Auto Expo 2018: New Yamaha YZF-R3 Launched in India at INR 3.48 Lakhs

Yamaha has brought the YZF-R3, updated for 2018 with some changes to keep it fresh.

Japanese motorcycle giant brought the YZF-R3 to Indian shores in 2015. And while it wasn’t a perfect product, it was still a good-looking and viable option for a premium 300 cc performance motorcycle. And now it has been launched with a handful of updates to keep it relevant at a price of INR 3.48 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi). The R3 now comes in two new colors: Magma Black and Racing Blue. The bike will continue to be built at Yamaha’s facility in Jakarta, Indonesia, from where it will be imported in other markets as well. The new colors give the Yamaha R3 a fresh look for the new year. SEE ALSO: Auto Expo 2018: Yamaha R15 V3.0 Launched in India at INR 1.25 Lakh

While the R3 gets fresh new colors, its underpinnings remain the same. There is the same twin-cylinder 321 cc, liquid cooled engine that delivers 41 bhp of power at 10,750 rpm and around 29 Nm of torque at 9,000 rpm. The engine is coupled with a six-speed transmission. All other mechanicals are the same as well. There are 41 mm Kayaba front forks and a single mono-shock unit, also from KYB, at the rear. Braking duties are performed by disc brakes at the front and rear: a single 298 mm unit at the front and a 220 mm one at the rear. The R3 is available internationally with and without ABS. It didn’t come with ABS in India before, but Yamaha has rectified its stance and the 2018 YZF-R3 now comes with dual-channel ABS as standard.

The Yamaha R3 won brownie points for its performance and its touring capabilities, even if it lacked the razor sharp corner-carving capabilities that the wider YZF series is famed for. The bike was discontinued earlier in 2017 after the BS4 emissions came into effect. But the bike that has been unveiled today finally comes with a BS4-compliant setup, and now returns to India. We’ll just have to wait whether sales pick up after these updates; the addition of ABS should bring more prospective customers, though. And with Metzeler Sportec M5 Interact tires shrouding the wheels, things look even better for the R3. ALSO READ: Kia Sorento (Toyota Fortuner Rival) SUV Officially Unveiled at Auto Expo 2018

Yamaha didn’t see really high sales with the YZF-R3, despite its performance credentials and looks and high-quality cycle parts. And, more importantly, the R3 didn’t really take off despite the entire 300cc-odd performance motorcycle segment seeing big growth. Over here, the R3 will have to take on worthy competitors like the Benelli 302R, KTM RC 390 and Kawasaki Ninja 300.