When the R25 was imported into India for R&D purpose last year, it was widely believed that it will be launched in the country. Even the dealers were telling eager buyers that it will be launched by end 2014. That never happened. This was because Yamaha India had decided to launch the R3 in India instead of the R25.
Finally, after a long wait, the Yamaha R3 has officially arrived in India. Priced from Rs 3.25 lakhs, the R3 will start arriving at Yamaha showrooms across India from next week, while deliveries will commence from 20th August. Sadly, the bike will not be on offer across all dealerships. R3 will only available in select cities, and at select dealerships. The launch event of R3 also had John Abraham in attendance, who is been Yamaha India’s ambassador for many years.
Bollywood actor, and Yamaha ambassador, John Abraham rides the new R3 on to the stage at the launch event today at Buddh International Circuit.
2015 Yamaha YRF-R3 will come in via the CKD route from Yamaha Indonesia Motor manufacturing facility. It will be assembled locally at the company plant in Chennai. 2015 Yamaha YRF-R3 will be offered in two colour options of Midnight Black and Racing Blue (red colour will not be on offer for now).
Featuring a full fairing in the front, Yamaha claims the R3 is not only a track ready bike, but is an everyday use bike. The lightweight, yet rigid chassis is the basis of a superb foundation, which makes sure that there are hardly any vibrations, even at top speed of 194 kmph.
Engine and Specs
2015 Yamaha R3 will be powered by a 321 cc twin cylinder fuel injected engine offering 42 PS power at 10,750 rpm and 29.6 Nm torque at 9,000 rpm mated to a 6 speed transmission. ABS will be not offered for now, but there are plans to offer it in the future. Yamaha R3 boasts of 298mm discs at the front and 220mm at the rear. Forged pistons, carburized conrods and direct drive camshaft form its other features.
Getting ready to ride the bike at BIC.
Yamaha R3 is 2090 mm long, 720 mm wide, 1135 mm tall (780 mm seat height). It has a wheelbase of 1380 mm, ground clearance is at 160 mm, and weighs 169 kgs. Fuel tank capacity is 14 litres, while oil capacity is 2.4 litres. Rubber is from MRF, front is 110/70-17 while rear gets 140/70-17M.
Yamaha R3 – TVC
Apart from the Yamaha R3, Yamaha India is also planning to bring its naked sibling, MT-320 to India. The launch of MT-320 is scheduled March 2016, after it makes its debut at 2016 Delhi Auto Expo in February. Yamaha MT-320 will also come via the CKD route from Indonesia, allowing the company to keep prices competitive.
Price
Price of the new Yamaha R3 is Rs 3.25 lakhs, ex-showroom, New Delhi.
Yamaha R3 – Video Review
Yamaha R3 – Top Speed
Photos of Yamaha R3
Once launched, expect the new R3 to rival Kawasaki Ninja 300, Hyosung GT250R, KTM RC 390 and Honda CBR 250.
