BIKE LAUNCH

Posted On 07 May 2024

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This entry is part 9 of 29 in the series AusMotorcyclist Issue#30

Stuart is wearing a Shoei NXR helmet, Berik Force 2.0 suit, Alpinestars GP Tech gloves and Alpinestars Supertech R boots.

Pick an exhaust, any exhaust! Pick a colour, any colour!

SPECS
YAMAHA YZF-R3

PRICE: $6099 (plus on-road charges)
WARRANTY: Two years, unlimited distance
SERVICING INTERVALS: Every 10,000km or 12 months
ENGINE: Liquid-cooled parallel twin cylinder, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
BORE x STROKE: 68 x 44.1mm
DISPLACEMENT: 321cc
COMPRESSION: 11.2:1
POWER: 30.9kW @ 10,750rpm
TORQUE: 29.6Nm @ 9000rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed, wet multi-plate clutch, chain final drive
SUSPENSION: Front, 41mm telescopic fork, non-adjustable, travel 130mm. Rear, monoshock, adjustable preload, travel 125mm.
DIMENSIONS: Seat height 780mm, weight 169kg (wet), fuel capacity 14 litres, wheelbase 1380mm
TYRES: Front, 110/70/17. Rear, 140/70/17
FRAME: Tubular steel
BRAKES: Front, 298mm disc with dual-piston ABS caliper. Rear, 220mm disc, single-piston ABS caliper.
FUEL CONSUMPTION: N/A
THEORETICAL RANGE: N/A
COLOURS: Race Blu, Midnight Black, Racing Red

VERDICT: JOIN THE R FAMILY

the R3 a tight and stable package with plenty of feel, and being very light weight (169kg wet), the R3 is a motorcycle that is very easy to ride and flicks from side to side through tight corners easily, while retaining stability.

Comfort is surprisingly good, even for tall riders. The reach to the bars is roomy and the seat to peg height is sporty but with enough “room” for long legs, and of course perfect for short riders.

Featuring a wide range of information, the multi-function instrument panel includes an analogue tachometer and digital speedometer – and to underline its strong R-series heritage the R3’s instruments feature a shift timing indicator lamp similar to the design used on the YZF-R1. There’s also a gear position indicator, fuel gauge, water temperature gauge as well as fuel economy information, clock, trip meters and more.

A big part of the R3 is the line of accessories available. Three different types of exhausts are in the shops – all from Akrapovic. For just $420 you can get a GP styled stainless steel slip-on.

It sounds the business too. Not too loud with just the right amount of bark to get the thumbs up from your mates.

Second is the carbon fibre slip-on for $649. Just a touch louder than the standard pipe, but also the one that produces a good power gain. Finally you can get a full system for only $849. It is quite loud, even with the baffle in, but I’m sure the young fellas who’ll be the main buyer of a system like this will love it.

Other accessories available are a colour coded rear seat cowl, frame sliders, sport screen, and some bling like the fork cap set, stem cover, pivot cover set and swingarm spools. You can get them in four different colours to match your bikes colour or preference.

If you’re going to use the R3 as a commuter, or to do a bit of travelling (which it will do quite nicely), Yamaha has a seat- and tank bag available, or you can fit the rear carrier and the 39 litre topbox.

The new Yamaha R3 has rocked on into the party at just the right time.

It’s turned the music up and is ready to dance.

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