The competition for the best beginner’s superbike in the country has never been this interesting. Gone are the days when an 180cc or a 200cc motorcycle was considered to be ‘fast’. Now, that tag is given to bikes with an engine displacement capacity of 300cc and above.
The Yamaha R3 is one of the best-looking bikes in this segment and promises to be your everyday rider. We put it to the test.
The Looks
The first thing that catches your eye is the inverted twin headlamp and the pilot lamp placed right above it. Look closer and you can spot the air vent that is placed between the headlamps.
The muscular tank, the tall rear seat and the R6 inspired exhaust works together to give the R3 a sporty feel. Once you get on it, the information cluster is a combination of analog and digital and tells you everything you need to know. The clip-on handlebars are placed at a good height and are easy on your wrists and shoulders.
The Good
Powered by a parallel twin, 321cc liquid cooled engine, the bike churns out 42 horsepower and 29.6 Nm of torque. The power figures aren’t exactly mind blowing but when combined with the light weight (169 kg) and 50:50 weight distribution, it makes the bike easy to maneuver through corners and straights. The fuel injection also helps with the power delivery. The engine revs up to 12,000 rpm and the sounds better and better as you reach that mark.
The rider seat height sits low at 780 mm, making it comfortable for riders who are short as well.
The Bad
Yes, the R3 goes fast but the absence of Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) doesn’t induce a lot of confidence. What you get instead are 298 mm and 220 mm front and rear disc brakes, they get the job done but could have used more bite.
The suspension is telescopic forks instead of upside down, and the MRF tyres aren’t very grippy either. At such a price tag one would expect the Yamaha to fit round profile tyres like Pirelli or Michelin.
The high rear seat placement makes the bike look great but is very uncomfortable for pillion riders, there are no grab rails to hold on to either. But then again, these bikes are designed with the rider in mind and not the pillion.
The Rivals
The Yamaha R3 goes is a direct competition to the KTM RC 390 and the Ninja 300.
The KTM RC 390 comes with a small fuel tank and is built for the tracks, hence, it is not the best choice for everyday commute. The Ninja 300 gets a slipper clutch, which makes it more reliable but then it is the most expensive of the three, so much so, that one could even call it over priced.
The R3 is priced between the KTM and the Ninja but is still a bit on the expensive side.
Yamaha R3 Features
- Engine: 321cc, 2 cylinder, liquid cooled, 4-stroke DOHC
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Power: 42 horsepower @ 10,750 rpm
- Torque: 29.6 Nm @ 9,000 rpm
- Weight: 169 kg (wet)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 14 litres
- Price: Rs 3.26 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Verdict
If you are looking for a bike in the 250-500 cc segment, then the Yamaha R3 is one of the best bikes out there right now and is definitely worth being considered. It’s a tad expensive at Rs 3.26 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), but it is meant for those who prioritise looks over everything else.
Apart from the price, the Yamaha R3 is a good option as a first performance bike.
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