KTM RC 160 vs Yamaha R15

Prices, specs and on-road cost, side by side. Updated 1 Oct 2026.

KTM RC 160
Yamaha R15

KTM

RC 160

From ₹2 Lakh

Full RC 160 page Change

Yamaha

R15

From ₹1.59 Lakh

Full R15 page Change
KTM RC 160RC 160 · ₹2 Lakh
Yamaha R15R15S · ₹1.59 Lakh

What's different

On the versions picked above

Price RC 160: ₹2 Lakh R15: ₹1.59 Lakh (ahead) R15 ₹41,141 cheaper
Braking RC 160: Dual-channel ABS R15: Dual-channel ABS
Mileage RC 160: Not published R15: 45 kmpl Claimed
Power RC 160: 18.73 bhp (ahead) R15: 18.4 PS Torque 15.5 vs 14.2 Nm
Weight RC 160: 154 kg R15: 141 kg Seat height 824 vs 815 mm
Versions RC 160: 1 R15: 3 (ahead)

Pick the RC 160 for more power.

Pick the R15 for the lower price and more versions.

Spec by spec

Price

Ex-showroom
₹2 Lakh
₹1.59 Lakh
On-road in
₹2.27 Lakh
₹1.82 Lakh
EMI, 5 years, 20% down
₹3,816 a month
₹3,057 a month

Headline figures

Powertrain
Petrol, manual
Petrol, manual
Power
18.73 bhp
18.4 PS
Torque
15.5 Nm
14.2 Nm
Gearbox
Manual
Manual
Mileage
Not published
45 kmpl

Engine & Transmission

Displacement (cc)
155 cc
155.0 cc
Engine Type
Single Cylinder, 4-Stroke, 4-Valve, DOHC, Liquid-Cooled, FI
4-Stroke, 4-Valve Liquid-Cooled SOHC with Variable Valve Actuation (VVA)
Bore x Stroke
58.0 mm x 58.7 mm
58.0 x 58.7 mm
Compression Ratio
11.5:1
11.6:1
Cooling
Liquid Cooled
Liquid Cooled
Gearbox
6 Speed Manual (1D 5U)
6-Speed Manual with Assist & Slipper Clutch
Clutch
Wet Multiplate Clutch with assist mechanism
Assist & Slipper Clutch with Quickshifter
Drive Type
Chain Drive
Chain Drive

Brakes & Wheels

Front Brake Type & Diameter
Single Disc, 320 mm, ByBre 4-piston radial caliper
282 mm Disc with 2-Piston Caliper
Rear Brake Type & Diameter
Single Disc, 230 mm, ByBre 1-piston floating caliper
220 mm Disc
ABS/CBS Type
Single / Dual Channel ABS (Bosch)
Dual Channel ABS Standard
Wheel Type
17-inch Cast Alloy Wheels
Alloy Wheels with Blue/Gold Accents
Front Tyre Size
110/70-R17 Tubeless
100/80-17 M/C 52P (Tubeless)
Rear Tyre Size
140/60-R17 Tubeless
140/70-R17 M/C 66H (Tubeless Radial)

Suspension & Chassis

Front Suspension
43 mm WP APEX USD Inverted Telescopic Fork (120 mm travel)
37 mm Golden Upside Down (USD) Front Forks
Rear Suspension
WP APEX Monoshock (10-step preload adjustable, 150 mm travel)
Linked-Type Monocross Suspension with Cast Aluminium Swingarm
Frame Type
Steel Trellis Frame with bolt-on subframe
Deltabox Frame
Wheelbase (mm)
1343 mm
1,325 mm
Ground Clearance (mm)
158 mm
170 mm

Dimensions

Length (mm)
1960 mm
1,990 mm
Width (mm)
730 mm
725 mm
Height (mm)
1110 mm
1,135 mm
Seat Height (mm)
824 mm
815 mm
Kerb Weight (kg)
154 kg
141 kg (R15 V4) / 142 kg (R15M)
Fuel Tank Capacity (L)
13.7 L (Reserve 2.5 L)
11.0 Litres

