.

[@sadmanrahmanashiq8802]

Actually the ABS version is cheaper 😂

[@JurAdiomura]

Yamaha R15v3 good looking 👍

[@MotoJournoKris]

They are very cool machines!

[@joydeepbhattacharjee2559]

This is an Indian version R15 v3 which comes with dual channel abs But there is also two varients of this bike which basically known as Indonesian and thai version both comes with USD fork in the front but both are non ABS but also have some good graphic which is kind of better then Indian version

[@MotoJournoKris]

Yep there's a bit of variance in what markets get what version. Would be cool to get the USD fork version!

[@j-brennan4197]

Thanks heaps on the video, you really helped picking my first bike I’ll be picking it up this weekend I’m also on the central coast so not to far from you :)

[@MotoJournoKris]

Awesome and congrats on the first bike! You've got some great riding roads to explore!

[@himalayan8315]

Was it what you expected?

[@SludgedB]

I am a returning rider and have an MT09 as my first (in recent years) bike. Sometimes I think I should’ve got one of these because I had an excuse to start small again.

[@MotoJournoKris]

Definitely something cool about the really little bikes like these, but the MT-09 is a weapon too!

[@jayarbangero3535]

Great review! Making me more excited in getting it, planning to get it next month maybe :)

[@MotoJournoKris]

Nice stuff, they are a seriously cool machine!

[@Johnroluahkima]

This bike is our national bike in India 😂

[@MotoJournoKris]

No wonder, it's great!

[@wallingnaga6563]

😂😂 True

[@todd_vincy4710]

national bike LMAO

[@macavmoudbhawanxutra876]

I own one. XD

[@mosharafshahid1640]

Also Bangladesh

[@jazztheboxer258]

Just put a deposit on one today and this review was certainly a big help. Keep up the good work (took me ages to cotton on to the fact you're the guy in the Suzuki Vstrom 250 review I watched a million times)

[@MotoJournoKris]

Glad to be of help!

[@florme6494]

Jazz TheBoxer I’d be interested to hear your thoughts after owning one for a while?

[@jazztheboxer258]

@@florme6494 I'm still on my Learners at the moment and only have taken it out for a couple of rides and this is my first motorcycle. Here's my opinion for what it's worth I'm 107kg. The bike is easily going to fulfill my expectations as a commuter bike. From the lights it very quickly gets up to speed and only a committed driver in a car designed for speed will beat you (in other words most cars will be left behind). I found it easy to exceed the speed limit on suburban streets without meaning to. I can't talk about highway speeds (remember I'm an overweight guy) as I've only been on 80 zones (the R15 gets to that speed quick. LOL but my comparison car is a Suzuki Jimny) It really is early days but I'm happy with my choice. It was less than $5,000 for a brand new 6 speed Yamaha with 2 years warranty. Hard to go wrong with that.

[@florme6494]

Jazz TheBoxer thank you for the reply, I really appreciate it. I’m an experienced rider and I’m looking for a small light weight, ultimate lane splitting, engaging bike (love going through the gears and making it work), and can handle the freeway. It needs to keep up with traffic which both you and Kris have said it definitely does. How are you finding the comfort? Mainly seat and the weight put on the wrists? I need it to do absolute max 2 hour rides in semi comfort. 20min freeway and then filtering through Sydney traffic.

[@jazztheboxer258]

@@florme6494 The first guy to supervise me told me he rides with a lady who had the R15 V2 theoretically definitely not in Australia to 140km:hr but he said she's 60 odd kg. I'm 175cm tall and can get both feet on the ground (wearing boots). I ride how Kris is sitting at 10:03 in this video / 1:28 in the "is the Yamaha R15 V3 a Grom killer?" and so far I haven't found the seat uncomfortable nor pain in the wrists. One thing I checked is that I can turn the handlebars full lock without them hitting my knee (I saw a video of a guy dropping his bike due to that). On my commutes (by car) I can see how my R15 would easily be able to filter in Brisbane traffic and leave the cars for dead at the lights. One comment I kept on coming across when researching this bike is "It's better to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow". To me, the R15 is fast but my sample size of bikes is 1.

[@dochardiksolanki]

My insurance quote for 2014 R12 v2.0 was $12, it was a fun and more than enough motorcycle for everything! My only issue why I sold my 2.0 and got RC 390 was the 2.0 MRF tyre compound is very well suited to sporty dry riding but not sticky enough on wet victorian roads due to the tendency to lock brakes and go for skid without the ABS. It's hard to get a decent replacement for the 90/80-17" front other than MRF. If 3.0 came with ABS, I would sell my RC 390 in a heartbeat!

[@MotoJournoKris]

Yep, amazing value really for all the on-road costs. Hopefully the new front wheel/tyre size may make for options, but ABS would always be welcome.

