Japanese motorcycle maker, Yamaha has announced revised pricing for the YZF-R1 and MT-09 post the recently announced 25 percent drop in CBU custom duties. At present, these are the only two bikes that are imported to India from Japan by the company as CBUs. The YZF-R1 and MT-09 now retail for Rs 18.1 lakh (originally Rs 20.7 lakh) and Rs 9.5 lakh (originally Rs 10.8 lakh), making them cheaper by Rs 2.6 lakh and Rs 1.3 lakh, respectively (all prices, ex-showroom, Delhi).
The YZF-R1 is an all-out supersport and the manufacturer’s flagship motorcycle in India. It powered by a 998cc, cross-plane, flat, four-cylinder, four-valve engine that develops 200hp and 112.4Nm of torque. Available in two paint shades – Yamaha Blue and Tech Black.
The MT-09 is the company’s mid-capacity sport-naked motorcycle that is known for its aggressive styling and riding dynamics. Powering it is a 847cc, three-cylinder, liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine that makes 115hp and 87.5Nm of torque. The MT-09 is available in three colours – Yamaha Blue, Tech Black and Night Fluo.
If you read our 2018 Yamaha MT-09 review, you would know that the motorcycle’s older Rs 10.8 lakh price tag was one of its biggest drawbacks. The new pricing of Rs 9.5 lakh puts it closer to Triumph’s Street Triple S that is now priced at Rs 9.19 lakh (red) and Rs 9.32 lakh (black). It is also considerably more affordable than the Street Triple RS that has now had its price hiked to Rs 11.13 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom). Triumph recently increased the prices across its range of CKD motorcycles following the 5 percent hike in import duty on CKDs that came with the 2018 budget. Prior to this, the Triumphs had a big advantage over the Yamaha and even the Street Triple RS was more affordable by around Rs 25,000.
In case you’re wondering why a 25 percent duty cut for CBUs has only resulted in a 10 percent drop in prices on average, we have an interesting article here that explains how the numbers add up.