The two motorcycles have been showcased by Yamaha at an event and bookings are already underway for the models
While for some years, the Japanese brand Yamaha has focused mainly on consumer models, the brand has now taken the first step to reintroduce its more premium models. Yamaha is set to launch the YZF-R3 and the MT-03 motorcycles in India before the end of this year. The brand has showcased the two models at an event recently, while dealerships are reportedly accepting bookings unofficially.
The brand also recently showcased the Yamaha YZF-R7 and the MT-07 which feature a 689cc engine. This sub-litre class motorcycles are expected to join Yamaha’s India lineup next year.
Under the skin both the 2023 Yamaha YZF-R3 and the 2023 Yamaha MT-03 share the same 320cc parallel twin engine which produces 42bhp and 29.5Nm of torque. This is paired to a six-speed gearbox.
The R3 is a fully-faired sports motorcycle while the MT-03 is a street naked. Both feature styling cues similar to the Yamaha R15 and the MT-15 already on sale in India. In terms of kit, the two come with KYB upside-down forks, adjustable mono shock, 298mm front and 220mm rear disc, slipper clutch, dual-channel ABS and all-LED lighting.
Customers can choose three colour options for the 2023 Yamaha YZF-R3 which includes – Deep Purplish Blue Metallic, Black Metallic, and Dark Blueish Purple Metallic. The same colour options are also offered on the 2023 Yamaha MT-03. These colours are offered on the international models, and are likely to remain the same for the India-spec models as well.
There is no information whether the motorcycles will be produced locally, however the likelihood is that both will be brought to India as CBUs. This would mean that the Yamaha YZF-R3 and the MT-03 will carry a price tag of around INR 4 lakh, ex-showroom.
The 2023 Yamaha YZF-R3 will compete against the KTM RC 390, Kawasaki Ninja 300 & 400 while the 2023 Yamaha MT-03 will rival the KTM 390 Duke and the Triumph Speed 400 in the Indian market.
