Yamaha R2: What you should expect

The Yamaha R2 will launch on August 27, and pre-bookings for this supersport have now opened for Rs 10,000. It will add to the company’s existing line-up in India rather than replace the current R15. Here’s everything we know about this bike prior to its launch: 

1. Will be made in India and exported to multiple countries
2. Expected to have segment-leading performance

The Yamaha R2 will follow in the footsteps of its smaller sibling, the R15, in terms of the experience it will offer. This will be a fully faired sport bike that uses a high-revving single-cylinder engine, and it should offer performance that punches above its weight.

Yamaha R2: Power and performance

Details are not yet clear on the exact engine size, but we believe it will be slightly over 200cc, perhaps in the 200-220cc ballpark. Exact power figures are also unknown at this time, but sources indicate that it is likely to offer equal, if not best-in-class, performance. The two bikes this motorcycle will be pitted directly against include the KTM RC 200 and the Hero Karizma XMR. Both produce around 25hp, so it is likely that the Yamaha will also be somewhere close.

However, the Yamaha may not have as much power, and its performance advantage could also come from a lower weight. For example, the KTM weighs 160kg and the Karizma 163.5kg, while the current Yamaha R15 V4 tips the scales at just 141kg.

Yamaha R2: Features

The Yamaha R15 V4 is already the most feature-packed bike at this end of the market, offering things such as a TFT display, traction control and even an (upshift-only) quickshifter in its top variants. However, the R2 is expected to take this up a notch with the inclusion of a ride-by-wire throttle, which could unlock features like riding modes and a bi-directional quickshifter. The new Yamaha R2 will be manufactured in Chennai, and it is likely to be sold in multiple overseas markets. On that note, there may also be some specification differences based on where the bike is being sold.

Yamaha R2: Price

As mentioned earlier, the Yamaha R2 will not replace the Yamaha R15. That said, the current R15 line-up will be streamlined, and we expect that the range-topping M will be discontinued to make way for the R2. It’s even possible that the current R15S, which is based on the gen-3 R15, will be discontinued. Other models such as the recently launched Yamaha XSR 155 and MT-15 will continue to be on sale.

With current R15 prices starting at Rs 1.57 lakh for the S and going up to Rs 1.98 lakh for the top M variant, we expect that the R2 range could start at around Rs 2 lakh to Rs 2.2 lakh, depending on how aggressive Yamaha plans to be. For reference, the KTM RC 200 costs Rs 2.24 lakh (ex-showroom), while the Hero XMR starts at a lower Rs 1.76 lakh (ex-showroom). Yamaha has now opened pre-bookings for the R2 for Rs 10,000, which is fully refundable, although refunds will only be processed after September 5.

Finally, the new R2 platform won’t be restricted to one model, and we expect to see more bikes based on it in the future, just as Yamaha has done with its 155cc platform.