Yamaha YZF-R3 wins IMOTY 2016

Yamaha YZF-R3 has been crowned as the Indian Motorcycle of the Year for 2016. The Japanese entry-level supersport motorcycle was selected as the winner of the prestigious prize by a jury of India's senior motoring journalists.

The Yamaha YZF-R3 trumped a dozen other motorcycles which were launched in the past year to emerge victorious. All the contestants were judged on a range of criterion such as price, fuel economy, styling, comfort, safety, performance, practicality, technical innovation, value for money and their suitability for Indian riding conditions. The Yamaha YZF-R3 was pitted against the Benelli TNT 300 and the Honda CBR650 in the final shortlist, though its superiority in the said parameters saw the YZF-R3 edge past its two biggest rivals.

The Yamaha YZF-R3 was launched in India in August this year to cater to the fast growing entry-level performance segment. Powered by a 321cc parallel twin liquid-cooled fuel-injected engine, the YZF-R3 gets a host of performance-oriented features like racing-derived forged pistons, carburised conrods and a direct drive camshaft. Priced at Rs 3.25 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the YZF-R3 is indeed a sportsbike that one can ride every day.

Accepting the award on behalf of Yamaha, Mr Roy Kurian, VP, sales and marketing, Yamaha Motor India Sales Pvt Ltd. said, "We launched Yamaha YZF-R3 in August 2015 and the responses that we have been receiving is indeed most positive and encouraging. We understand the needs of our customers and therefore pay great attention to details in our products in terms of styling and design.”