The Yamaha XSR 155 has finally moved from years of “will they, won’t they?” to an India-specific test program, captured on road and strongly signaling a domestic launch around November 2025. Multiple outlets have reported the timeline and the price band Yamaha is targeting for India, putting the spotlight back on this neo-retro icon that has been a cult favorite in Southeast Asian markets since 2019.
As of today (October 8, 2025), the India launch is positioned as “imminent/expected,” not “completed,” so early figures below reflect what Yamaha sells abroad and what Indian spec sheets from dealer circles and media briefings suggest.
Design
The Yamaha XSR 155 leans hard into the brand’s Sport Heritage philosophy. Think round LED headlamp, old-school bench seat, sculpted 10-litre tank and minimal bodywork—paired to clean modern lines, an exposed Deltabox frame and premium fit-finish you usually associate with the R15/MT-15 family.
It’s not cosplay retro; it’s purposeful, with tight proportions that make the motorcycle look lithe in the city and muscled enough for weekend runs. The round digital cluster keeps the vibe classic, the LED lighting brings the tech, and the tidy tail makes it Instagram-ready from day one. Underneath the look, it’s built on Yamaha’s proven small-displacement performance platform—light, flickable, and confidence-inspiring.
Engine and performance
At the heart of the Yamaha XSR 155 is the 155 cc, liquid-cooled, SOHC, 4-valve single with Variable Valve Actuation (VVA). If you’ve ever ridden an R15 or MT-15, you already know this motor’s party trick: tractability in traffic and a second wind as revs rise. The numbers tell a familiar story—about 19.3 PS and 14.7 Nm—delivered through a slick 6-speed gearbox backed by an Assist & Slipper Clutch to smoothen hard downshifts and keep the rear composed on aggressive corner entries.
On paper, the XSR 155 trades the R15’s clip-ons and the MT-15’s transformer stance for an upright, relaxed ergos package—without diluting the eagerness that makes this 155 so addictive. Expect brisk city sprints, relaxed 80–90 km/h cruising, and enough top-end to enjoy open stretches without feeling strained.
Mileage
Small Yamahas are famous for squeezing performance from every drop. The Yamaha XSR 155 should hold a similar line, with widely quoted test cycles hovering around the high-40s (km/l), and careful riders reporting around the 50 km/l mark in mixed use.
In Indian conditions—stop-go commutes, occasional flyover blasts, and weekend spins—expect a practical 40–50 km/l envelope depending on your right wrist. With a 10-litre tank, you’re realistically looking at 350–450 km between fills if you ride with a light hand.
Ride and handling: sporty DNA, chill attitude
The Yamaha XSR 155 is not a couch; it’s a city-friendly, back-road-happy roadster. The Deltabox frame gives it the same planted, precise feel that’s made the R15 the handling benchmark in its class. Expect a taut setup that reads the road honestly but doesn’t rattle your spine, a wide handlebar that makes tight turns easy, and a wheelbase that keeps it nimble in traffic.
Tyre sizes are a sensible 100/80-17 up front and 140/70-17 at the rear—great for agility without sacrificing high-speed stability. Braking duties are handled by discs at both ends with ABS; India is expected to receive single-channel ABS, mirroring the widely listed spec.
Features and equipment: meaningful, not gimmicky
The Yamaha XSR 155 doesn’t chase features for a brochure flex; it focuses on a purposeful kit list. You get full LED lighting, an LCD instrument cluster with essential readouts, a high-quality bench seat, alloy wheels with tubeless tyres, and that much-loved Assist & Slipper Clutch.
What you won’t find—at least at launch—are flashy TFTs, IMU-based aids, or ride-by-wire theatrics. That restraint is deliberate: keep the weight low, the reliability high, and the price tight. Expect colorways that lean classic—silvers, blacks, and heritage-inspired schemes that flatter the bodywork and frame lines.
Price and positioning
Reports place the Yamaha XSR 155’s India price band in the ₹1.60–1.85 lakh ex-showroom window, which neatly triangulates it between premium 150–160 cc streetfighters and the entry zone of 250 cc singles. That’s savvy positioning: it gives buyers the sophisticated Yamaha 155 platform with retro styling—without drifting into 300+ cc territory where prices jump steeply.
Also relevant is the recent two-wheeler tax context and Yamaha’s premium 150 line pricing (R15 V4/MT-15), which suggest Yamaha will aim for a competitive sticker to broaden appeal. If they hit the lower half of that band, the XSR could be the sweet-spot “aspirational daily” for thousands of riders graduating from commuters.
City commuting review
Daily commutes are where the Yamaha XSR 155 should shine. The clutch action is light, the first-second-third gearing is friendly for crawling traffic, and the motor’s VVA kick means you can overtake cleanly with a twist instead of a downshift panic.
The upright ergonomics reduce wrist fatigue, mirrors sit clear of SUV mirrors in gaps, and the steering lock makes U-turns painless. Heat management on this platform is mature, so even in Delhi’s summer or Bengaluru snarls, it’s more than manageable. The bench seat offers better fore-aft movement than split seats, helpful for riders of varying heights to find a sweet spot.
