[The_Artificer]

Hello fellow BHPians!
This is my second post on the forum, and it’s a special one - a celebration of one year with my dream machine, the Yamaha R15 S V3.

The desire to own this bike wasn’t something that struck overnight. It goes way back to 2018 when I first laid eyes on the V3 and instantly fell in love with its design, aggressive stance, and the race-inspired DNA that Yamaha infused into it. Back then, I told myself, “One day, I’ll own this bike.”

Fast forward to March 2024, that dream finally came true when my parents gifted it to me at the age of 19. It wasn’t just any V3, Yamaha had already discontinued the model in 2021, but I was lucky enough to get the R15 V3 S variant

Before this, my riding experience was mostly limited to the humble and reliable 110cc Hondas owned by my dad and mom. They were practical and served their purpose well, but deep down, I always longed for something more, something with spirit, style, and sportiness. And that’s exactly what the V3 delivered.

Buying Experience: A Rough Start with a Rewarding Finish

I got my Yamaha R15 S V3 from Avi Motors, Redhills, Chennai, a bike I had dreamed about since 2018. But the joy of finally owning it came with a little turbulence during the buying process.

We had specifically booked the 2024 variant, the one featuring the updated negative LCD display. But when we went for delivery, the dealership rolled out a 2023-manufactured unit that had been sitting in their yard for over 8 months, without any prior notice or discussion. It felt like they quietly hoped we wouldn’t notice the difference.

Naturally, I was disappointed, my face went red, not just from the heat of the moment, but because I genuinely felt like something wasn’t right. After standing our ground, they finally agreed to arrange the correct 2024-manufactured unit, and delivery was rescheduled for two days later.

To add to the confusion, during the final handover, the sales executive casually asked me to open the seat so he could pair the bike’s Bluetooth with the Y-Connect app. I stood there confused, because the V3 S doesn’t even come with a Bluetooth module. At that point, all I could do was smile awkwardly.

While the process wasn't smooth, my parents encouraged me to add a few personal touches to brighten the experience. I picked up some basic accessories from a local motorcycle accessories shop, a tail tidy, LED indicators, and a lever protector, just enough to give the bike a cleaner, more personal look.



The ride home was pure bliss. Despite the dealership hiccups, everything I had waited for was finally mine - on my terms.

Initial Impressions: Love at First Ride

The moment I swung a leg over her and thumbed the starter, it all began to feel real. After years of waiting, planning, and dreaming, I was finally riding my R15 S V3.

Right from the first ride, she felt sharp, responsive, and surprisingly refined for a 155cc machine. The engine delivered exactly what I expected from the segment, smooth power delivery, enough punch for city commutes, and a bit of zing when you open her up on open stretches. The gearbox was slick, and that characteristic Yamaha refinement stood out from the first kilometer.

While she may not be the most powerful on paper, the way the S V3 carries itself makes it feel more than just another 155cc bike. Every throttle input, every gear change, it all felt mechanical yet precise, and the riding triangle kept me engaged without being overly aggressive.

At the end of the day, she’s not just a motorcycle, she’s my dream bike. Something I had visualized since 2018. And now, every time I park her, I can’t help but turn around and take one last look.





Riding Experience: Everyday SuperSport, Responsibly Ridden
I use my S V3 primarily for college commutes, and she’s been doing that duty like a champ. I ride entirely on the highway, with a pillion on board almost every day, so I make it a point to ride responsibly and smoothly.

Despite being a faired sportbike, heating was never an issue during these highway runs. The bike stays calm and composed even during extended rides. In bumper-to-bumper city traffic, you do feel some warmth from the engine, but nothing alarming or uncomfortable. It’s all within expected limits for a liquid-cooled machine.

Fuel efficiency has been pretty reasonable, especially considering that I always have a pillion. She consistently returns 40 to 45 kmpl on relaxed highway runs, and dips slightly below 40 kmpl when pushed a bit harder. For a bike with this level of performance and daily usage with load, I find that quite acceptable.

As for comfort - let’s be real. No sane being buys an R15 expecting plush seating or an upright stance. It’s a lightweight sportbike, and it wears that identity proudly. I haven’t gone for handlebar risers or a street-naked bar conversion either, because I wanted to stay true to the bike’s DNA - low, lean, and sharp.

Despite the aggressive ergonomics, it never feels out of place once you get used to it. You adapt, and soon enough, it becomes second nature, part of what makes this machine so involving to ride.





