[libranof1987]

Yamaha R3 & MT-03 Review

Introduction

The 300-400cc segment has seen massive action in the past few months. BMW brought in the updated G310RR, KTM brought in the 2024 Duke 390, ahead of its global launch and that's not it, Aprilia has decided to join the party with the RS 457. That probably stirred up Yamaha and they've brought the R3 back to India. Discontinued a few years ago on the cusp of the BS6 emission regulations, the R3 returns to India, bringing along its naked sibling, the MT-03, both bikes in their BS6 avatar. Yamaha intends to sell these bikes as CBU (Completely Built Unit), importing them from Indonesia.



If the news of the impending launch of these two bikes got everyone excited and hopeful, seeing a similar bike as the one that was discontinued serves as a dampener. As for the one thing that could have made a strong case for the bike, given it is already outdated vs. its peers - the price - read on.

Yamaha R3 & MT-03 Pricing

The Yamaha R3 has been launched at Rs. 4,64,900, and the MT-03 at Rs. 4,59,900, both ex-showroom Delhi. Naturally, this price point lands these twins in very sticky waters, given how overpriced they seem over their peers. What puts Yamaha further on shaky grounds is how barebones the two bikes are compared to competition, and the minuscule updates over the earlier versions.

Yamaha and their dealers have their work cut out in selling these bikes. You'd have to try really hard to feel the call of blue in buying either of these bikes.

[libranof1987]

Design & Styling

The Yamaha R3 is a very handsome bike. It is several years old already, it is simple in its styling without a lot of curves or design elements, but it looks timeless. Yamaha has made no changes to the earlier version that was sold in India and has relied on subtlety in the looks department.

The MT-03 on the other hand is every bit bold and in-your-face. The front looks aggressive, but that's where the experimentation ends. The tank and beyond, the MT-03 too is similar to the R3.



There have been minimal changes in the new R3; in the aesthetics department, it just gets a slightly redesigned tank and LED lights all around.

Build Quality, Fit & Finish

The Japanese don't skim on fit and finish. Both bikes have solid build quality, which leaves little to be desired.

Features and Instrumentation

Yamaha has kept the R3 and MT-03, unfortunately, very simple. While the 2023 version does get a fully LCD centre console, it still allows and displays very basic functionality.

Wheels & Tyres

The R3 and MT-03, both get a 110/70/R17 wheel at the front and a 140/70/R17 wheel at the rear. Both wheels get the Dunlop Sportmax GPR-300 tubeless tyres. There are alloy wheels on the front and rear, and come painted in the shade of the bike.

Fuel Tank Capacity

The R3 and MT-03 come with a 14-litre fuel tank. The new BS6 engine powering these bikes is compliant with up to 10% ethanol blending.

Ergonomics and Comfort

Both the bikes offer the same seat height, at 780mm. With this seat, most riders will be able to have their feet firmly planted on the ground easily. While the R3 gets a clip-on handlebar, it still doesn't necessitate a very committed riding position. It is fairly comfortable and you won't feel the need for a physiotherapist if you use this bike as a daily. The MT-03 gets a flat handlebar, which means you sit even more upright, making riding effortless.

Perched higher than the rider, the pillion, though, doesn't have it as easy, with a narrow, short rear seat. No grab handles either.

Footpeg positioning is spot on, allowing for effortless braking, and gear shifts:

[libranof1987]

Riding the Yamaha R3 & MT-03

The R3 and MT-03 get a four-stroke, liquid-cooled engine with a 321cc displacement that puts out a maximum power of 42 BHP at 10,750 rpm, and a max. torque of 29.6 Nm at 9,000 rpm. In terms of tuning, there's not much of a difference between the R3 and the MT-03 and both the bikes feel almost identical in the way they deliver power. The power figures remain the same as the earlier R3. The only difference is that the engine is now BS6 compliant. And it is compliant with up to 10% ethanol blending.

We got to ride the bikes at the Buddh International Circuit for a few laps, so my observations are limited to the track experience. For starters, just like the BS4 version, this BS6 engine also feels refined. The engine is fairly fun to ride offering an enthusiastic low-end torque, and a mid-range that will keep you sufficiently engaged. The engine note is very subdued and not that loud when you climb up the revv range. With a top speed of ~ 165 - 170 km/h, the bikes were good fun on the long straights of the track. The wide power band ensures that the bikes should be fun to ride even in the city.

Refinement & NVH

The refinement on both bikes is excellent, with vibrations barely making their presence felt at high speeds.

Suspension and Handling

This is an area that has gotten a major upgrade. Both the R3 and MT-03 now get Upside-Down Telescopic Forks at the front with a 37mm inner tube and an adjustable swingarm at the rear.

Since we rode just on track, ride quality on average road conditions is yet to be tested. But on track, the bike is very composed and handles very well as you move from high-speed straights to sweeping corners. You can shift your weight at ease, and navigate corners at good speeds.

Braking

The Yamaha R3 and MT-03 get a 298 mm hydraulic single disc at the front, and a 220 mm hydraulic single disc on the rear wheel. Both bikes get ABS as standard equipment.

Braking is fairly adequate and will suffice most riding conditions. When riding aggressively on track though, you will notice the rear sliding out just a bit when braking hard on corners.

[libranof1987]

Yamaha R3 Images

The R3 comes in two colours - Icon Blue...


...and the Yamaha Black:


The front gets a 110/70/R17 wheel, shod with Dunlop Sportmax GPR-300 rubber:


While the rear has a 140/70/R17 wheel, with the same tyre make:


Do note that the wheel alloys get the colour of the bike. The first big change on the 2023 R3 - the front gets Telescopic Upside Down (USD) Forks:


Next round of changes includes LEDs for the headlights and front indicators...


