Yamaha YZF-R2 Trademark Re-Registered in the United States

• ‘YZF-R2’ trademark has been re-registered
• Filing likely linked to updated US trademark regulations
• Bike likely to be based on a reworked R15 engine

Yamaha has re-registered the ‘YZF-R2’ trademark in the United States. The brand first trademarked the name back in 2021 along with the YZF-R9. The re-registration is likely done to comply with new trademark laws that prevent companies from sitting on ‘zombie trademarks’ of products they don’t intend to produce.

While trademark filings do not confirm a production model, the move suggests Yamaha may still be evaluating the YZF-R2 nameplate for future use. Like the Yamaha R9, the R2 could go into production in the near future. The Japanese bikemaker had recently trademarked the same in India. It makes sense for Yamaha to launch the R2 here.

Currently, Yamaha only has the R15 in the entry-level 150cc-160cc sportsbike segment. This has left a gap in its portfolio, leaving the brand with no presence in the 200cc sportbike segment. If launched, the R2 could compete with motorcycles such as the KTM RC200 and Hero Karizma XMR 210.

This upcoming sportsbike could be powered by an enlarged version of the Yamaha R15’s 155cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine, which produces 18.1bhp and 14.2Nm. The 200cc avatar could produce around 24.6bhp and 19Nm.

The new bike will not be an upgrade from the Yamaha R15, and instead will be aimed at first-time buyers who are looking for something more powerful. Information about the upcoming motorcycle is sparse, but we expect it to come to India by the festive season of 2026 or early 2027. It could be priced around the 2 lakh to 2.20 lakh mark (ex-showroom).