Yamaha MT-03 debuts at EICMA 2015

It was August, 2015 when Yamaha released the first official pictures of the MT-03, and now the bike has been unveiled at EICMA in Milan. Since the Yamaha MT-03 is the naked version of the YZF-R3 that’s already on sale in India, there is a very high possibility of this too coming to our shores. The styling of the Yamaha MT-03 is exactly similar to its 250cc sibling, the Yamaha MT-25.

Powering the vehicle is a 321cc, 4-stroke, twin-cylinder engine that produces 41.6bhp and 30Nm. Apart from the design changes, Yamaha boffins have also fine tuned the riding position to better suit to the street bike riding dynamics and seat height is also low at 780mm. The powerplant has been mated to a 6-speed transmission. This new performance bike developed by Yamaha is a naked street derivative of the company’s flagship YZF-R1 superbike.

The Yamaha MT-03 is equipped with a digital analog instrument console, dual channel ABS brakes with 298 mm front and 220 mm rear dics. The 10-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels are shod with 140/70 section tyres at the rear and 120/70 upfront. Once it launches in the subcontinent, the bike will compete against the likes of the Benelli TNT300, KTM Duke 390, Kawasaki Z250, and the yet to launch BMW G310 R. Expect to see the bike at next year’s Delhi Auto Expo. The Yamaha MT-03 has dumped the clip-on bars for a more conventional single piece and wide handlebar that will endow the rider with an upright and comfortable riding stance. However, the new MT does not get electronic suspension like the YZF-R1M, and will have its suspension taken care of by 43mm fully-adjustable forks and a rear monoshock.