Yamaha India has updated its 150cc sports bike offering, the YZF R15 Version 3.0, with dual-channel ABS. The addition of new safety tech has resulted in a price hike of Rs 12,000 due to which the motorcycle now retails at Rs 1.39 lakhs ex-showroom, Mumbai. Around the same price range, we have listed two other motorcycles who also need to be considered before committing to a buy. Here’s the list:
Bajaj Pulsar RS 200
In the fully-faired body style, the closest competitor to the R15 V3 is the Pulsar RS 200 which retails at Rs 1.38 lakhs. Bajaj offers the RS 200 with the only single-channel ABS with RLP (Rear wheel Lift off Protection). The bike is powered by a 199.5cc single-pot liquid-cooled motor derived from the 200 Duke that is capable of producing 24.5bhp at 9750rpm and 18.6Nm at 8000rpm. The motor comes mated to a 6-speed constant mesh gearbox. If you’re considering the Pulsar RS 200, what you do get is a more powerful motor mounted onto a steel perimeter frame, Nitrox mono shock absorber for the rear suspension, projector headlamps and Bajaj’s patented triple sparkplug ignition technology. On the other hand, the R15 V3 ABS offers dual-channel ABS, LED headlamps, Yamaha’s Deltabox frame and a link type monoshock for the rear suspension.
KTM 200 Duke
Now, if you are willing to extend your budget by 20k, you can also consider KTM’s street bike offering, the 200 Duke, which currently retails at Rs 1.59 lakhs. The motorcycle is powered by a 199.5cc single-pot liquid-cooled motor with DOHC (Dual OverHead Cam) that is capable of producing 24.6bhp at 10,000rpm and 19.2Nm at 8000rpm. Transmission duties are handled by a 6-speed constant mesh gearbox. KTM recently upgraded the 200 Duke with single-channel ABS for the front and RLP (Rear wheel Lift off Protection) to prevent the rear from lifting under heavy braking. The added premium for the Duke also ensures a powerful motor, light-weight trellis frame, WP suspension units at both ends and Bybre 4-pot monobloc caliper up front and a single-piston caliper for the rear. The 200 Duke is a superior offering and it offers more premium cycle parts than the R15 V3, except for the dual-channel ABS feature.
All prices are ex-showroom, Mumbai.
