Yamaha YZF-R15 is one of the most important models of the company in India. The R15 was one of the first fully-faired affordable sports bikes India. The motorcycle got a facelift in 2011 and was christened YZF-R15 V2.0. Reports had indicated an all new generation of the motorcycle is imminent in 2017.

New spy pictures by iwanbanaran.com show the 2016 model update of the R15 with three new colours. The 2016 model doesn't include any changes in design or powertrain, but adds a signature Racing blue colour, apart from the grey and red & white combination. The pictures were taken at a dealership in Indonesia and the update is expected to keep the motorcycle fresh till the arrival of the new-generation model in 2017.

Going by the naming strategy of Yamaha, the next generation model is expected to be called the R15 V3.0. The new R15 will be based on the same Deltabox frame that underpins the current R15. Reworked body panels and cosmetic changes can be expected. The new motorcycle is expected to share many components with the recently launched naked version, the M-Slaz. The digital instrument cluster with blue background lights, upside-down front forks and LED headlamp can be expected in the new R15.

The motorcycle is expected to be powered by the same 149cc single cylinder liquid-cooled engine. The engine develops 16.7bhp at 8,500rpm and 15Nm of torque at 7,500rpm in the current R15 2.0. These figures are expected to be increased in the new model. The six-speed transmission will remain unchanged.