Yamaha will be bringing the R3 and MT-03 sports bikes to India soon. The upcoming bikes will be retailed exclusively via Yamaha’s Blue Square dealerships, available in around 100 cities. Apparently, the Japanese brand has kickstarted the launch process for both the bikes by notifying the Blue Square dealerships regarding the upcoming launches.
Both bikes were officially unveiled in India at the inaugural edition of MotoGP Bharat at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) earlier in September this year. The bikemaker will launch the fully-faired sports bike and its naked sibling on December 15, most likely in the same venue.
Supplies for the R3 and MT-03 will be based on the online booking made via the Yamaha India website. The dealer list for the online booking will be finalised by November 30. We expect official bookings for both motorcycles to commence shortly after this.
Yamaha R3, MT-03: Specs
While R3 follows the design language of Yamaha’s fully-faired motorcycles, the MT-03 flaunts Yamaha’s signature street naked styling. The former will sit on top of R15 while the latter will sit om MT-15. However, underneath their skin, both bikes will remain largely similar to each other with same underpinnings and motor.
Both bikes are powered by a 321cc, parallel-twin engine that generates 42 bhp at 10,750 RPM and 29.6 Nm at 9,000 RPM. This motor is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. The bikes are underpinned by a diamond-type frame that sits on KYB-sourced upside-down front forks with 130mm travel and rear mono-shock with 125mm travel.
Yamaha R3, MT-03: Expected price, rivals
Yamaha will price the upcoming R3 and MT-03 on the higher side since both motorcycles will be fully imported as Completely Built Units (CBUs), at least initially. Hence, expect the R3 to be priced well over the Rs 3 lakh mark (ex-showroom), while the MT-03 could undercut the former by around Rs 20,000.
Upon launch, the R3 will compete against the likes of TVS Apache RR 310, BMW G 310 RR, Kawasaki Ninja 300 and KTM RC 390. On the other hand, the MT-03 will lock horns with the TVS Apache RTR 310 R, BMW G 310 R and KTM 390 Duke.