[@liloukulele5238]

Thank you for a great review. I have read that the ride angle is more aggressive than the R3 with a higher seat height. As a new rider, buying my first bike I am on the fence between the the R15 & the R3. I am 190cm tall & 85 kg. Most of my riding will be street riding (in Mexico) lots of traffic and lousy roads but we do have a well maintained hi speed toll road that runs along the pacific ocean...and is never crowed...for fun high speed sport riding. I have been riding a Honda 125 cargo with my teacher for the last 2 months. Seems the R15 is a less intimating bike than the R3 weight-wise...Thoughts?

[@MotoJournoKris]

The R15 is probably a bit more purist as far as the ergonomics of a sportsbike, and I'd probably say the taller seat but lighter weight makes it similar to the R3 as far as handling the bike. Plus you will be revving it a lot harder than even an R3 to get the most out of it, which can be great fun. But the R3 does have significantly more torque. It would be worth sitting on both and seeing what feels better.

[@sameerabdullah6519]

Noone calls the R15 as R15

[@liloukulele5238]

SOLD!

[@xfactor5326]

& Its Fuel Consumption is 50 KMPL so Enjoy.

[@MotoJournoKris]

Yep it's ridiculously good!

[@akashshrestha01]

Great review

[@demon6937]

the ABS version I saw now is R15M but this is a premium for a 155cc bike, I wonder if the regular R15 v4 will have ABS

[@MotoJournoKris]

I know the ABS is mandatory in more markets these days, and with these smaller capacity machines it can seem to vary as to what inclusions there are, different places in the world.

[@demon6937]

@@MotoJournoKris yes, I wish it is mandatory in the Philippines. even if I'm not a motorist I appreciate the technology behind ABS

[@MotoJournoKris]

@@demon6937 Definitely better to have it and never use it, than need it once! It shouldn't really be that much to add to bikes these days either, certainly not the old $500 premium.

[@marcusgeorge1825]

Great review Kris! Tyre sizes? You mentioned it has a slightly bigger tyre? Will the rim width still allow a smaller, sharper tyre for improvement to its flick ability?

[@MotoJournoKris]

They're fitted with a 100/80-17 and 140/70-17 now, compared to the old V2 running a 90/80-17 and 130/70-17, and the new rims are 17 x 2.5-in (f) and 17 x 4.0 inch (r) which should give some greater flexibility in tyre choice. Looking at a compatibility chart it looks like you could run a 100/90 front and 140/80 rear, which may be a bit more aggressive.

[@marcusgeorge1825]

Moto Journo Kris 🤔 Increasing the tyres side wall heights will actually reduce the flick ability and overall potential lean angle. Best to always stick with the specified tyre size. The key is finding the right tyre brand/model that is fit for your own individual tastes. That being said, as this bike is Cleary targeted at the young and inexperienced rider they won’t know the difference anyway. Unless they’ve actually raced or at the very least done a heap of track days...

[@Ryannegative35]

Made in india amazing bike

[@Ryannegative35]

Over here we get it with abs and slip and assist clutch

[@MotoJournoKris]

@@Ryannegative35 That's wicked, they really are such a little ripper. I think the small capacity puts people off here in Australia where 300-400 is more the norm now, which is unfortunate. They really are great.

[@chiki2211]

Hi Kris, I am 164cm height. Do you think it will be comfortable for me to ride compare with R3? I'm still learner as well. What do you think R3 or this R15 V3. Thank you.

[@MotoJournoKris]

The R15 is very light, which really helps, but the seat is quite a bit taller. I'd definitely see if you're comfortable getting a foot down on the R15, as that extra 25 mm of seat height could be the difference between comfortable and finding it a bit of a stretch.

[@Devilmaycry4thewin]

Nice video man! Just curious, is it alright to ride with the rpm up high like that? Like does it significantly increase the wear and tear on the engine? Looking for a sporty commuter that will last quite a few years. Also I know that road, it's a great windy path :)

[@MotoJournoKris]

Good question! The R15s have proven very reliable thus far from everything I've seen and nothing seems to have changed with the latest version. Yamaha also have one of the best reputations for reliability too. There shouldn't be any concerns using the full rev range either (unless you're just bouncing it off the limiter constantly) as that's what they are designed for, especially these smaller machines where you really need to use the entire rev range to appreciate the power. With so many bigger and more powerful machines it's easy to get used to only using a relatively small portion of the performance on offer, which to be fair tends to feel very smooth compared to revving a bike out fully. The R15 in particular is not a machine I'd baby in any way or try and keep the revs down.

[@Devilmaycry4thewin]

@@MotoJournoKris awesome thanks, I ended up getting the bike because it was just great to sit on, and for that price it was pretty good. Rode it a lot today even though it rained a little. great bike, loving it so far and can't wait to see how it handles in the future. Thanks again for the great vid.

