Name: Elly
Date: 21/11/2011 - Present
2nd bike after RWR 125. Honestly, it's light and basically a good 2B sports bike for one to ride. The transition from RWR 125 to Yamaha YZF R15 was an awkward one as I was accustomed to a heavy bike.
Till this date, which is 18Jan2016, this bike has two versions to it. First being R15 v1.0 while the second one being R15 v2.0. Aesthetically different but performance wise, v1.0 performs better. STOCK! Do some read up on this as I may be wrong on it.
I will avoid delving deeper on the memories I had with her. She is the first bike that I had a "minor accident" whereby I skidded during wet weather. I was alright but she wasn't, aesthetically.
Fortunate enough, the driver who inadvertently caused me to skid decided to settle privately and amicably. This incident instigated me to get a GoPro camera to prevent any further mishap.
Alright, let's get to the review.
Review of Yamaha YZF R15 v1.0:
- Mileage: 36km/litre average
- Handling: Very Good, Modest
- Wow Factor (1-10): 6
This R15 of mine is completely stock. Initially, in its early lifespan, I manage to clock 41-43km/litre. I am not sure how petrol grade affects fuel consumption but I feed all my bikes with 98 Techron often. If I am running low on fuel and Caltex is nowhere in sight, any other 98 fuel grade will do i.e. Shell V-Power or SPC 98.
Since year 2011 riding this bike, Elly still average out at 36km/litre. I ride aggressively. Hitting 120 - 130km/h as quick as I can but this baby still performs like a beast. Top Speed I got from Elly was about 143km/h. Power-to-weight ratio plays a lot in squeezing out every horsepower. Some light-weighted R15 riders managed to pull a 150km/h along the freeway.
Handling wise? It was not as great. Depends on how often you ride, it took me about 10 - 12 months "to be one" with the motorcycle. Its suspension can be a bit twitchy at times. My advise? Avoid installing third party components on her, especially the batteries and headlight. You want to change the exhaust system? No issue. But batteries, rectifier, ECU and other components? Tread lightly. I had a lot of problems when I chose to try non OEM batteries and ECU. It was an expensive lesson as I had to change my batteries and ECU multiple times within a short span. That is basically the internal parts.
For its exterior, the wow Factor is a low 6. This bike is too common ever since its inception in Singapore. Marketability and demand is not relatively high but it is popular among the Indian Nationals who are working here as this bike is produced in India. A friend sold off his R15 v1.0 at quite a good price after 2 years of riding it to an Indian National who apparently love his bike. That was back in 2013. Maybe times have changed but given the ridiculous COE price, R15 v1.0 has a good selling value.
If you are thinking of R15 v1.0 or v2.0 as your first bike after getting your 2B, I will give the green light and say go for it. I may be riding a class 2 bike now but I still travel the distance with Elly. Nothing but love for her. (:
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