The Yamaha R3 And MT-03 Have Landed!

The Yamaha R3 is FINALLY back in India, and alongside it is the MT-03. Here are all the important bits you need to know about the both of them.

What’s The Price? Who Are Its Rivals?

Yamaha has priced the R3 at Rs 4,64,900. Its rivals include the Kawasaki Ninja 300, KTM RC 390 and the Aprilia RS 457. It can be had in two colours: Icon Blue and Yamaha Black. The MT-03, on the other hand, costs Rs 4,59,900 (both ex-showroom Delhi) and will go up against the 2024 KTM 390 Duke, Triumph Speed 400, TVS Apache RTR 310 and Zontes 350R. It's available in two colourways: Midnight Cyan and Midnight Black. Both bikes are imported from Indonesia and the CBU (Completely Built Up) route is what makes them so costly. 

What’s New?

Both bikes pack the same 321cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin mill that makes 42PS and 29.6Nm. The engine is known for being smooth and rev-happy, but is tractable enough to make commuting around the city at low speeds in higher gears very easy. And this very versatility is what makes it a gem of an engine. 

Underpinnings include an inverted fork and a monoshock, and disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS. However, that’s all the equipment that both bikes get. Funnily enough, the Yamaha R15 V4 M, a bike that has literally half the displacement, gets a TFT console, a slip-and-assist clutch, traction control and even a lovely quickshifter.  

ZigSays

The R3 is back and it’s just as desirable as it was back in 2020 when it was discontinued. We rode the bike and here’s why we say so. And alongside the R3 is the MT-03, a bike that we’ve never had in India. We rode it too but here’s why it doesn’t have the same magical riding experience despite sharing the engine.

Given both bikes' rather steep price tag, the R3 will have to watch out for the made-in-India Aprilia RS 457 which, at Rs 4.10 lakh (ex-showroom), boasts more power, torque and a long list of electronic aids. We’re riding the Aprilia soon, so stay tuned to ZigWheels to be among the first ones to catch our first ride review.  

As for the MT-03, the 2024 KTM 390 Duke with its Rs 3.10 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) comes off as not only the more value for money bike, but also the more exciting of the two.