Yamaha XSR 155 finally launched at ₹1.49lakh–Yamaha FZ Rave bold retro ride at ₹1.17lakh

Yamaha XSR 155 & Yamaha RZ Rave: What You Need to Know

At the very start – The Yamaha XSR 155 and Yamaha RZ Rave have just been launched in India, with the XSR priced at about ₹1.49 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and the Rave at around ₹1.17 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). These are serious new options in the 150-160cc category – so if you’ve been hunting for a stylish, capable commuter + fun bike in Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata – you’ll want to read on.

You get proven Yamaha engines, real-world mileage focus, and design that actually turns heads without breaking the bank. Honestly, that price for the XSR 155 with VVA and dual-channel ABS caught many off guard. Anyway, let’s break it down smartly so you can pick the one that fits you.

What are Yamaha XSR 155 & Yamaha RZ Rave?

The Yamaha XSR 155 is a neo-retro 155cc bike built on the proven MT/R15 155cc engine package, launched at ~₹1.49 lakh (ex-showroom). The Yamaha RZ Rave is an affordable 149cc Yamaha commuter bike launched at ~₹1.17 lakh (ex-showroom), aimed at city riders. (Yamaha FZ Rave)

Check out the BSA Gold Star 650 — a stunning revival of the classic British roadster. With its 652 cc engine, retro styling, and modern tech, it rivals the Interceptor 650 and Triumph Speed 400 as a true old-school-meets-modern performer.

And now I’ll dig into details.

• Price in India: ₹1,49,990 (ex-showroom Delhi) according to the official site.
• Engine: 155cc liquid-cooled single cylinder, shared with R15/MT-15, produces around 18.4 hp & 14.1 Nm torque.
• Features: Neo-retro styling (round LED headlamp, teardrop tank), modern tech (dual-channel ABS, traction control) in some cases.
• Colours: Four options – Metallic Grey, Vivid Red, Greyish Green Metallic, Metallic Blue.
• Usage: This is a bike that blends daily usability (commuting in cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai) and weekend fun, but with style. In Kolkata or Bhātpāra you’ll still get attention.

For whom? Riders who want the 155cc performance but dislike full faired sportbike look, prefer retro / naked style.

Yamaha RZ Rave – The budget Yamaha 150cc pick

• Price in India: ₹1,17,218 (ex-showroom Delhi) for the RZ/Rave (149cc).
• Engine: 149cc air-cooled single cylinder making approx 12.2-13.3 bhp, 13.3 Nm torque. 5-speed gearbox.
• Features: LED headlamp, single-piece seat, disc brakes front & rear, single-channel ABS.
• Positioning: Affordable Yamaha brand ownership, city commuter vibe, especially in markets like Pune, Ahmedabad, Lucknow.
  

For whom? Riders who want a reliable 150cc bike from a strong brand, for daily ride + some style.

Background: why this matters now

Yamaha India has expanded its 150–160cc portfolio with two distinct flavors on the same week: retro-modern XSR 155 and city-focused FZ/RZ Rave, plugging gaps between the MT-15 crowd and commuters wanting style plus efficiency. This aligns with Yamaha’s renewed push alongside two electric scooters for India.

XSR 155 lands with the 155cc VVA motor and Deltabox frame dynamics known from R15/MT-15, while the FZ/Rave uses the trusted 149cc FZ mill and sharper styling for urban buyers. This twin strategy targets premium-feel on a budget.

Public reaction: quick pulse

• “FINALLY here!”—that’s the sentiment across enthusiast media, with many surprised at the XSR’s introductory ₹1,49,990 pricing and the Rave’s fresh, edgy look for the FZ family. Not gonna lie, it’s been years of requests for the XSR 155 in India.
• Hindi auto press highlights the Rave’s LED projector, vents on the tank, and single-channel ABS as a balanced city rider option without fluff—clean, modern, easier to live with daily.

Expert voices: what the pros say

• Autocar, NDTV, and BikeWale call the FZ/Rave a tidy, low-effort city tool with aggressive styling, maintaining FZ reliability and value; it rivals Apache RTR 160 and Pulsar equivalents on price and commuting ease.
• Multiple outlets confirm XSR 155 gets the 155cc VVA engine, 6-speed with assist & slipper clutch, dual-channel ABS, traction control, and that tidy neo-retro form factor—basically MT-15 dynamics with classic looks.