...and the rear too:


The fairing and body graphics are new:


Braking duties are handled by single-disc calipers - 298 mm at the front, and 220 mm at the rear. ABS is standard:


Seat height at 780 mm is good to allow most riders to have their feet planted on the ground:


Clip-on handlebar allows for a fairly relaxed riding stance, it isn't as committed as most faired bikes demand:


You get the standard set of warning and info lights and can see the odometer, trip 1 and 2 meters, fuel consumption, oil temperature, fuel status, and a tachometer. There are no riding modes, no Traction Control, no Lap/Track time info, and no Bluetooth connectivity.


The fuel tank can carry 14 litres. Do note the compliance with ethanol blending, E5, E10 to indicate up to a 10% blend:


Footpegs are carried over from the earlier version:


A large radiator in the large cavity behind the front wheel:

[libranof1987]

Yamaha MT-03 Images

The MT-03 gets two colour schemes - the Midnight Cyan...


... and Midnight Black:


The naked version of the R3, the MT-03 gets a bold front:


The MT-03 differs from the R3 at the front, with typical MT-series styling for the headlight cluster, and a redesigned tank + tank shrouds:


LEDs standard for lights:


The MT-03 gets a 780mm seat height, the same as the R3:


The MT-03 gets the same wheels and tyres as the R3, and the alloys come painted in the shade of the bike:


A flat handlebar for the MT-03 allows for a slightly more upright riding stance, compared to the R3:


The clutch lever cannot be adjusted:



Neither can the brake lever:


The right stalk gets the engine ignition and kill switch, and button for hazard lights:


Things are simple on the left with buttons for the headlight, indicator, high beam flasher, and the horn. Just like old times:


From the seat to the back, the design is the same as the R3:


Disclaimer: Yamaha invited Team-BHP for the R3 & MT-03 track day. They covered all the travel expenses for this event.

[Omkar]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[vattyboy]

I am disappointed by Yamaha.

1. The 140-section rear tyre on the bike with close to 5 lakhs on-road price is very disappointing.

2. They should have bumped up the power figures of the R3 like KTM did in its new-gen Duke 390.

3. The bike looks small in dimensions, don't look like a 5 lakh bike.

4. Pricing is also high, it should be close to 4 lakh ex-showroom.

5. There are very few Service centres that can service R3 and even if they do, the service experience is not as premium as it should be for a 5 lakh bike.

Considering all the above factors, this time again this bike will see very few buyers.

[Burgman_tales]

The R3 looks like it's 10-15 years old

[parrys]

These bikes deserve to gather dust in the stockyard, not even in the showrooms.
Yamaha is delusional that they would taste success with these two products, especially at these prices.

How many years did it take for Yamaha to bring back the R3 to India? This is all they were capable of? What a shame.

[anshumandun]

R3 is the only bike that can make the Ninja400 good value!

R3 will stay what it was; a very niche product. Pure mechanical riding pleasure with minimal electronic interference at an exorbitant price.

Originally Posted by vattyboy

The 140-section rear tyre on the bike with close to 5 lakhs on-road price is very disappointing.

The 140 section tyre is more than enough to put down the power that the engine makes while still keeping the handling agile. Bigger price does not mean fatter tyre.

[AseemYadav]

Since I was looking for a twin cylinder bike to keep for life, R3 was certainly on the cards. If it had been priced at par with Rs457, inspite of its lack of features, I would have bought it. CBU is a death knell, I think. This is an exercise in futility. Pre 2020 was different, as there were hardly any options.

[ishan0278]

Just a small Correction
The 2018 Bike came with Dual Channel ABS.

[saikishor]

Originally Posted by parrys

These bikes deserve to gather dust in the stockyard, not even in the showrooms.
Yamaha is delusional that they would taste success with these two products, especially at these prices.

How many years did it take for Yamaha to bring back the R3 to India? This is all they were capable of? What a shame.

Sir, with all due respect that was a little harsh. The company is to be blamed here and not the poor bikes. No doubt these are excellent machines and I am saying this without even riding them.But still, these bikes are overpriced and there is no second thought about it. CBU is to be blamed for such high prices. 3.8 lacs ex showroom would have been the perfect price for this motorcycle IMO. Yamaha should have atleast taken the CKD route to knock of 20-30k rupees off the price tag. Previous R3 was a CKD only.

I don't know what Yamaha was thinking when they were deciding on the price.

Also, the switchgear quality looks horrible in the pictures. Do notice the horrible horn placement on the switchgear. It will be a pain to use in a traffic ridden country like India.

[vzvish91]

Read this interesting comment somewhere, and it got me thinking!
Previous model of R3 available in India was a CKD, but this new one is a CBU. Looks like Yamaha is trying to gather clearance sale pieces from around the world and then stock dump those in India, before they internationally launch its new model next year 2024!
What are your thoughts?

MotorInc's take on Yamaha R3/Mt03 :

https://youtu.be/qx2DO6BcexU?si=7EykWLyoh8xzeuYU

EDIT:
Update on my comment above:
Checkout Shumi's take on it in the MotorInc video from 34:22 timestamp.

[Skyline_GT]

These overpriced figures north of 4.5L makes the already overpriced Ninja 300 look like a steal of a bargain!
At 3.40 ex-showroom the baby Ninja gets a much larger 17L fuel tank, 39 bhp and far smoother riding experience. The only thing it misses out on it we compare it to the R3 is the analogue instrument cluster compared to the digital one on R3