Yamaha YZF-R3 review, test ride

Yes, Yamaha's R3 makes one heck of a small capacity twin to pilot around India's biggest race circuit. Read on!

Published on Aug 11, 2015 06:21:00 PM

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The handling was pleasingly fluid, and nice and light, with a precise steering. The R3 is meant to be an everyday motorcycle too and so, the suspension felt a touch soft on the track. However, the R3 does offer an adjustable rear set-up so it can be fine tuned to some extent.

What's lacking though, is an alloy swingarm. The bite from the brakes was sharp and once you get used to it, you only need to breathe on the lever to scrub speed. However, for the street, it makes us all the more sure that ABS is a must. The big and surprising disappointment though was the grip from the tyres, the MRF rubber unable to cope with the power when pinning the throttle exiting corners and even sent the rear wheel chattering on occasion at the BIC. This is sure to be something keen riders need to watch out for while familiarising themselves with the motorcycle.

It might have come late but our short ride proves that the YZF-R3 can hold its own special corner in the Indian market that it shares with the also capable Kawasaki Ninja 300. But, the R3 seems to take the game forward in just about every way and also manages to undercut the Ninja 300 while doing so. So, the attractively priced R3 does give Yamaha and biking enthusiasts alike very good reason to celebrate, especially when headed out to a track day.