Yamaha YZF-R3 unveiled

As rumoured and speculated, Yamaha has unveiled the new YZF-R3. The Yamaha YZF-R3 has been exclusively developed for the European and American two-wheeler market whereas the Yamaha R25 will be restricted mostly to the Asian markets. In terms of styling the bike is similar to its 250cc sibling with sharp and edgy lines that should appeal to the masses. The biggest talking point about the Yamaha YZF-R3 is its powerplant, which essentially is a bored out Yamaha R25 engine.

Powering the Yamaha YZF-R3 is a 321cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled motor churning out 42PS at 10,750rpm and peak torque of 29.6Nm at 9,000rpm. The mill is mated to a 6-speed constant mesh gearbox. In terms of power output, the Yamaha YZF-R3 sits between its arch rivals the Kawasaki Ninja 300 (39PS) and the KTM RC 390 Duke (43.5PS).  The Yamaha YZF-R3 employs a diamond type frame unlike the Deltabox frame as found on the Yamaha R15 while the wheelbase remains identical to the Yamaha R25 at 1,380mm. Suspension duties are handled by 41mm telescopic forks at front and a mono-shock setup at the back. For braking purpose, the Yamaha R25 employs 298mm dia single disc brakes at front and 220mm dia disc brakes at rear while ABS is standard. Yamaha have been generous with the fuel tank capacity and the one on the R25 can gulp down 14 litres of fuel, which should be beneficial while touring. The Yamaha YZF-R3 tips the scale at 169kg.

The Yamaha YZF-R3 has been priced at about Rs 3 lakh in the American two-wheeler market with sales commencing from January 2015 onwards. On the Indian context, the Yamaha YZF-R3 looks like a better proposition than the Yamaha R25 for the Japanese two-wheeler giant. As with localisation and CKD assembly it should be able to price the Yamaha YZF-R3 around Rs 2.5 to 2.75 lakh. And if Yamaha is able to do that then it has a winner on its hands as the YZF-R3 can deliver the refined nature of the Kawasaki Ninja 300’s twin-cylinder motor and in terms of power output almost match up to the KTM RC 390. So basically it would sit between these two offerings in terms of pricing and deliver the positives of both the duo. Whether or not this happens only time will tell, watch this space for more information.