Highway review
The Yamaha XSR 155 isn’t a tourer, but it’ll do a dawn-run on the ring road or a café-hop to the outskirts with style. The motor is smooth at 80–95 km/h, roll-on overtakes are decent, and the chassis feels secure when crosswinds pick up.
Wind protection is minimal (retro life!), so a small fly-screen may be a popular accessory. Tyres and suspension tune keep you connected to the tarmac; choose premium rubber if you’ll chase corners on weekend ghats regularly.
Cornering and braking
Yamaha’s 155s deliver a “point and it goes” feel that’s rare in this segment. The Yamaha XSR 155 keeps that DNA intact, with progressive brake bite, predictable weight transfer, and reassuring mid-corner stability. New riders will find it friendly; experienced riders will enjoy how much pace you can carry without fighting the bike.
The single-channel ABS in the expected India trim is adequate for most scenarios; experienced riders may wish for dual-channel, but Yamaha’s baseline tuning has historically been excellent.
Comfort and ergonomics
Seat height is in the approachable 800-ish millimeter zone internationally, the bar-peg-seat triangle sits relaxed, and the bench lets you scoot forward in traffic or slide back for a café-racer crouch. Pillion comfort is better than hyper-sport 150s but still compact; add a grab-rail if your rides are regularly two-up.
Suspension compliance feels tuned for imperfect roads—the Yamaha XSR 155 communicates, it doesn’t complain.
Quality, reliability and ownership
The Yamaha XSR 155 rides on the same mechanical backbone that’s proven bulletproof in our conditions—engine tolerances that stay tight, clutches that last, and finishes that shrug off monsoons with basic care.
Spares availability should mirror MT-15/R15 channels, and service intervals/costs are unlikely to surprise. Expect the usual Yamaha polish in paint, switchgear clickiness, and panel fit that resists squeaks over time.
Rivals and alternatives
Style-wise, the Yamaha XSR 155’s direct competition comes from neo-retro singles like the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 (for feel and stance) and sporty 150–160 cc nakeds like the MT-15 and Pulsar N160 (for price and performance overlap). The Hunter brings cubic capacity and thump, but the Yamaha XSR 155 hits back with weight, revs, and chassis sophistication.
Buyers comparing it to 250 cc retros will pay more for cubic capacity but may not feel a night-and-day difference in city use. If Yamaha nails the ₹1.60–1.70 lakh mark, it becomes the thinking rider’s retro—light on feet, heavy on charm.
Colors and variants
Globally, the Yamaha XSR 155 cycles through tasteful heritage palettes—satin silvers, deep greens, stealth blacks—with contrasting tank stripes and subtle badging. India usually gets a curated set tuned to our tastes; expect at least three to four mature shades at launch, with special editions possible later.
Should you buy the Yamaha XSR 155?
If you want a motorcycle that looks timeless but rides modern, the Yamaha XSR 155 hits the brief. It’s quick enough to entertain, efficient enough to be sensible, and distinct enough to stand out at the café or the office basement.
The chassis depth rewards new riders as they grow, and the engine’s dual-nature character keeps commutes interesting. If your checklist demands dual-channel ABS, TFTs, or 300 cc shove, you’ll need to look higher up the ladder. For everyone else, this is a delicious sweet spot.
Verdict
After years of “when is it coming?”, the Yamaha XSR 155 looks set to finally bring Yamaha’s Sport Heritage story to Indian roads.
With a realistic price window, proven mechanicals, and a design that’ll be fresh even five years from now, it feels like the right retro at the right time. Watch the final spec-sheet at launch; if the sticker is aggressive and the equipment mirrors the international bike, the Yamaha XSR 155 could be 2025’s most desirable sub-200 cc lifestyle motorcycle.
FAQs — Yamaha XSR 155
Is the Yamaha XSR 155 officially launched in India?
As of October 8, 2025, media reports and test-mule sightings indicate an India launch around November 2025; the formal on-sale announcement is still pending.
What is the Yamaha XSR 155 price in India?
Expect ₹1.60–1.85 lakh ex-showroom depending on market and taxes at launch. Yamaha’s pricing of related 155s (MT-15/R15) suggests a competitive sticker.
What are the Yamaha XSR 155 power and torque figures?
Roughly 19.3 PS and 14.7 Nm from the 155 cc VVA engine—numbers shared across Yamaha’s premium 155 platform.
What mileage can I expect from the Yamaha XSR 155?
Around 48–50 km/l in mixed riding, subject to traffic, fuel and riding style.
Does the Yamaha XSR 155 get dual-channel ABS in India?
Specification listings commonly cite single-channel ABS for this model; we’ll confirm final India trim at launch.
What is the Yamaha XSR 155 fuel tank capacity and seat type?
A 10-litre tank and a classic one-piece bench seat are part of the package, aligning with the retro-modern brief.
How does the Yamaha XSR 155 compare to the Hunter 350?
The Hunter 350 offers relaxed torque and classic thump; the Yamaha XSR 155 counters with lighter weight, higher revs, sharper handling, and better efficiency. Pricing will likely overlap at the entry variants.
Who is the Yamaha XSR 155 best for?
Riders who want neo-retro style without giving up everyday usability—city commuters with weekend café runs, new riders seeking quality kit, and enthusiasts who appreciate Yamaha’s 155 platform.