Yamaha’s XSR155 May Join U.S. Lineup
If rumors bubbling up from seemingly every corner of the internet are true, U.S. riders will soon see another model added to Yamaha’s XSR lineup. Although the XSR155 has been available in Asia since 2019, recently uncovered filings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate that the small-bore, neo-retro bike is heading to our shores, likely as a 2027 model.
We say “likely” because Yamaha has not yet made an official announcement. If the model does arrive, the XSR155 will join the XSR900, XSR700 and V Star 250 in the brand’s Sport Heritage series. Although it is possible that the long-in-the-tooth V Star will ride off into the sunset with this new addition. Time will tell.
A Not-So-Mini Standard
If you’re familiar with Yamaha’s naming convention, you know the XSR series pays homage to the brand’s historic line of 1970s parallel-twin standards, such as the XS650, while blending “neo-retro design and modern sport performance.”
Regardless of how Yamaha describes it, the 155 is objectively a great-looking machine, especially for a beginner bike. Lovely details and retro-flavored cues include a classic 2.6 gal fuel tank, with knee cutouts, an inverted fork, a round LED headlight and a single-piece tuck-and-roll seat. These features keep it in line with the design language of its larger XSR700 and XSR900 siblings.
A circular instrument cluster houses an LCD display, while Bluetooth connectivity is available through the Y-Connect app. Perhaps the most impressive feature, though, is the 155 cc engine. This is no basic air-cooled mill; it’s a liquid-cooled single with Variable Valve Actuation housed in a rigid Deltabox frame.
We’ll admit that 155 cc is an odd displacement figure, especially for the United States, but Yamaha makes you look the other way by giving the wee XSR features you would never expect to find on an entry-level, small-bore standard. We’re talking about a six-speed gearbox with an assist-and-slipper clutch, a 37 mm inverted fork, disc brakes with dual-channel ABS, and traction control.
The bike is currently available only in certain Asian markets, so we referenced Yamaha’s India website for specifications. There, we found peak output for the fuel-injected single listed as 18 hp at 10,000 rpm, with 10.4 lb-ft of torque at 7,500 rpm.
It’s also encouraging to see that although the XSR155 is compact, it isn’t exactly a mini moto. It’s a reasonably full-size machine that rolls on 17 in wheels with a wide 140 mm rear tire. It has an approachable 31.8 in seat height and an approximate curb weight of 300 lb.
We assume most of those numbers will carry over to the U.S. model, though there may be slight differences because of market regulations.
You Can Make It Your Own
Impressive specifications notwithstanding, part of the XSR155’s appeal lies in the fact that it is highly customizable and can be fitted with a variety of OEM or aftermarket parts. That’s something of a rarity in the entry-level bike segment.
Yamaha has released several add-on accessory “kits” in Asian countries to emphasize that quality, and we’ll admit that they look pretty cool.
The mere speculation that the bike is coming to the United States has generated significant interest online, which bodes well for the small XSR. How many units Yamaha ultimately sells here will likely come down to the XSR155’s price tag, assuming the rumors are true.
Marketplace Inventory
Andrew Cherney
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