Service Experience: A Tale of Two Workshops

Over the course of the year, I’ve completed five periodic services on my R15 S V3 , four of which were under Yamaha’s free service program (free of labour cost), and one was fully paid.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the services:

1st Service @ 1000 km – ₹1376

2nd Service @ 5000 km – ₹1476

3rd Service @ 7000 km – ₹1376

4th Service @ 13000km - ₹1019 (service) + ₹1113 (rear brake pads)

5th Service @ 17,000 km – ₹2720 (included air filter + front brake pad replacement)


The first four services were done at Avi Motors, Redhills, Chennai. The service advisor, Mr. Bhupalan, was courteous and approachable, but unfortunately, the overall execution of service often left me underwhelmed.

The workshop itself is located on the third floor, accessible only by a steep, long ramp. Watching the young technicians, most without uniforms, revving and taking bikes hard up the incline wasn't the most confidence-inspiring sight, especially for someone particular about how their machine is handled.

There were some clear lapses. During the 4th service, the front brake fluid wasn’t replaced even though it was due. My lever protector end was also broken, something I noticed only after reaching home. It started becoming clear that I had to specifically mention each task, even those outlined in the service manual, else they’d be skipped. That’s not something you expect from an authorized Yamaha dealership.

But what really pushed me to switch was the experience during the 4th service. I dropped my bike off as the second vehicle at gate entry, early in the morning, and headed to college on my mom's Honda Aviator. I returned expecting the job to be done, only to find that my V3 had not even been touched. I ended up waiting nearly two hours, and even then, the rear brake fluid wasn’t topped up properly.

For the 5th service, I decided to go local, a Yamaha dealership just 5 minutes from my home, BG Motors, Ponneri (Thiruvallur District). It was a breath of fresh air. The technicians here are family-run, literally brothers, and deeply respectful of both the bike and the rider. The experience was smooth, transparent, and professional. I got the air filter and front brake pads changed here as part of the service, and I’ve decided this is going to be my regular service point moving forward.

Mods & Accessories: Subtle Touches That Make Her Mine

Right from the beginning, I knew I wasn't going to keep her bone stock. While the R15 S V3 already looks like a scaled-down superbike, a few tasteful mods just had to be done to make her feel truly mine. Every modification was made not for bling, but to sharpen her already aggressive design and improve overall aesthetics.

The first mod I installed was a tail tidy, because the stock mudguard just didn’t sit well with the sharp tail section of the bike. It immediately made the rear profile look clean and track-ready. Next came a light smoked Indonesian visor, which blends beautifully with the bike's front fairing and adds that aggressive look from the front.

I also went for adjustable metal lever protectors, not the bulky kind, but a sleek set that offers a bit of safety and a lot of style. And the sequential turn signals I picked up (refer to the previous thread I posted for a detailed view on these) added a modern flair, giving the bike a premium touch that stock indicators simply can’t match.

Finally, I removed the wheel hugger and saree guard. The saree guard, to be honest, felt completely out of place on a sportbike like the V3. It was like putting a schoolbag on a racehorse. Without it, the bike’s rear looks way sharper, and the hugger delete makes chain cleaning easier too.

All these mods were done at a trusted local mechanic shop nearby. Nothing over the top, just the right touches to bring out the V3’s sporty soul.





Maintenance: Because She Deserves the Love

I’ve always believed that a motorcycle gives back the care you show it, and that shows in how I maintain my V3. From day one, I’ve made it a point to park her only in shaded spots, especially in university parking. I've seen a couple of my classmates’ 125cc scooters, bought even after I got my V3, already faded from being baked under the sun daily. I guess they prefer their Suzuki sun-dried .

Every Sunday is ritual time. I pull out the paddock stand, set her up, and spend a good 3 to 4 hours washing, drying, and detailing. The chain gets cleaned and lubed religiously with Motul C1 and C2, and I inspect the little things that many tend to overlook. Lever bolts, visor bolts, fluid levels, and the general tightness of everything.

One thing I’ve never done is run her dry. Not even once. I always top up responsibly and try to keep the fuel above the last bar, it's just something I’m particular about.

For fuel, I’ve been using HP’s 95 octane premium petrol since the 5th periodic service. It’s been smooth sailing with it, but I’m considering whether I should continue or switch back to regular fuel. Would love some inputs from fellow BHPians on whether it’s actually making a difference long-term in a 155cc engine like this.

Design Language: Timeless Aggression That Still Grabs Eyeballs

The Yamaha R15 S V3 is living proof that good design doesn't need a refresh every year to stay relevant. Even with its 8-year-old design language, the V3 still manages to pull attention, whether it’s slicing through traffic or parked quietly in a corner. The aggressive fascia, razor-sharp fairings, and that distinctive rear end all come together to give it a stance that’s unapologetically sporty.

