[TusharK]

Yamaha India chairman Eishin Chihana has revealed that the bike maker plans to launch the R3 and MT-03 in India by the end of this fiscal year.



The Yamaha R3 and MT-03 were showcased at a dealer conference in April this year. As per the latest reports, the R3 could go on sale in India sometime after December 2023. Whether the MT-03 will be launched alongside the R3 remains to be seen.

The Yamaha R3 is a fully-faired bike that will be positioned above the YZF R15. It is powered by a 321cc, liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine that makes 42 BHP and 29.5 Nm.

The MT-03 is the naked version of the R3. It uses the same 321cc engine and is expected to compete with the KTM Duke 390. The R3, on the other hand, will rival the KTM RC 390.

Source: Autocar India

Link to Team-BHP News

[Senotrius]

Better late than never I guess. Plus, more choice is always good in this segment. Waiting for the Honda twins.

[aravind.anand]

While having a choice is good, I cannot understand why Yamaha needs time until December, to launch a CKD bike that has been in the market for 2 years now. It is a delayed launch, and without localization, the price is going to be its biggest competition.

Yamaha can actually build a single-cylinder R2 locally, which will help convert a huge chunk of their happy R15 customers.

[shashank.nk]

Does it make sense to buy a used R3 now or wait a few more months for the launch ? The new model gets USD forks, all digital display and a slipper clutch when compared to the old bike. However, I think the OTR in Bangalore might be closer to 5L as the old model sold for 4.4 before being discontinued and it was a CKD unit.

A 2019 R3 is on sale for 3.05 before negotiating. Does it make sense to get it for 2.7-2.8L or so ?

[dkar228]

Originally Posted by shashank.nk

Does it make sense to buy a used R3 now or wait a few more months for the launch ? The new model gets USD forks, all digital display and a slipper clutch when compared to the old bike. However, I think the OTR in Bangalore might be closer to 5L as the old model sold for 4.4 before being discontinued and it was a CKD unit.

A 2019 R3 is on sale for 3.05 before negotiating. Does it make sense to get it for 2.7-2.8L or so ?

Waiting makes sense if you are willing to pay for the new one.
It is a good bike but many might be put off(imo) by the price because of the Speed 400 and KTM 390.

Looks like Yamaha is planning to keep the bigger bikes in India by upgrading their infrastructure.

[dkar228]

Originally Posted by aravind.anand

While having a choice is good, I cannot understand why Yamaha needs time until December, to launch a CKD bike that has been in the market for 2 years now. It is a delayed launch, and without localization, the price is going to be its biggest competition.

They might be waiting for some number of the showrooms to be converted to Blue Square showroom before bringing in these bikes. Plus they also need to train the technicians as well. Just launching the bike will not be enough.
This is just a thought I have and might be completely wrong. Will be nice to hear from other Yamaha fans.

[RD150]

Such a laid back attitude from Yamaha. A clear indication they are just happy selling 150cc bikes and scooters. Speed 400 is available, Apache 310 rtr would be launched soon, and I am sure even the 2024 Duke will get launched before the R3, MT03. Agreed these are singles but will be producing similar power figures. When market is demanding 250-300 cc single cylinder bike, Yamaha is planning to launch Twins. ��

[TusharK]

Yamaha R3 & MT-03 India launch in December

According to a media report, Yamaha is planning to launch the R3 and MT-03 in India this December.



The Yamaha R3 is a fully-faired bike that will be positioned above the YZF R15. It is powered by a 321cc, liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine that makes 42 BHP and 29.5 Nm.

The R3 is expected to rival the Kawasaki Ninja 400 and soon-to-be-launched Aprilia RS 457.



The MT-03 is the naked version of the R3. It uses the same 321cc engine and is expected to compete with the KTM Duke 390.

Both models will be sold via Yamaha's premium Blue Square dealerships.

Source: Autocar India

[parrys]

They might as well cancel this plan.

Ever since they discontinued the R3 in India, Aprilia started planning the RS457, design & develop it, and also reveal it as production ready. Meanwhile Yamaha could not make up their mind to relaunch an existing product with some revisions.

Go back to sleep Yamaha.
I doubt this is a product problem, because they have good products worldwide.
I see this as leadership and commitment problem, towards premium motorcycles in India.

Except for the R15, MT15 & Aerox 155, everything else in the showroom is lacklustre...

[ProLearner]

Yamaha has not launched any new big bike since 2019.
They only had to bring CKD units from Thailand just after the earlier big bike showcase, which would have benefit both the company & buyers and would have started some sales and buzz. Later they could start production here.

Kawasaki is doing better, bringing in the ZX4R, Ninja 400, Updating the 300 and having steady sales. Even the Aprilia RS457 is ready now. Yamaha should pick up pace.

[anshumandun]

Even thought there are several other reasons to choose the Duke390 over MT03, but the biggest reason for me would be to give Yamaha the same third grade treatment that it is giving to India. It's not like that they don't have good products, they just don't want to sell us the good products.

Happy selling third grade scooters Yamaha! I understand Aerox is good but they again cheaped out by swapping the globally available suspension with a cheap back breaking setup.

[AtheK]

They are bring in in R3 as CBU? Wow, that will make the price skyrocket, I saw the Aprilia RS457 in budhh yesterday, looks like a nice flickable bike. It looks small and well built and comes across very good looking. Aprilia has a chance to make a mark, price it well and see it Sell, if they get the price right, I might as well get one for me.

R3 already looks so dated in it's current avatar, looks like a bike from 5 years back, would be very tough to sell it. Yamaha can use that as an excuse to cover up the incompetent management they have hired, justifying to bosses back in Japan that why it was never a good idea to get R3 to India to begin with.

Yamaha should just concentrate on selling scooters and R15's, they are not serious about indian market, nor should we be. The market has moved on, Indian customers have choices today and we should also invest in companies who are more commited to invest back into bike riders. Kawasaki is our Japanese friend which Yamaha could never be.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by anshumandun

I understand Aerox is good but they again cheaped out by swapping the globally available suspension with a cheap back breaking setup.

Let's not forget the poor sales and service support from these Blue Square dealerships.

Yamaha is nowhere as consistent as Kawasaki in their desire to bring big bikes to India - even the ZX4R is now here, whereas Yamaha is still thinking on the R3. I think I would be more comfortable with a Ninja 400 than the Yamaha R3, unless the R3 is priced more towards the KTM RC390 than the Ninja 400.

[.sourov]

The Blue Square dealerships have started to accept the booking for R3 and MT-03 since yesterday.
One my friend was first person to book from the Koramangla dealership.
Expected delivery date last week of January and OTR above 5.2 in Bangalore.