- Both bikes to be launched in India on 15 December
- Powered by a 321cc, twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled motor
- Will rival the KTM RC 390, Kawasaki Ninja 300, and more
Yamaha will launch the YZF-R3 and the MT-03 in India on 15 December. Both bikes will debut together and our review of the Japanese twins will be out very soon. Here is what you should know if you are planning to purchase either.
The Yamaha YZF-R3 and MT-03 are based on the same platform but differ in terms of design. So, the two models use the same 321cc, twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled motor. It makes 42bhp and 29.6Nm and is linked to a six-speed gearbox. Then, the features list includes LED illumination and an LCD with a host of readouts, including a speedometer, odometer, trip meter, tachometer, gear position indicator, and fuel level readout. However, both bikes do not get Bluetooth connectivity.
Even the hardware is identical on the Yamaha MT-03 and the YZF-R3. Both ride on USD front forks and a monoshock. Then, the braking hardware includes a single front and rear disc with dual-channel ABS. These are mounted on 17-inch wheels wrapped in road-biased rubber.
While the R3 gets full-faired bodywork with a split LED headlight and a duct in between, the MT-03 is a thoroughbred naked motorcycle. It features a single-pod headlight with a projector LED in the centre flanked by DRLs on the side. Its fuel tank looks quite beefy and adds mass to the MT’s visual line-up.
Yamaha will offer both, the R3 and MT-03, in select Blue Square dealerships. Deliveries will commence soon after the launch, which is slated for 15 December, as mentioned earlier. Once launched, the R3 will rival the KTM RC 390, TVS Apache RR 310, and the Kawasaki Ninja 300 and Ninja 400. Meanwhile, the MT-03 will compete against the new KTM 390 Duke, TVS Apache RTR 310, and BMW G 310 R.
