Yamaha Trademarks YZF-R2 Name in India

Yamaha Motor India has filed a trademark for the 'YZF-R2' designation, sparking interest in a possible new fully-faired sportbike in the 200cc segment.

The model would most likely slot above the popular YZF-R15 and fill the gap left by the recent discontinuation of the larger R3 and MT-03.

The R2 name was initially registered in overseas markets like Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the Philippines in 2021, with no subsequent developments until the recent Indian filing. This move is viewed primarily as protecting the name for future possibilities rather than confirming an imminent launch.

If introduced, the YZF-R2 is expected to use a single-cylinder engine around 200cc, offering higher output than the R15's 155cc unit (18.4 hp, 14.2 Nm). Unlike the parallel-twin R25 sold in markets such as Indonesia (35.5 bhp, 22.5 Nm), the Indian version is likely to stick with a single-cylinder layout to manage costs and complexity.

Speculation about replacing the R15 appears unlikely, given its strong sales performance. So, this speculated Yamaha R2 could rival the KTM RC 200 here in India.

Separately, dealerships in cities like Delhi and Mumbai report no fresh stock of the imported R3 and MT-03 for several months, indicating their quiet withdrawal from the market. Despite price reductions earlier in 2025, the CBU models struggled against locally produced rivals.

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