India is one of the largest two-wheeler markets in the world and being a developing country the demand for mobility solutions is ever-increasing. The huge population of the country demands a variety of choices and so we have a lot of new motorcycles and scooters coming up every now and then. The buying decision of a two-wheeler depends on various factors like looks of the product, features, performance, 'Kitna deti hai' a.k.a. mileage but the most important factor one often considers while buying a motorcycle in India is its Price. So, today we have a very special comparo of two motorcycles from different categories: one is a 150cc streetfighter while the other is a 250cc all-rounder but they cost almost the same and so the question arises which one should you buy? To answer this question, here is a detailed spec-comparo of the 2020 Yamaha FZ 25 BS6 vs MT 15 BS6.
Looks and Colour Options
Yamaha has revealed the official images of the upcoming 2020 Yamaha FZ 25 BS6 and it looks macho than before. It gets subtle cosmetic upgrades over its predecessor and now features an all-LED projector headlamp, underbelly cowl, sharp tank extensions and a silver-coloured muffler on the exhaust. Aesthetically, the bike looks much better than before and the FZ 25 BS6 will be offered in two colour shades Metallic Black and Racing Blue. Moreover, Yamaha will also launch the FZS 25 that will get knuckle guards, gold-painted alloys and will be offered in Dark Cyan, Dark Blue and Metallic White colour shades.
Yamaha MT 15 is a naked streetfighter motorcycle and it does look a class apart than any other motorcycle in its segment. The MT 15 has impeccable styling and upfront it gets an all-LED projector headlight with LED eyebrows that gives it an aggressive look and thus is widely also known as the Baby Samurai. The motorcycle gets a quirky rear-end with a high raised LED taillight and side-mounted grab-rails. The MT 15 BS6 is now available in three colour options - Dark Matt Blue, Metallic Black, and famous International colour shade Ice Fluo-Vermillion.
Engine and Transmission
| Specification | FZ 25 BS6 | MT 15 BS6 |
| Engine | 249cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected | 155cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected |
| Max. Power | 20.8 PS at 8000 RPM | 18.5 PS at 10000 RPM |
| Max. Torque | 20.1 Nm at 6000 RPM | 13.9 Nm at 8500 RPM |
| Cooling System | air-cooled | liquid-cooled |
| Transmission | 5-speed | 6-speed |
| Emission Norm | BS6 | BS6 |
The upcoming FZ 25 BS6 will be powered by a 249cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, SOHC, four-stroke engine that delivers 20.8 PS of power at 8,000 RPM and 20.1 Nm of peak torque at 6,000 RPM, mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Yamaha MT 15 gets the same engine that also powers the R15 V3. It is a BS6-compliant 155cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected, liquid-cooled motor that churns out 18.5 PS of power at 10000 RPM and 13.9 Nm of torque at 8500 RPM, mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox.
So, in the engine department, while the FZ 25 BS6 produces more power and torque and seems a good tourer, the MT 15 gets a high-revving engine with better hardware and 6 gears. The MT 15 also gets Yamaha's high-performance VVA (Variable Valve Actuation) system that provides torque for ease of use even at low RPMs and it also gets assist & slipper clutch.
Chassis and Suspension
| Specification | FZ 25 BS6 | MT 15 BS6 |
| Chassis | Diamond Frame | Deltabox Frame |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic Shock Absorbers | Telescopic forks |
| Rear Suspension | 7-Step adjustable monocross suspension | Linked-type monocross suspension |
Yamaha FZ 25 is based on a diamond frame while the MT 15 sits on a deltabox perimeter frame. Both the motorcycles get telescopic forks at the front and mono-shock absorber at the rear.
Tyres and Brakes
| Specification | FZ 25 BS6 | MT 15 BS6 |
| Tyre Size | Front 100/80-17 Rear 140/70-17 | Front 100/80-17 Rear 140/70-R17 |
| Tyre Type | tubeless | tubeless |
| Wheel type | alloy | alloy |
| Front Brake | disc | disc |
| Rear Brake | disc | disc |
| Additional safety aid | ABS (dual-channel) | ABS (single-channel) |
The braking duties of both the motorcycles are handled by disc brakes at both the ends. However, while the FZ 25 gets a dual-channel ABS, the MT 15 only gets a single-channel ABS (anti-lock braking system) for added safety. The MT 15 also gets a radial tyre at the rear.
Dimensions and Capacity
| Specification | FZ 25 BS6 | MT 15 BS6 |
| Length | 2015 mm | 2020 mm |
| Width | 775 mm | 800 mm |
| Height | 1075 mm | 1070 mm |
| Seat Height | 795 mm | 810 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1360 mm | 1335 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160 mm | 170 mm |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14 L | 10 L |
| Weight | 153 kgs | 138 kgs |
Features
The 2020 Yamaha FZ 25 gets a new LCD display for the all-digital instrument cluster and it is loaded with all the trip-related information along with check engine indicator and real-time mileage. The MT 15 gets an even better all-digital instrument cluster with a negative display that shows various information like a gear-position indicator, gear-shift indicator and more.
Price
| Price | FZ 25 BS6 | MT 15 BS6 |
| (Ex-showroom Delhi) | Rs. 1.40 lakhs Rs. 1.45 lakhs (Expected) | Rs. 1.39 lakhs |
Yamaha FZ 25 BS6 will be launched in India post the upliftment of the nationwide lockdown. It is expected to be priced around Rs. 1.40 lakhs - Rs. 1.45 lakhs, Ex-showroom. The Yamaha MT 15 BS6 is priced at Rs. 1.39 lakhs, Ex-showroom for Blue and Black colour shades while the new International colour variant demands an additional 500 rupees.
Coming to our main question, which motorcycle should you buy and why? So, if you want a quarter-litre motorcycle for daily city-usage, occasional weekend getaways and long-distance touring, the FZ 25 should be your pick as it is more practical, has a larger fuel tank, better drivability across the rev band and more. But if you are someone who wants an aggressive-looking motorcycle with power-packed performance, more features and better hardware, the MT 15 is the bike you should go for. It is also lighter by a good 15 kgs, thus aiding handling and peppiness of the motor.
This was our spec-based comparo of the 2020 Yamaha FZ 25 BS6 vs MT 15 BS6. Which among these will be your pick? Share with us in the comments below.