[@jamesmarkodevilas3346]

Here in philippines, it has a inverted front shock

[@MotoJournoKris]

Lucky! I know a lot of people in the markets which don't get the USD fork version were disappointed.

[@abhimanyus8725]

This bike got too many fans in India And I own one racing blue colour And the real power is unleashed when VVA activates

[@MotoJournoKris]

They are great aren't they!

[@sabyasachiroy7482]

VVA kicked in yooo!!!

[@manavsahu8908]

It goes till 158 km/hr I have the same bike you should try it

[@MotoJournoKris]

The top speed on these is insane for a little 155cc!

[@meizunote5113]

I think the handle bar in your country is a bit raised as compared to that in India. Because it has somewhat more aggressive riding stance here.

[@MotoJournoKris]

It's possible, there's a bit of variation between markets and who gets what.

[@JEEPERSAURUS-REX]

What does this Yamaha yzf R15 V3 cost to buy brand new

[@MotoJournoKris]

Here in Australia they are $4,999 ride-away.

[@JEEPERSAURUS-REX]

@@MotoJournoKris thanks for replying

[@jothamdaledejesus2708]

If possible, can u do a review of the new R-15m which is the same bike with better looking plastic haha. Thanks in advance.

[@MotoJournoKris]

I'm not sure if we've got that one here yet, but I'll see if I can find out. I loved testing this bike so would always be keen to do so again.

[@jothamdaledejesus2708]

@@MotoJournoKris I was browsing the yamaha AU site a few days back and found that the r15m is available for my23. Tried posting the link but my replies and comments with the link keep getting deleted. I might grab one for my first bike 👀.

[@MotoJournoKris]

@@jothamdaledejesus2708 Yea I think KZbin auto removes them as I can't even see them for some reason. I noticed Trooper Lu's had one up on socials the other day and meant to check it out. It looks like a weapon, and I thought this V3 was amazing, so the extras would be really nice.

[@patho-9327]

Cool bike but it suck knowing it not available in the U.S 😖

[@MotoJournoKris]

That is annoying! I reckon it would appeal to the Honda Grom crowd, if they also like sportier machines.

[@silentshift444]

alternative bike for a honda grom i guess?

[@MotoJournoKris]

Definitely, and it's got a lot more top end than the Grom. It doesn't have that quirkier style of the Grom, but obviously the supersport style will be a winner for some people!

[@SaiSrinivasDande]

How much you are paying for rego yearly? As I have v1 is too cheap and now it’s over 150!

[@MotoJournoKris]

I just had the R15 V3 for a few weeks to test, so I'm not sure on the exact rego costs. I think I pay about $150 for the Ninja 400, DRZ400E and Daytona each, and it was the same with my wife's 250 cc scooter a number of years ago. Green slip pricing is lower if you're under maybe 226 cc here in NSW, so the R15 benefits from that, but it jumps up a fair bit after 726 cc, 1126cc and 1325 cc. But they changed the green slip system back in 2010, so that's not recent.

[@aravindaravi3561]

My height is 6.2. Is comfortable fr me

[@MotoJournoKris]

Thanks for sharing, good to know it suits larger riders as well!

[@NeighborhoodOppa]

9:19 my worst nightmare scenarious .

[@MotoJournoKris]

Tell me about it! I wasn't too impressed with that driver!!!

[@divyanshusahu7931]

Price ?

[@MotoJournoKris]

These are $4,999 ride-away here in Australia.

[@psychopeoples4384]

Its cost 6000 Usd in my country😔

[@MotoJournoKris]

That's a bit on the pricey side, it always sucks when there's a big difference in pricing between countries.

[@LiloUkulele]

$3,990 here in Northern Mexico

[@MotoJournoKris]

Nice, how does that compare to the competition price wise?

[@LiloUkulele]

@@MotoJournoKris I got on the Yamaha.Mx web site and they list the price..they are selling new 20, 21 & 2022 R models....that includes sales tax which is rather high in Mexico (16%)..I will be going to the local dealer in the next week or so...so we'll see how true the advertising is (fingers crossed)

[@Cyl_9547]

How about R15 V4M🥹

[@MotoJournoKris]

The V4.0 M looks awesome, it's pretty crazy what's included on them now really.

[@Cyl_9547]

Thanks for your answer and I will continue to follow your channel.👍

[@joshisajedi2461]

$5000 for a 155cc?!

[@MotoJournoKris]

Slightly more than a Grom, and no one seems to think twice at their pricing.

[@maysonfanai4132]

Its R one five Not fifteen

[@wargolemx102]

LOL who put the standards on that?

[@IsaiahOfficial34]

No but its make in yamaha so us