Hey Yamaha, Where Is The BS6 Update On The 2021 MT-03?

A handful of dashing new colours? That’s it, Yamaha? It is really confusing why the Japanese bikemaker isn’t giving the 321cc engine of the MT-03, or, for that matter, even the YZF-R3, the much-needed emission updates that will make it legal to go on sale in Europe and India.

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It is disheartening that Yamaha has only fiddled around with the graphics of the 2021 MT-03. Admittedly, the new colours look quite attractive, especially the option with the fluo red wheels. The radical design change that it undertook in 2020 sure got our hearts racing then, but since then there has been little to no development from Iwata, or rather Chennai (where Yamaha India HQ is), to bring this baby to India.

Although unappreciated when it was on sale, the Yamaha R3 was one of the best all-rounder sportbikes that you could get in the sub-400cc segment. It was pricey but it wasn’t out of reach of most enthusiasts, like the Kawasaki Ninja 400.

Its engine output of 42PS and 37Nm was enough to bring a smile on your face. Yamaha should not find it too difficult to retune the intake and exhaust systems to match EU5 norms and keep the performance the same. KTM has managed to do that with the 390 Duke and that’s a bloody revv-happy single! So it wouldn’t be too much of an issue for a twin.

Will Yamaha bring us some good news by the end of the year? Let’s hope so.