Pricing and variants

• Yamaha XSR 155 price: ₹1,49,990 introductory (ex-showroom Delhi); four colors; dual-channel ABS standard.
• Yamaha FZ/RZ Rave price: ₹1,17,218–₹1.17 lakh introductory (ex-showroom Delhi), new LED projector headlamp, red alloys on select colorways, single-channel ABS.​

Features – What each brings to the table

What the XSR 155 offers

• Full LED lighting, round headlamp for retro look.
• 6-speed gearbox (like R15/MT-15) so higher flexibility on highways.
• Traction control and dual-channel ABS (in some spec). This is rare in this segment.
• Four colour choices & accessory kits (Scrambler / Cafe Racer) – customization friendly.
• Weight: ~137 kg kerb, 10-litre fuel tank (smaller), so quite nimble.
• Mileage: Claimed ~45.5 km/l for the 155cc

What I like: The blend of style + tech + brand. In cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, you’ll look good.

What the RZ Rave offers

• 149cc engine tuned more for ease than max performance — good for city commuting.
• LED headlamp, modern styling, disc brakes both sides.
• Kerb weight ~136 kg, 17-inch wheels — agile for city use.
• Price at ~₹1.17 lakh ex-showroom: strong value from Yamaha.

What I like: Value for money. Good for first big bike in metros like Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata.

Feature Comparison Table

How does it compare with rivals (e.g., TVS Ronin, MT-15)

XSR 155 vs TVS Ronin

• TVS Ronin competes in the neo-retro / street segment in 160cc class.
• If you’re in Delhi or Bengaluru, Ronin vs XSR: XSR has premium Yamaha heritage + features like traction control; Ronin may have different value.
• If budget is tight and you want more performance per rupee, you might also look at Ronin.
• But if you prefer “brand + tech + style” over nothing else, XSR wins.

XSR 155 vs Yamaha MT‑15 V2

• MT-15 V2 in India starts at ~₹1,55,469 ex-showroom Delhi.
• So XSR’s price at ~₹1.49 lakh is slightly lower – interesting gap.
• MT-15 is more “streetfighter” aggressive style; XSR is neo-retro. Mechanically similar engine.
• If you prefer raw performance / aggressive stance -> MT-15. If retro style + relaxed ergonomics -> XSR.

RZ Rave vs Entry 150cc rivals

If you ride mostly city, value over sport, the RZ is smart.
At ~₹1.17 lakh ex-showroom, the RZ Rave undercuts many competitors in the 150cc commuter class.

In cities like Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Lucknow – where commuter traffic dominates, RZ gives brand value + fresh styling.

Why should you buy these bikes?

Why buy the XSR 155?

• You get premium Yamaha build, tech features (traction control, 6-speed), 155cc performance.
• Retro styling stands out: In Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai – this will turn heads.
• Strong brand + features = likely better resale value.
• If you plan to commute + weekend ride (Mumbai to Pune, Delhi to Gurgaon) this works.

Why buy the RZ Rave?

• Affordable Yamaha ownership.
• Ideal for city riders: Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata – where traffic means you don’t always need aggressive sportbike.
• Good starting bike for younger riders or first-time big bike.

Which one should you buy? (My take)

If I were you (Boss) picking one, here’s what I’d think:

• If you ride mostly city + occasional ride out (Kolkata ↔ Darjeeling? Mumbai ↔ Pune?), and style matters more than outright sport-performance → go RZ Rave.
• If you ride more weekends, want higher ‘fun factor’, retro style, and are fine with slightly higher cost + maybe waiting list in some cities (Delhi, Bengaluru) → go XSR 155.
• If you already own a 150cc bike and want big upgrade, maybe consider MT-15 V2 too but that’s a separate decision.
• Location matters: In smaller towns (Bhopal, Indore, Bhātpāra, West Bengal suburbs) reselling premium bike might be slower. So factor that.

Final Verdict

So, summing up: If you’re hunting a new 150-160cc bike right now in India and you’re looking at Yamaha XSR 155 or Yamaha RZ Rave, you’re in luck. Yamaha has just launched both, one premium, one value. Decide based on how much you ride, what style you prefer, and your budget.

What I expect: The XSR will draw lots of attention, will help Yamaha strengthen its mid-range presence. The RZ Rave will probably see stronger volume given the price. Both matter for the Indian two-wheeler market.

Shubhankar