Yamaha MT-03 production confirmed

Yamaha has confirmed that it will be launching the new MT-03 soon. The new Yamaha MT-03 is basically the naked version of the Yamaha R3 that was launched in India recently. The styling of the Yamaha MT-03 is exactly similar to its 250cc sibling, the Yamaha MT-25. The design language of the Yamaha MT-03 is akin to street bikes with a beefy tank, petite tail lamp, and exposed frame along with sharp and edgy lines that should please the naked bike loyalists. Apart from the design changes, Yamaha boffins have also fine tuned the riding position to better suit to the street bike riding dynamics. The Yamaha MT-03 has dumped the clip-on bars for a more conventional single piece and wide handlebar that will endow the rider with an upright and comfortable riding stance.  

Powering the Yamaha MT-03 is a 321cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled motor churning out 42PS at 10,750rpm and peak torque of 29.6Nm at 9,000rpm. The powerplant is the same unit as seen on the Yamaha R3 and the mill is mated to a 6-speed constant mesh gearbox. Cycle parts, frame and dimensions of the new Yamaha MT-03 are similar to its quarter-litre sibling and the bike tips the scale at 165kg. Braking will be done by disc brakes at both ends while ABS will be skipped for the Indian market. Since Yamaha has setup CKD facilities in India expect the new Yamaha MT-03 to be assembled in India. The new Yamaha MT-03 will make its India debut at the 2016 Auto Expo in Delhi early next year and be launched in India in first half of 2015. Being a naked offering, the Yamaha MT-03 is expected to be priced around Rs 30 to 40,000 cheaper than the Yamaha R3 (Rs 3.25 lakh ex-showroom Delhi). The new motorcycle will be the first Yamaha MT-series motorcycle to be sold in India and we can expect the MT-07 to also head to our shores by late 2016. The Yamaha MT-03 will rival the likes of the Benelli TNT300, Kawasaki Z250 and the KTM 390 Duke in India.