Yamaha fans, we know you’ve been waiting for this one! The Yamaha R3 and the MT-03 have finally been launched after what seemed like an eternity. While the Yamaha MT-03 can be had from Rs 4.59 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards, the R3 carries a sticker price of Rs 4.59 lakh (ex-showroom). Interestingly, this comes after the Aprilia RS 457 that was showcased at the India Bike Week 2023, carrying a price tag of Rs 4.1 lakh (ex-showroom).
We were fortunate enough to sample the Yamaha MT-03 and the R3 in the beautiful country of Thailand, so you can just click here in case you just want to know what it’s like to ride these motorcycles. While the R3 has been in the Indian market before, the MT-03 is making its debut here. In terms of design, the R3 bears heavy resemblance to the third-gen R15, which is upto you to decide if it’s a good thing or a bad thing. We aren’t complaining, though. Similarly, the MT-03 also looks like a grown-up version of the MT-15, appearing slightly tougher.
The underpinnings are shared across both models, which means they both get the diamond-frame chassis, the 321 cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine producing 41.4 bhp at 10,750 rpm and 3 kgm of torque at 9000 rpm, paired to a six-speed transmission. Both bikes use a 298 mm disc with dual-piston callipers up front, and a 220 mm disc with a single-piston calliper at the rear, while the suspension is also shared; 37 mm USD forks and a monoshock. Even the seat height on both motorcycles is the exact same; 780 mm. With a kerb weight of 169 kg, these motorcycles should be fairly easy to handle as well.
Aside from dual-channel ABS, the R3 and the MT-03 offer a basic digital instrument cluster, a gear position indicator, water temperature indicator, oil change indicator, and all-LED lighting.
Both motorcycles give you the option to choose from two paint schemes; the Yamaha R3 can be had in either icon blue or Yamaha black, the MT-03 is being offered in midnight blue, and midnight black paint schemes. The R3 competes against the Aprilia RS 457, and also the likes of the KTM RC 390 and the Kawasaki Ninja 400. Meanwhile the MT-03 has no direct rivals, but customers shopping in the faired sportsbike segment could potentially take a look at it too.
