On the sidelines of the first Indian MotoGP race, we have learnt that Yamaha India intends to launch the twin-cylinder R3 and MT-03 in India in December. This is in line with what we exclusively reported earlier this year.
- R3 and MT-03 to come in as CBUs
- Will rival Kawasaki Ninja 400, Aprilia RS 457
- Both get a 321cc parallel twin engine
The R3 hasn’t been on sale in India since the introduction of the BS6 emissions norms in early 2020. Yamaha is now bringing back its parallel twin sport bike and it will also come with its street bike sibling, the MT-03.
The bikes will initially launch here as CBU imports from Indonesia with Yamaha intending to switch to CKD production further down the line. With that in mind, it is fair to expect that these will be expensive motorcycles, with ex-showroom prices starting from above the Rs 4 lakh mark. The previous-gen Yamaha R3 last retailed at Rs 3.5 lakh, ex-showroom, before and the new bike comes with numerous upgrades, including fresh style, LED headlamps and a USD fork.
The MT-03, which has never been sold in India before this, is effectively the naked version of the R3 with a similar main chassis and the same 321cc parallel twin engine that produces 42hp.
The Yamaha R3 and MT-03 will both be retailed out of the company’s premium Blue Square dealer network.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
