Yamaha R3 First Ride Review: The Perfect Upgrade To An R15?

Back in 2008, my parents bought me an R15. I did not understand bikes much back then, but the R15 is where my motorcycling story began. An epic fun machine that turned heads wherever it went. Then, a few years down the line, I got a chance to ride the R3. I was blown away. The refinement, sound, power delivery and its relentless ability to make you laugh under the helmet had me hooked. It was the only upgrade I could think of over the R15. But by the time I saved up for it, the emissions norms took it away. 

And, like me, many of you felt lost as there was no successor to the R15 anymore. So like mine, if your heart too was broken when the R3 was discontinued, It's time to heal! The R3 is back and this time it's bringing along its cousin – the MT-03 –as well. We rode these bikes in Thailand to see if the emissions norms have taken the charm away from these wonderful motorcycles, and whether they still are the ideal upgrade from an R15 and the MT-15. 

Looks

What makes someone look back? Beauty, yes. But you have to be exceptionally beautiful for people to keep turning back time after time. Unique? For a small period, sure. Then people will just get used to it. But what guarantees attention is personality. And that is what the R3 has plenty of. In this generation, it has been better sculpted by the wind which has taken the sharpness of the design away. Personally, I still prefer the older one. But that doesn't take away from the fact that this is still a twin-cylinder supersport that revs to almost 13,000rpm without as much as a hiccup from the engine. It's respected, adored, and admired by motorcyclists around the globe and that is why people always look back and check it out.

And when they do, the R3 does pack substance to show. The taller windscreen, though looking a bit plain, helps slice through the wind better. The LED headlights being split by an air dam is reminiscent of its larger siblings and I love how the side fairings become a part of the front as well, and act like a winglet. 

From the side, it shows its size with the rather large plain fairing and muscular fuel tank. Interestingly, though, this is where the differences between the 2 bikes end, asthe rear half – the seat, tail section, exhaust and LED lighting setup – is identical to the MT-03. But compared to an R15, even in terms of looks, the R3 feels bigger and more imposing. 

Egonomics

The R3 is not as committed as R15 riders would expect. The pegs are not too rear-set, and the rider’s legs rest at a comfortable angle. The bars, too, are not very low and are comfortable to reach. Plus, the 780mm seat height makes it accessible for most riders in the country and the 169kg wet weight makes it super easy to move around in parking lots. 

Features

When it comes to features, the Yamaha R3 is as basic as motorcycles can get. The only features it gets are dual-channel ABS, an LCD screen, a USD fork, and a monoshock with preload adjustment. For a motorcycle that will cost upwards of Rs 4.5 lakh on road, this is barebones. 

Motorcycles at this price point get a lot of kit, including a coloured TFT display, ride modes, traction control, quickshifter, slip-and-assist clutch, stability control… and the list continues. But the R3 gets none of that. The focus here is on the motorcycle and that clearly showed in its riding manners. You wouldn't want to get distracted by switches and buttons while riding it and I did not mind the missing features. I believe that bikes are meant to disconnect you from the digital world, and the R3 does that phenomenally well. That said, I would have loved to see a quickshifter and a slip-and-assist clutch, to make the riding experience better. 

Engine and performance

The R3 gets a 321cc parallel twin motor which makes 42PS and 29.5Nm. Coming from an R15, I am used to revving the bike hard to get going. The R3 has the same nature. While it remains tractable in the lower rev range and you can ride a gear higher in the city, the power remains laid back. Get going, drop a couple of gears, and the engine comes alive. Post 6000rpm, there is a sense of urgency in the power and it pulls you through till 13,000rpm. And because it is so smooth and linear, you do not mind getting close to the redline every single time. The engine refinement is something that you will enjoy both in the city and while touring. 

Out on the highways, the speeds come quick, and before you know it, 100kmph and 120kmph are left behind. This bikes even pulls you to 160kmph effortlessly. Sitting at 100kmph is effortless and even cruising at 120 is easy, but with some vibrations from the pegs and handlebars. Even at that speed, dropping a coupe of gears and tucking down will propel you forward for overtakes. This is the place where you miss a quick shifter and a slipper clutch the most. And this similar engine character to the R15 – but with the added performance – surely makes this a worthy upgrade. 

Handling

The R3 is a joy to ride on winding and twisting roads. The roads in Thailand were flawless and the R3 comes alive in the mountains. Get in the right gear for the corner and it's telepathic how the bike starts to lean and turn. Opening the throttle won't scare the new riders and you can enjoy the corners regardless of your skill level. It is this inviting, easy, and safe cornering nature of the R3 which makes it the perfect upgrade over the R15 to take it to the track, or just enjoy on a weekend. However, a tyre upgrade is recommended if you are more serious about riding. 

Comfort

While we did not hit a particularly bad patch of road in Thailand, both the motorcycles – the R3 and MT-03 – are fairly comfortable. Despite the limited suspension travel, they offer a sense of plushness, as the ride does not feel jerky, and keeps the rider well cushioned. More testing is required on Indian roads though. 

Launch And Price

The Yamaha R3 will be launched in December and we expect it to be priced around Rs 4.2 lakh(ex-showroom). It is going to be a direct import from Indonesia, and will rival the likes of the Kawasaki Ninja 400 and the Aprilia RS 457. 

Verdict

The R3 is back. And it is as tempting a motorcycle as it was back in 2020. In this age of features and digitisation, it still remains analog to remind everyone that motorcycles are not gadgets. They are an expression of freedom, and a tool for anarchy which lets you break away from the shackles of the connected world. 

To do this, it packs a gem of an engine. The way it revs lets you enjoy every twist of the throttle and the handling complements the creamy power delivery so well. And with its easy ergonomics and comfort, you can have this feeling for hours without taking a break. In essence, the R3 is like a good wine. It's smooth, sophisticated and you enjoy every sip. And the texture and aroma all add up to improve the experience. It truly is a properly worthy upgrade to an R15. 

Yes this will be expensive and yes it might not seem tempting on the brochure. But what it has, is a soul that you connect with. And that is worth the extra price you pay.