Instrument Cluster

Display Type
LCD Digital Inverted Display
Full Digital TFT Display on R15M (Track & Street Modes, Lap Timer) / LCD Console on V4 with Y-Connect
Bluetooth Connectivity
No
Yes (Yamaha Y-Connect Bluetooth)
Navigation
No
Track Mode Lap Time, Shift Indicator Light, Call & SMS Alerts
USB Charging
No
Optional USB Charging Socket

Safety & Convenience

Riding Modes
None
Dual Riding Display Modes (Track Mode / Street Mode)
Traction Control
No
Traction Control System (TCS Standard)
Quickshifter
No
Quickshifter Standard (Up-Shift on Racing Blue / R15M / Optional on other trims)
Cruise Control
No
No

Lights

Headlight
Halogen Projector Headlamp with LED DRL / Full LED
Class-D Bi-Functional LED Projector Headlight with Twin Aerodynamic LED DRL Brow Strips (YZF-M1 styling)
Taillight
Full LED
Vertical Aero LED Tail Lamp
Turn Indicators
Full LED
LED Indicators (R15M)

Seat & Storage

Seat Type
Split Stepped Racing Seat with Clip-on handlebars
Split Stepped Racing Seat with Pillion Strap (Carbon-style embroidery on R15M)
Under-Seat Storage
Minimal tool kit only
None

Choice

Versions
1 version
3 versions
Price range
₹2 Lakh
₹1.59 Lakh – ₹1.8 Lakh
Colours
3 colours
10 colours

Features are what each maker lists for its top versions. "Not listed" means the maker's sheet does not mention it, not that the vehicle lacks it.

Same engine and gearbox, closest price

Pick a pair to compare those two versions

Petrol, manual

RC 160₹2 Lakh R15 V4 with Quickshifter₹1.8 Lakh R15 ₹20,811 less

On-road price in six cities

RC 160 RC 160 against R15 R15S

CityRC 160R15Gap
Mumbai₹2.33 Lakh₹1.87 LakhR15 ₹46,365 less
Pune₹2.33 Lakh₹1.87 LakhR15 ₹46,365 less
New Delhi₹2.27 Lakh₹1.82 LakhR15 ₹45,131 less
Bengaluru₹2.47 Lakh₹1.98 LakhR15 ₹49,245 less
Chennai₹2.35 Lakh₹1.88 LakhR15 ₹46,777 less
Hyderabad₹2.47 Lakh₹1.93 LakhR15 ₹54,020 less

Ex-showroom price plus road tax, registration and insurance, by each state's rules. Dealers may add handling charges and accessories.

Common questions

Which is cheaper, the RC 160 or the R15?

The R15, by ₹41,141 on the versions compared here: RC 160 RC 160 at ₹2 Lakh against R15 R15S at ₹1.59 Lakh, ex-showroom. On the road in Delhi that becomes ₹2.27 Lakh against ₹1.82 Lakh.

Which is more powerful?

The RC 160 RC 160 makes 18.73 bhp and 15.5 Nm and the R15 R15S makes 18.4 PS and 14.2 Nm.

What is the EMI on each?

About ₹3,816 a month for the RC 160 and ₹3,057 for the R15, on the road in Delhi with 20% down over five years at 9.5%.

Compare the rivals

RC 160 vs Gixxer SF 250 From ₹2 Lakh and ₹1.93 Lakh RC 160 vs R15M From ₹2 Lakh and ₹1.9 Lakh RC 160 vs Karizma XMR From ₹2 Lakh and ₹1.87 Lakh R15 vs Pulsar RS200 From ₹1.59 Lakh and ₹1.81 Lakh R15 vs Karizma XMR From ₹1.59 Lakh and ₹1.87 Lakh R15 vs Gixxer SF 250 From ₹1.59 Lakh and ₹1.93 Lakh
KTM RC 160: every version, spec and on-road price Yamaha R15: every version, spec and on-road price