In November 2025, Yamaha brought the XSR 155 to Indian shores, but more than the bike, it was the hype on the social media – about its design, engine, and pricing – that surprised me. After spending a week with this neo-retro motorcycle, I’m sure the hype was worth it.
Design
There are many neo-retro bikes in India, but the XSR 155 looks the most authentic. It sits on the legendary Deltabox frame – staple on Yamaha’s sportbikes like the R-Series – giving it an athletic stance. Its round LED headlamp, the tear-drop fuel tank, and the ribbed seat complete the classic look.
Performance
For more than a decade, the R15 has been the go-to machine for motorcycling enthusiasts – small engine, but explosive performance, and perfect ride & handling. A lot of that oomph has been passed onto the XSR 155.
Fire its 155-cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine, and the familiar Yamaha idle greets you. It produces 18.4 PS power at 10,000 rpm and 14.2 Nm torque at 7,500 rpm. It starts in a docile manner, but roll the throttle, let the Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) kick in at about 7,000 rpm, and it turns into an R15-type performer. At higher speeds, the exhaust note sharpens, and the bike pulls with a kind of urgency that doesn’t suit its retro looks.
The 6-speed gearbox – also borrowed from the R15 – is buttery smooth, making downshifts fun.
Ride & handling
This is where the XSR 155 justifies its Rs 1.49 lakh, ex-showroom, pricing. The suspension – it has telescopic forks in the front and a monoshock at the rear – is tuned slightly softer than the R15, but firmer than the FZ series. Its Deltabox frame offers rigidity that gives you confidence on the corners – you can lean into a bend with the same aggression as the R15, and it will hold its line.
Is it worth it?
It’s obviously not perfect – the seat, for example, is 810 mm high, which can be a challenge for shorter riders (the Royal Enfield Hunter 350, another neo-retro, has a seat height of 790 mm). Also, the rear seating area is narrow, and may not be comfortable for the pillion rider. The circular LCD console looks okay, but doesn’t justify its premium pricing (the Hunter 350 starts at just Rs 1.37 lakh).
The XSR 155 is for the enthusiast, who loves the feel of a liquid-cooled sportbike with the timeless appeal of a classic. It is faster than the Hunter 350, more engaging than the FZ series, and far more comfortable than the R15.
