Yamaha YZF-R2 Launched in India - Now The Obvious Question Is...

The YZF-R2 becomes the new flagship of Yamaha Motor India, a title that has been enjoyed by the R15 for far too long, even though the company has occasionally sold the R3 and the MT-03 here. The R2 is a completely new motorcycle built on a new platform and is powered by a 204cc engine.

Yamaha has recently launched a new flagship motorcycle in India. But it couldn’t have been more understated than the 50cc jump over the YZF-R15!

Yes, welcome to the new Yamaha YZF-R2. Welcome to the new flagship of Yamaha Motor India!

Unlike other higher capacity R-series motorcycles that Yamaha sold in India occasionally, the R2 will be made here, of course, and hence, it’s not going anywhere. Something which Yamaha has struggled with in India when it comes to any sports bike more powerful than the R15!

So What Is The YZF-R2? And What About It?

Perhaps the first thing that needs to be said is that the R2 is not derived from the R15. It is a completely new motorcycle - new engine, new chassis, new bodywork, new suspension, new wheels, new brakes, and a new set of electronics powered by the almighty ride by wire throttle! Heh…

So, the new 204cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-valve engine is a DOHC unit, unlike the R15’s SOHC unit. Also, this engine does not feature the R15’s VVA (variable valve actuation) system which has two intake valve cams - one for low-mid range and the second for high RPMs and the switch happens at 7,400 RPM.

The R2 doesn’t have any such operation - it is a straightforward DOHC setup with double overhead camshafts that control the 4-valve operation. And I firmly believe it’s not a big deal that the R2 doesn’t have VVA. I’m not denying its benefits, but it’s just not a big deal. That’s all the time and attention I’m going to give it!

And though the jump with the R2 is only 49cc over the R15, the motorcycle makes a noticeable increase in power (26.5 PS at 10,000 RPM) and torque (19.1 NM at 8,000 RPM). These figures are right in the ballpark of its two direct competitors - the KTM RC 200 (199cc, 25 PS at 10,000 RPM and 19.2 NM of torque at 8,000 RPM) and the Hero Karizma XMR (210cc, 25.5 PS at 9,250 RPM and 20.4 NM at 7,250 RPM).

While these figures are extremely close to one another, what really sets the YZF-R2 apart is its wet weight of only 149 kg (150 kg for the R2M). Compared to this, the KTM RC 200 weighs 160 kg and the Karizma XMR weighs 163.5 kg. This puts the Yamaha at a pretty good advantage over the other two motorcycles.

It Is Well-built And Goodlooking

I like how the Yamaha R2 looks so far. It has well-balanced proportions and doesn’t appear tiny as such.. And I think overall there are enough visual differences that it’s recognisable from the R15 - like the new R3-inspired front, the steel tube chassis, as well as a different exhaust. Even the side fairing has its own design. Overall, the R2 follows the current R-series styling trend and hence, of course, looks similar to other R-series Yamahas.

The chassis too is a departure from the R15 and follows the philosophy set by the R3 and the R7 with their steel tube diamond frame. So, instead of the fat perimeter frame, the R2 gets a diamond frame made of high-tensile steel.

A diamond frame brings more creative and engineering freedom to the development process as it may or may not wrap the engine like a perimeter frame does. But looking at several R2 images since its launch, it seems that the main frame wraps around the engine for required structural rigidity with respect to sport riding. Simultaneously, the natural characteristic of the steel tubes provides more flex for incredible chassis feedback and rider-friendliness for regular street riding.

But the R2 also gets a beefy aluminium swing-arm with a link-type monoshock, like the R15, but it is not the same. It is completely new like everything else on the motorcycle. There’s a pair of upside-down forks at the front accompanied by a radially-mounted Nissin caliper working on a 282 mm disc. The rear gets a 220 mm disc.

I like the way the R2 looks. From the pics, it looks roomier than the R15, has an R3-inspired front. Overall, definitely a Goodlooking motorcycle.

New Set Of Electronics

This is something which is new in the 200cc segment very specifically. The Yamaha R2 gets a ride by wire throttle, which none of its rivals have. Along with it comes three riding modes - Sport, Street, and Rain. Now the good thing is, the power and torque remains the same in all riding modes. What changes is their delivery in each mode. But I still don’t see much sense of such features in small motorcycles no matter how well they’re implemented. This is completely personal.

What Does The R2 Mean For The Prospects Of The R3 In India?

So, does the arrival of the R2 indicate that the R3 will never be sold in India again? Honestly, it doesn’t mean any such thing. This is just me trying to make things up!

But seriously, I am pretty sure that the R2 is not meant to cover up for the R3 in the Indian market. The bike is not technically capable enough to do that. As far as I’m concerned, the R3 remains relevant for the Indian market whether or not the R2 exists. The problem is, Yamaha doesn’t seem to look at it this way. The company continues to abandon India as far as its big bikes are concerned.

In fact, I see a good market not only for the R3, but also for the likes of the MT-07, R7, the Tenere, and several motorcycles built on the MT-09 platform including the new R9 and the XSR900. I mean Triumph deserves some inline-3 competition on our shores too!

It’s simple, if the R15 and the R2 can coexist in India with the difference of a mere 50cc, then the R3 is more than suitable for our market with over 100cc and one more cylinder! The same goes for the MT-03 as well.

That said, the YZF-R2 seems like a good motorcycle to me. I have always felt that the R15 is a bit too small for me engine-wise even though it’s a very capable 155cc engine. I have thought about the R15 a lot but I’ve always understood that I need something more powerful. The R2 is not a big leap from the R15 but it promises sure-shot better performance at least as far as open roads are concerned. It is also possible that its steel tube chassis would deliver a more fun, adventurous, and edgier riding experience due its very nature especially in the corners!

But The More Obvious Question Is, Are We About To Get The MT-02 In The Near Future?

Now that will be interesting, won't it! The R15 has one, the R3 has one, the R7 is made out if one and so is the R9!

I am talking about the MT lineup. All existing R-series motorcycles have their MT versions selling side by side. It is obvious that there shall be an MT-02 in the near future. In fact, I am positive that Yamaha might already be in the final stages of developing one. After all, it will be a naked R2, how challenging could it be for Yamaha?

And that will be a very interesting proposition indeed!