Yamaha YZF R3 : Detailed Review

The 2015 Yamaha YZF-R3: it’s been a much-awaited launch, and there’s been considerable speculation whether Yamaha will launch the R25 or the R3 in India.

But now, it’s crystal clear – the R25 has been given a walkover and instead we get the slightly larger displacing YZF-R3. And we get to ride India Yamaha’s latest sportbike offering at an apt location - the Buddh International Circuit!

Brought in as completely knocked down (CKD) kits from Indonesia, the R3s will be assembled here in Yamaha’s Greater Noida plant and will be available in just two colours – the traditional Yamaha's blue-and-white, and all black. 

Design and Features: rating_4.0_rating

From a distance, the new Yamaha YZF-R3 plays the sportbike part to the ‘t’. Twin cat like headlamps, full fairing, clip-on handlebars, and a sporty tail section all clearly point to design inspiration from Yamaha’s larger sportbikes. And it looks sharp and sporty.

The instrument panel is a part analog, part digital unit and is easy to read. While the clip-on handlebars sit slightly above the triple clamp. So despite looking like it’s made for the racetrack, the R3 has quite a relaxed riding position, so it’s comfortable for the daily commute and should be up to the task for carrying out occasional touring duties as well.

The KYB suspension on the R3 can be best described as basic - with a non-adjustable 41mm fork at the front while the rear gets a single shock, also from KYB, with seven-step pre-load adjustment. Single discs at the front and back offer decent braking but as of now ABS is not available, not even as an option. Braking is progressive and adequate, although a little more bite is desired.

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Engine and Performance: rating_4.5_rating

The Yamaha R3 is powered by a liquid-cooled, fuel injected 321cc in-line twin cylinder motor. The engine is a stressed member of the steel diamond-type frame. Yes, in spite of the premium tag it doesn’t get perimeter frame, or alloy swingarm. However, the forged pistons and offset cylinders which are said to reduce friction, as well as a single axis counter balancer to reduce vibrations, make it one of the most refined motors in its segment.

And in terms of output, the R3’s in-line twin makes 42PS at 10,750rpm and maximum torque of 29.6Nm at 9,000rpm – respectable numbers and par for the course for sub-500cc motorcycles currently available in India. But it’s not purely the numbers that are impressive about the R3; it’s how the parallel twin makes that power. 

Just looking at the numbers may seem the R3 needs to be kept boiling and revving at upper revs for some entertaining performance, but it’s not quite like that in the real world. The mid range is quite impressive too and rolling off the throttle, fourth gear is adequate to take on most corners at the BIC, though shifting down another cog and opening the throttle does make it sound and feel more eager. In all, the R3 doesn’t require too much downshifting to keep it going fast and smooth.

In fact, it feels more at home to ride the mid-range torque smoothly than to give it the beans with aggressive downshifting. And that is not recommended, because the lack of a slipper clutch makes the tail twitch nervously if you’re just going to just use the gears to brake and accelerate through a corner.

The YZF-R3 feels right at home on the race track, and would be equally comfortable on the highway or even the daily commute. On the straight, the smooth motor is quick to reach the ton even before your realize, and the motor remains relaxed even as you blaze closer to the 200kmph mark. Such is the refinement that there is hardly any sense of vibration or stress on the engine even when you redline through the gears.

Ride and Handling: rating_4.0_rating

The KYB suspension on the Yamaha YZF-R3 may seem basic, but it does its job well. The 41mm fork isn't really firm, but stiff enough to keep the bike steady on track riding speed, even with quick directional changes, yet soft enough to be comfortable for the daily commute or highway cruising.

Taut – that is the word to describe the R3’s handling. It just takes a couple of laps around the BIC to gain the confidence that this bike gives – to go faster, smoother around corners without any sense of losing balance. In fact, the more you ride it, the more confidence the R3 gives to push it harder and faster.

With a low seat height and narrow mid-section, the Yamaha R3 feels small and manageable. And even new riders will welcome its lightweight (168kg wet weight) and agile handling. Directional changes are effortless, yet the bike retains its composure under aggressive cornering.

If there were a few things we would have liked to see on the new Yamaha R3, the missing ABS would be right on top, followed by better tyres. The MRFs would be fine for city riding, though a set of sticky Pirelli tyres would have made it an even more accomplished motorcycle. Add to this a slipper clutch then the R3 would have been a dream package for many enthusiasts. But let's not forget it's a bike built for a price and being a CKD it’s pretty aggressively positioned.

Verdict: rating_4.5_rating

The R3 carries a lot of responsibility on its handlebars, particularly for India Yamaha. Considered as a sporty brand, Yamaha’s fortunes in India have seen a revival only in recent times, with its bestselling FZ-16 and FZ-S 150cc bikes, after a relative lull in sales after the earlier two strokes were phased out. The R3 though is not meant to rake up volumes. More than clocking up record sales for Yamaha in India, the R3 will be seen as a bike that will once again cement Yamaha’s reputation as a manufacturer of sporty, high-performance motorcycles. In a market where displacement and power figures seem to be synonymous with performance, the R3 has a lot going for it – strong performance, good ride and handling and a renowned brand to back it. 

Unlike the KTMs, what the Yamaha YZF-R3 offers is a sportbike which is not hardcore track-focussed, but can be used for the daily commute or even for long distance riding. And to those who seem to forever swear by the adage that there’s no replacement for displacement, there’s one small word that makes all the difference - character. The 321cc in-line twin, the way it delivers its power, the way it hands you its mid range torque, and the way it behaves with the excellent road manners the R3 has, is reason enough to consider it instead of its competition. And at Rs 3.25 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the Yamaha YZF-R3 indeed makes a compelling case for itself.