In Pictures: 2024 Yamaha MT-03 Road Test Review

After Yamaha fanboys waited for what seemed like forever, in December 2023 Yamaha finally launched the MT-03 and the R3 in India. We expected Yamaha to price these at a premium to their rivals, however, since the bikes were CBU(Completely Built Unit) imports from Indonesia they turned out to be even more expensive, with the MT-03 priced at Rs 4,59,900 (ex-showroom Delhi), which is disappointing. Having said that, the Yamaha MT-03 is still a fun bike. Here’s why: 

At first glance, the front of the MT-03 looks aggressive with its sleek LED DRLs, projector headlamp, muscular tank and body panels, all of which give it a properly muscular streetfighter look. The bike looks Batman-like stealthy in its Midnight Black colour scheme (as seen in the picture), while the Midnight Cyan’s brighter colours make the bike stand out.

Powered by a smooth 321cc parallel-twin engine, the MT-03 makes 42.0PS and 29.5Nm, ample for daily commuting and highway rides. In our test, the bike did a 0-100kmph run in just 6.14 seconds. The mid-range grunt is enough to make quick overtakes, but the bike is truly happy in the higher RPM range. During our rides, we got an indicated fuel mileage of 25 kmpl.

The flat handlebar compliments the bike’s upright riding position but the rear-set footpegs make the overall riding position quite tight and taller riders will find it a bit cramped. Featuring a seat height of 780mm, the bike is easily accessible. It has a stiff suspension setup and it’s not very pleasant to ride on bad roads. On nicer roads, the bike feels agile and ready to attack corners. The brake setup is confidence-inspiring and the initial bite is sharp. Surprisingly, the MT-03 doesn’t come with any rider aids or modes. Its smaller siblings, the MT-15 and R15, come better equipped electronically.

All in all, the Yamaha MT-03 is a good choice for someone looking for an agile twin-cylinder streetfighter with a reliable Japanese engine. It makes zipping through traffic as easy as slicing butter with a hot knife and performs like a pocket rocket on the highways. The setbacks of the bike are its stiff suspension setup and the hefty price tag, which might make most enthusiasts look for other offerings in the segment.