It may not be the latest in the R15 family, but this one carries a raw, track-bred essence that newer versions have slightly diluted with rider-friendly ergonomics and tech. What I ride today might have been launched years ago, but the way people still turn around and give it a second glance says everything.

A recent visit to VST Ducati, Chennai for a test ride of the Panigale V4S gave me an unexpected moment of pride. I parked my V3 beside the Italian legend, a bike that's twenty times the price and flaunts exotic curves. But surprisingly, my V3 didn’t look completely out of place. Sure, the Panigale has presence and prestige, but the R15 S V3 held its own, looking like a junior assassin in the superbike league.





Even in everyday situations, the V3 gets its share of love. Once, as I was waiting at a traffic signal fully geared up, a mini-van packed with kids drove by, and out of nowhere, they started cheering and pointing at my bike. That spontaneous excitement from them made me smile, proof that this bike still has charm, even to the next generation.

Now, moving forward, I’m planning to black out my V3 completely using high-quality black PPF. Not only will it protect the factory paint from scratches and sun damage, especially considering how harsh Chennai’s weather can be, but it’ll also give the bike a murdered-out, stealthy look. A win-win situation, really. Protection with style.

So while newer bikes may come and go with added features and electronics, the V3 proves that true design doesn’t fade, it grows with the rider.

Final Verdict: Would I Buy It Again After One Year?

After riding through a year filled with early morning college commutes, weekend cleaning rituals, questionable dealership experiences, and countless stares at traffic signals, you'd expect some hesitation in my answer. But looking back at every twist and turn in this journey, from the first time I twisted that throttle to every minor mod and moment of frustration. I already know my answer.

Yes ! In a heartbeat.

Because this wasn’t just about owning a machine, it was about fulfilling a dream that started all the way back in 2018. A dream that still feels fresh every time I glance back at her after parking. Despite the hiccups with delivery and service, despite the aggressive ergonomics and stiff city traffic, I never stopped choosing to ride her every single day. And that speaks volumes.

I didn’t just adapt to her quirks, I embraced them. I didn’t chase comfort, I chased connection. And now, a year later, I’ve built something far beyond a spec sheet or showroom test ride, a bond between a rider and his dream machine.



So yes, if given the chance to do it all over again, I’d go back to the showroom, walk past all the other options, and pick the R15 S V3 once more. Because she isn’t just a motorcycle, she’s my motorcycle.

Ride safe, happy motorcycling, and always wear your helmets while riding.

[Iyencar]

Congratulations on a very well kept beauty! I honestly went and opened and checked the Yamaha website to see if you'd made a typo in the year because I was so sure the R15 S was no longer in production. To my pleasant surprise I also saw it comes in a Matte Black shade. What do you mean when you say the newer models have rider friendly ergonomics? I thought they had riding positions just as commited as it used to be? Also, is the single seat more spacious for a pillion than in the MT-15?

[Revvin' Ricky]

Originally Posted by The_Artificer

Hello fellow BHPians!
This is my second post on the forum, and it’s a special one - a celebration of one year with my dream machine, the Yamaha R15 S V3.

Almost a month ago, I parted ways with our beloved Yamaha R15 v3. I really miss the monster energy v3 so much now that I don't own any sports bike and the kind of road presence it had even after being a 5.5yr old machine it used to shine like brand new model and maintaining it was super easy and light on pocket.

PS:This is my first reply on this forum

[The_Artificer]

Originally Posted by Iyencar

Congratulations on a very well kept beauty! I honestly went and opened and checked the Yamaha website to see if you'd made a typo in the year because I was so sure the R15 S was no longer in production. To my pleasant surprise I also saw it comes in a Matte Black shade. What do you mean when you say the newer models have rider friendly ergonomics? I thought they had riding positions just as commited as it used to be? Also, is the single seat more spacious for a pillion than in the MT-15?

Yeah, the V3 S is still on sale, a lot of people get confused seeing newer registrations, totally get it. Yamaha’s still quietly pushing it along with the V4.

I actually rode my friend’s V4 before getting mine, and honestly, even though the clip-ons are raised (around 18mm I think), it didn’t work for me. I’m 5’11” and somehow the posture felt off. The tank design also felt a bit odd, like it didn’t suit my riding style or fit.

Plus, I carry a pillion daily and the single seat on the V3 S is way better for that. The MT-15 pillion seat is tiny, and the moment I wear a backpack, there's literally no space left for the pillion!