Yamaha could be working on launching a retro-classic motorcycle in the Indian market based on the Yamaha FZ series motorcycles. The brand’s XSR series motorcycle which is quite popular in the international market could arrive on Indian streets soon. A test mule of the Yamaha XSR testing on public roads in Delhi with heavy camouflage covers leads us to believe that the Japanese brand is planning to expand its portfolio in India.
In the international markets where the Yamaha XSR 155 comes with a 155cc liquid-cooled engine, the test mule appears to have an air-cooled block. The engine also does not appear to have an oil-cooler leading us to believe that Yamaha could be using the powertrain from the FZ (150cc) and not the FZ250. The 155cc liquid-cooled engine on the international-spec model borrows the powertrain from the Yamaha R15 but this will just make the XSR costly, especially for the price-sensitive Indian market. By using a 150cc air-cooled engine the brand will be able to price the motorcycle competitively in India. The performance-packed 155cc engine from the YZF-R15 also doesn’t make sense on the much-relaxed character of the XSR.
According to the spy shots, the Yamaha XSR test mule features a large fuel tank, upright handlebars, mildly forward-set footpegs, a bench-style seat, telescopic front forks with rubber gaiters, aluminium alloy wheels, a monoshock rear suspension, rounded headlamp, disc brakes on both ends, a side slung upswept exhaust, a rear mud hugger, an engine guard and pillion grab rails.
Powering the Yamaha FZ and FZ-S (150cc) in the Indian market is the 149cc air-cooled four-stroke two-valve SOHC motor that makes 12.4 PS of power and 13.6 Nm of torque. Powering the FZ25 in India is a 249cc single-cylinder 4-stroke 2-valve SOHC engine with fuel injection that makes 20.8 PS of power and 20.1 Nm of torque. Both engines come with a 5-speed gearbox.