The Yamaha R3’s launch was much anticipated and the pricing was expected to be on the higher side as the motorcycle is sold in Indi as a CBU. However, no one expected the Rs 4.64 lakh ex-showroom price tag. This puts the new R3 way higher than its primary competitor, the KTM RC 390, which is also due for an update.
The KTM RC 390 is not the only competition in the segment, as TVS, BMW, Kawasaki, and Aprilia have motorcycles in the segment, raising the bar for Yamaha. Here’s how the new Yamaha YZF-R3 compares against its competition in terms of pricing and what they have to offer.
Yamaha YZF-R3
Price: Rs 4.64 lakh ex-showroom
The Yamaha R3 is powered by a 321cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine that makes 41bhp and 30Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed gearbox. Equipment on offer includes non-adjustable USD forks, a monoshock at the rear, 17-inch wheels, an LCD instrument cluster, disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS, and LED lighting amongst others.
KTM RC 390
Price: Rs 3.18 lakh ex-showroom
The KTM RC 390 is powered by a 373cc, liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that makes 43bhp and 37Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed gearbox with a quickshifter as standard. Other bits include USD forks, a monoshock at the rear, a TFT dash, disc brakes at both ends with cornering ABS, traction control, and 17-inch wheels.
The RC 390 is due an update soon and the motorcycle is expected to get adjustable suspension like the 390 Duke, while also getting the more powerful 399cc engine the 390 Duke currently gets.
TVS Apache 310 RR/ BMW G 310 RR
Price: Rs 2.72 lakh ex-showroom (Apache 310 RR)
The TVS Apache 310 RR and the BMW G 310 RR are essentially the same motorcycles, built on the same platform and also sharing engines and components. Powering the pair is a 312cc single-cylinder engine that makes 33.5bhp, paired to a 6-speed gearbox. The motorcycles get USD forks, disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS, 17-inch wheels, a digital instrument cluster, and more, while TVS offers adjustable forks as part of its customisation options.
Kawasaki Ninja 300
Price: Rs 3.43 lakh ex-showroom
In the sub-500cc segment, Kawasaki offers a Ninja for every need, a 300 twin, 400 twin, and a 400cc inline-four. However, the Ninja 300 is the prime competitor for the Yamaha R3, which gets a 296cc parallel-twin engine that makes 39bhp with the help of a six-speed gearbox. Priced significantly lower than the R3, the Ninja gets telescopic forks, a monoshock at the rear, LED lighting, and disc brakes at both ends with ABS.
Aprilia RS 457
Price Rs 4.10 lakh ex-showroom
The RS 457 is the new kid in the block, powered by a 47bhp 457cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine, paired to a 6-speed gearbox, making it the most powerful motorcycle amongst the competition, while being able to undercut the R3 by Rs 50,000. The RS 457 gets USD similar equipment compared to the RC 390, including traction control and a TFT instrument console.
