Yamaha MT-15 registered 3,823 units in April 2019 following up a good debut month with over 5,200 units
Yamaha Motor India launched the MT-15 in mid-March 2019 as the naked streetfighter takes on the likes of KTM Duke 125, TVS Apache RTR 200 4V and Bajaj Pulsar 200. Its pricing of Rs. 1.36 lakh (ex-showroom) did raise eyebrows though as there are other obvious options available even from the Yamaha’s lineup.
The MT-15 costs just Rs. 3,000 cheaper than the fully-faired YZF-R15 V3 while the FZ25 appears to be a far better option considering the pricing. However, the first sales month of the MT-15 proved otherwise as 5,203 units were dispatched in March 2019. Yamaha endured 10.2 per cent overall negative sales growth last month.
The Japanese manufacturer faced YoY across its entire portfolio in April 2019 as FZ25 saw 48 per cent sales decline and the R15 at 18 per cent. The sales of R15 were reinvigorated when the V3.0 debuted at the 2018 Auto Expo in February 2018. Last month, 4,975 units were retailed against 6,034 units in the same month in 2018 with 18 per cent de-growth.
The arrival of the MT-15 (3,823 units in April) could have impacted the R15 V3.0’s sales a little bit but the overall downward trend in the industry has to be taken into account as well. The MT-15 uses the same powertrain as the R15 V3.0 along with sharing several other mechanical components to keep the costs in check.
The 155 cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled SOHC fuel-injected engine with VVA (Variable Valve Actuation) technology develops a maximum power output of 19.1 bhp at 10,000 rpm and 14.7 Nm of peak torque delivered at 8,500 rpm, and is mated to a six-speed transmission with slipper clutch as standard.
The Yamaha MT-15 derives design influence from the bigger MT siblings and has a sharp styling philosophy. It comes equipped with a box type swingarm alongside traditional telescopic forks and a monoshock rear. It will be interesting to see where the MT-15 stands in terms of sales volume in the coming months.