Yamaha R3: The Commuters' Superbike!

The Yamaha R3 is not a completely track focused machine, like the R15. Seating of the bike is much comfortable and you can use it for your routine commuting as well and that is why it has been tagged as a daily superbike.

Here’s all you want to know about the upcoming Yamaha R3

Yamaha is planning to bring the bigger one from its latest entry-level-performance motorcycles to India. Yes, reports are claiming that the Japanese auto maker could launch the new YZF-R3 instead of the quarter-litre R25.

According to the data on an Indian import and export database website, Yamaha has imported two units of the R3 for research and Development (R&D) purpose. So, we can expect its debut in the Indian market sometime this year.

Let’s get some details about the upcoming Yamaha R3.

Style

The new Yamaha R3 has been designed like a proper supersport motorcycle with full body fairing, which looks inspired by the previous model of the popular litre-class superbike- R1.

The R3 sports a split style headlight unit along with a large windscreen and an easy to read analog-digital console. The muscular fuel tank, short side-slung muffler, split seat and a raised tail provide a very sporty feel to the bike.

Design and ergonomics

Bolted on a diamond type frame, the upcoming Yamaha R3 has been designed using the R-series DNA. However, it is not a completely track focused machine, like the R15. Seating of the bike is much comfortable and you can use it for your routine commuting as well and that is why it has been tagged as a daily superbike.

Chassis

The R3 comes with 41mm KYB telescopic forks at the front and KYB single-shock suspension at the rear. It has lightweight spider web alloys with 110/70 section front and 140/70 section rear tubeless tyres.

Front and rear wheels come equipped with 298mm and 220mm disc brakes respectively and ABS has been fitted as standard equipment.

Engine and transmission

The upcoming Yamaha R3 houses a new 321cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin, DOHC engine, which comes mated to a smooth 6-speed gearbox using wet, multi-plate clutch arrangement. The motor is powered by a Fuel Injection (FI) system and it uses a Transistor Controlled Ignition (TCI) system.

Performance

The R-series based motor of the R3 makes 41.4bhp of maximum power at 10,750rpm and a peak torque of 29.6Nm at 9,000rpm. It makes the bike capable to achieve 0-100kmph mark in just 8 seconds and top speed of the motorcycle is over 170kmph.

Price

The imported units of the Yamaha R3 for R&D purpose have a value of Rs 1.88 lakh each. It hints that the company might price the parallel twin powered machine under Rs 2 lakh, which will be very reasonable for this machine.

Competition

The Upcoming R3 will compete with the range of entry-level-performance faired machines between 200-500cc. Its direct competitors are the Honda CBR250R, Kawasaki Ninja 300, Hyosung GT250R and KTM RC Twins.

Upcoming rivals of the R3 could be the Hero HX250R, Honda CBR500R, Bajaj Pulsar 200 SS and 400 SS.