Sports bike with high everyday utility: Yamaha R3 - entry-level motorcycle relaunched

Yamaha has thoroughly refreshed its entry-level R3 motorcycle, enveloping it in the new line of its own R family. Despite its super-sporty attitude, the sports bike retains a high level of everyday usability. However, it only offers a maximum output of 42 hp.

Entry-level motorcycle—that doesn't sound particularly sexy, since this label always carries the reputation of being incomplete. That's why entry-level motorcycles try to avoid precisely that impression—see Yamaha's redesigned R3.

At first glance, few observers would likely place this motorcycle in the lower performance bracket. The young athlete looks too mature and ambitious from its projector headlights, housed in the central air intake and flanked by two racy LED position lights. Suggested side winglets, like those found in MotoGP, provide the downforce—at least visually for a price tag of €7,300.

Revised full fairing with practical benefits

The revised full fairing reflects super-sporty aesthetics and also has a practical benefit: Together with the slimmer seat, it provides better ground contact for those with short legs, and the seat height of 78 centimeters should pose only a few problems. From the upholstery, the handlebars are surprisingly high; the legs find good support and knee contact. Overall, the seating position is compact but not at all uncomfortable.

The 321cc inline twin delivers similarly manageable performance, which, at 42 hp and 29.5 Newton meters, remains well below the 48 hp limit for A2 license holders. Once underway, however, this shortcoming is hardly noticeable. The four-valve engine conceals its small displacement with a surprisingly mature sound, and the new, very smooth assist and slipper clutch makes it easy to keep the gearshift foot in the propulsive rev range.

Those who keep the revs high will be rewarded with decent propulsion, while at the same time, the R3 is compliant and easy to control at low revs – perfect for beginners or those who just want to take a relaxing ride after work. The well-tuned six-speed transmission always provides a certain amount of thrust up to 120 km/h, but only above that does the engine feel worn out.

Driving pleasure especially on winding country roads

The Japanese bike is most fun on winding country roads with halfway acceptable asphalt. Here, the simple yet well-balanced and perfectly tuned chassis delivers first-class driving pleasure – anyone who lets the R3 fly will be rewarded with veritable corner-hugging abilities. The R3 easily and effortlessly corners all radii, zipping through alternating curves with ease – weighing just 169 kg and narrow Dunlop Sportmax GPR-300 tires fuel the driving pleasure, which even experienced riders will enjoy in the corners.

The unspectacular decelerations ensure solid and predictable acceleration, fitting the concept of a sports car for everyone. Even if the actual braking point is overshot and the brakes are thrown late and hard, the R3 remains sufficiently stable.

Racing-inspired LCD cockpit

As befits a young motorcycle, the new racing-inspired LCD cockpit not only displays all the important ride information, but can also be connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth. The free MyRide app opens up a whole new world of specific information: When you download the app, the motorcycle's last parked position, fuel consumption, engine speed and throttle opening angle, acceleration rate, and an eco-friendly driving indicator are displayed.

Anyone who wants to can create a personalized logbook with mapped routes, average speed, weather and temperature, elevation, and more. Fittingly, a new USB port in the front fairing powers the digital communicator. On top of that, the Yamaha makes a high-quality impression, so the price of €7,300 is justifiably reasonable.

Yamaha R3 - technical data

• Engine: Liquid-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, 321 cc displacement, four valves per cylinder, 30.9 kW/42 hp at 10,750 rpm, 29.5 Nm at 9,000 rpm; injection, 6 gears, chain
• Chassis: Tubular steel bridge frame; USD telescopic fork, diameter 3.7 cm at the front, non-adjustable, 13 cm travel; steel double-sided swing arm, central spring strut, spring preload adjustable, 12.5 cm travel; cast aluminum wheels; Dunlop Sportmax GPR-300 tires, 110/70 R17 (front) and 140/70 R17 (rear). 29.8 cm single-disc brake with two-piston floating caliper at the front, 22 cm single-disc brake with single-piston floating caliper at the rear.
• Assistance systems: ABS
• Dimensions and weight: Wheelbase 1.380 m, seat height 78 cm, weight ready to drive 169 kg, payload 160 kg; fuel tank capacity 14 liters.
• Performance: Top speed 180 km/h. Idle noise 90 dBA. Standard fuel consumption according to WMTC (EU 5+) 4.0 l/100 km.
• Price: 7300 euros including additional costs