Disclaimer: This article is written by Jitesh Surana, Founder of Asteride. All views and opinions shared here are personal and based on individual riding experience.

When I first heard about the XSR 155 landing in India, my first thought was: “Finally, a neo-retro roadster built for riders, not just hype.” I’ve ridden across cities, on commuter bikes and big tourers. For a long time, the “150–160 cc premium” segment felt like a mismatch: flashy styling on commuter tech or roadster ambition without real backbone. Yamaha’s XSR 155 changes that equation.

What’s special about the XSR 155

Here’s what stands out (and why it matters to someone who rides real roads):

• Retro-inspired design meets modern underpinnings: The bike uses the same chassis and engine as Yamaha’s MT-15 and R15 line. That’s smart, you get proven mechanicals plus a design that nods to heritage. 

• Premium ride-ready hardware: Expect a Deltabox frame, liquid-cooled 155 cc engine with VVA (Variable Valve Actuation), six-speed gearbox and assist/slipper clutch, things that usually sit on higher budgets. 

• Real features for real riding: Dual-channel ABS, traction control, upside-down forks in some reports, full LED lighting, and even customisation kits (Café Racer and Scrambler) to make the machine your machine. 

• The premium “middle ground”: Priced at around ₹1.50 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), a sweet spot for riders wanting style + substance without jumping into the 300-cc or 350-cc tourer world. 

Why Indian riders care

From my experience riding India’s mix of highways, ghats and city sprawl, these are the things that matter:

• Identity: The bike looks different in a sea of commuter bikes, that’s a win for many of us who value how it feels, not just how it goes.

• Capability: When you ride in India, you need more than good looks. You need confidence, over bad tarmac, over plains, over ghats. These spec bits (frame, hardware) give that.

• Customisation potential: The fact that Yamaha is offering Café Racer / Scrambler kits means one bike can cater to multiple riding personalities. For a community that loves wrenching and personal expression, this matters.

• Relevance for the future: As Yamaha India says, their roadmap aims at premium & deluxe segments plus EVs, the XSR 155 signals they’re serious about bikes that matter to riders, not just urban commuters. 

The bigger picture

Yamaha’s announcement to launch 10 new models (including EVs) in India by end-2026 shows they are placing a bet on riders who care about style, build quality, and emotional connection. The XSR 155 is an entry point into that vision. If you’re part of the community that rides clubs, group outings, adventures or just values machine and ride equally, this one speaks your language.

What to check if you’re interested

• Try a ride and feel how the bike behaves in real Indian conditions: twisties, ghats, bad tarmac.

• Check for real service coverage, your local Yamaha dealer + parts availability.

• Think longer term: How does this fit your “next ride”? If you mod, tour, customise, will this serve you?

• Use your tools (like Asteride) to compare this with options: What bikes your club uses, what real-world feedback is out there.

My take

On balance, the XSR 155 is a win for the Indian rider who wants to blend style + substance + real ride capability. It’s not perfect for hardcore off-roading or full tour displacement, but it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s real-world ready, and that makes it exciting. As a founder-rider, I’m always looking for machines that speak to ride culture first not just spec sheets eand this one checks that box.

If you’re hunting for your next “own machine” in the 150–200 cc zone, this should be on your shortlist. And if you’re in a riding group or club, it might be the bike that stands out while still blending in with the ride.

Ride smarter with Asteride

Track the XSR 155 and other bikes in your group ride list, compare real-world experiences, and see which machine fits your ride style best. With Asteride you can:

• Discover riding groups who’ve test-ridden this machine

• Log your ride, track real use and feedback

• Share impressions with other riders in the community

📲 Download Asteride – built for riders who care about every mile.