Yamaha’s XSR 155 | Photo Credit: Kaizad Adil Darukhanawala

Some motorcycles arrive fashionably late, while others turn up so late that expectations cool and excitement quietly moves on. The Yamaha XSR 155 felt like the latter. Globally, it had already built a reputation as an enthusiast favourite, and, in India, it was a bike many had waited years for. I wasn’t one of them… well, at least not anymore. By the time it finally arrived, the anticipation had faded, dulled further by the FZ-X.

When I first saw the XSR 155 in the flesh, I wasn’t as excited as I thought I would be. That changed the more time I spent with it. The design slowly grew on me and before long I found myself appreciating just how right Yamaha had got it. The proportions looked spot on, the stance felt balanced and in the Metallic Blue paint scheme the bike looked genuinely special. For the first time, even the exposed wiring didn’t bother me — it felt honest, almost intentional, rather than careless. What felt a bit off was the switchgear with the positions of the indicator toggle and horn interchanged.

The bike looked far more spacious than I expected, especially when compared to its sibling, the MT-15. That impression stayed intact when I swung my leg over onto the 810-mm saddle. The seat offered enough room to move around and the wide handlebar made the bike feel welcoming. I had expected a relaxed, almost upright riding position, but the rearset footpegs added a sporty edge. The ergonomics felt engaging without being uncomfortable, striking a balance that worked well on most rides.

engaging ride

That riding position encouraged me to ride faster than I normally would and the 155cc liquid-cooled single made sure I was rarely short of temptation. The suspension, however, reminded me where I was riding. It dealt well with the occasional bump or minor undulation, but extended uneven stretches left my back sore within about 70 km. The upside was that the chassis stayed composed; mid-corner bumps didn’t unsettle the bike, and there was a reassuring sense of stability when I was leaned over.

I found myself leaning it over quite often, largely because the XSR 155 responded so eagerly to inputs. With just 137 kg (kerb weight) to carry, the bike felt light and playful, making even routine commutes more engaging than they had any right to be. Direction changes came easily, and the bike always felt predictable and composed. The brakes took some getting used to, though. The 282-mm front disc lacked initial bite, but once I adjusted my expectations, it did its job well.

What surprised me most was how well the engine behaved at low speeds. Despite its ability to run hard, it was happy trundling along with its 1.4 kg-m at my disposal, and I could crawl through narrow, congested lanes in fourth gear without any complaint. On open roads, things changed quickly. I kept the throttle pinned, and at around 7000 rpm, the VVA kicked in with a noticeable surge. Before I knew it, the XSR 155 was comfortably doing triple-digit speeds with all of its 18 bhp at work, all while staying impressively refined.

There’s no getting around the fact that the XSR 155 has arrived late to a party that it could have started itself. But it redeems itself by being one of the most affordable bikes in its segment at ₹1.50 lakh (ex-showroom) and by being genuinely enjoyable to ride. For a first-time buyer, it’ll feel light, unintimidating and well-equipped, with dual-channel ABS and traction control. For an experienced rider, there’s enough performance and involvement to keep a grin firmly in place. And then there’s the efficiency of nearly 50 kpl in real-world riding, which only strengthens its case. So yes, the XSR may be late to the party, but it definitely knows how to make an entrance.

© Motoring World

Published on December 19, 2025