2021 was undoubtedly one of the most eventful year in recent history, both in negative and immensely positive occurrences. And in the motorcycle industry, we did get to witness and report some interesting launches globally and in India.
So with only a few days before we enter into 2022, let’s give you a wrapup of the top five most popular news stories of 2021; a year, according to BikeWale data, that was dominated by Yamaha.
2021 Yamaha R15 V3 launched; gets new colours
So let’s start off with the most popular news story that included one of the most popular motorcycles in the country- the Yamaha R15. Now, at the start of the year, the Japanese manufacturer updated the fully-faired, 150cc motorcycle in Indonesia with new colours. These include the Metallic Blue, Matte Black, and Matte Silver with contrasting yellow wheels and highlights. Although apart from the new colours, the 2021 R15 V3 remained the same.
Nevertheless, it was soon replaced by the R15 V4 that was first launched in India with heavy updates. We tested the motorcycle and you can read all about it HERE.
2021 Yamaha MT15 unveiled!
It couldn’t have been a coincidence that the R15-based MT-15 was the second most-viewed news story on BikeWale. Well, the 2021 Yamaha MT-15 made its debut in Thailand, again with new colours. Compared to the model sold in India, the Thai-spec MT-15 received some funky colours like the Metallic Grey that featured red wheels and blue graphics. There also was the Racing Blue and Metallic Black paint schemes on offer.
For India, however, the MT-15 receives a new Monster Energy livery that is sold alongside the Ice Flue vermillion, Dark Matt Blue and Metallic Black colours.
Opinion: Yamaha XSR 155 can create a whole new segment in India
For those not in the know, the XSR155 is Yamaha’s retro-style motorcycle based on the MT-15. Although, it is based on the international-spec MT-15 so it features USD forks and a different swingarm. However, the Indian masses seemed to go berzerk over the XSR155 on the internet, which drove us to believe that Yamaha could launch the motorcycle in our country. So, we wrote an opinion piece on why it would suit the country, creating a whole new segment of its own. Well, instead of the XSR155, Yamaha offered an India-specific version of the latter in the form of the FZ-X. We had it as our long-termer and we penned down our experience with the motorcycle. You can read all about it HERE
2021 Yamaha YZF-R25 announced for Malaysia
Well, it does seem like the South East Asian markets were introduced to some interesting motorcycles in 2021. The R25 is one such example. Its latest version, launched in Malaysia received a new ‘Cyan Metallic’ paint scheme. The bright blue shade was teamed up with bright red for the wheels.
While the Yamaha R25 is unlikely to be launched in India, we can expect the updated R3 to make its way to our country sometime in the near future.
New Jawa 42 Version 2.1 available in three colours in India
We finally come to the fifth most popular new story that is not a Yamaha. The Jawa 42 Version 2.1 was launched in India back in February. Although, based on the already modern-style 42, the 42 Version 2.1 took it a notch higher by offering a blacked-out look. With its bar-end mirrors, alloy wheels, blacked-out engine and components, the Version 2.1 screams custom. And it is being offered in a choice of three colours- All Star Black, Sirius White and Orion Red.
