2018 Yamaha YZF-R15: Wrap up
I have to say I'm suffering from a case of withdrawal symptoms ever since I've returned the YZF-R15 to Yamaha. It was a short yet sweet love story (pardon the mush but I cannot help it!) and I miss it so much. Three months with the R15 changed my perception about supersport motorcycles. You see, I own a KTM 390 Duke and my long-termer before the R15 was the Yamaha FZ25. Both are sporty street fighters and I thought it's the most fun one could have on a motorcycle. But the R15 just blew this belief to bits. It is such a fun motorcycle to ride that I didn't miss a single chance to ride it, despite my schedule. In fact I had called dibs on the motorcycle as soon as it joined the OD garage.
Most of the kilometers were logged during commutes to office and back home. While the riding position is committed I never really felt tired. Or maybe it's less time spent in the saddle because I would simply breeze through traffic! Jokes aside, I really didn't find the riding position bothersome. I've covered over 300+ km in a single day when I rode down to my hometown, Indapur to meet my parents and I wasn't worn out by the end of the ride.
I've also managed a squeeze in a few weekend rides to the hills and that's where the R15 cast a spell over me. I loved the feel and feedback from the chassis, the way it stays glued around a corner and its sharp steering. It gave the confidence to carry higher than usual speeds in a corner. And it has always left me smiling from ear to ear. The best thing is that the R15 is pretty frugal, even when I'm wringing it.
The only issue I've faced is with the pillion seat that my girlfriend said, was uncomfortable over long distances and a couple of instances when the engine temperature light came on, in dense traffic. The bike didn't shut down, but it did cause a few anxious moments. Besides this, I had one of the best times on two wheels, aboard the YZF-R15. And now, allow me to gather myself as I come to terms with saying bye to my favourite OD long-termers, in a while.
Acquired: Jul 2018
Last reported at:Â 2,112km
Total mileage: 4,444km
Fuel: 58.3 litres
Economy: 40kmpl