2016 Yamaha YZF-R3 long term review: After 10,544km and 15 months

Yamaha motorcycles have always held a special place in my heart. Though I have never owned one, I find an instant connect with them. This has happened because of the R15 version 2.0 which was my long-term motorcycle for 15 months. She left a void which wasn't filled. Until now. You guessed it right. The R3 is one cool motorcycle and something that makes commuting a pleasure rather than pain. In fact, with the R3, I don't ever remember complaining about the two hours that I spend in traffic one way. I also end up doing what I have never done before in my professional career with OVERDRIVE - leave early from work sometimes just to enjoy the fast-paced commute that the R3 accords me.

I know I am gushing at this point but I love the R3 to bits. But there are a few things which the ones who have used the motorcycle before me too have highlighted. These include the tyres which rob you of the confidence of pushing this rev magnet on corners to its limits. The tyres don't communicate much with the rider, and you end up with two minds whether or not to lean more. The one good thing with these tyres is that they are durable and never once have I picked up a puncture on them. This also reminds me that the replacement Pirellis never came on time and, as I write this, we are still waiting for a confirmation from the company. The rear perch is somewhat odd. None of my friends or now even the fiancée has been very happy about sitting on it for more than five minutes. The common complaint is "there is nothing to hold on to". Well, I have a solution for it. Take a taxi, bus, or rickshaw and leave me alone with the R3.

The R3's MRFs have proved to be durable

Speaking of the pillion seat, the panel moves a lot from its position but while riding, this doesn't translate into a rattling box. Good thing then. Also one thing that really baffled me was that the R3 isn't BS-IV compliant. No sooner had the new rules crept in, the R3 was taken off the market. I hope for their and everyone's sake, Yamaha brings the R3 with an updated engine, grippier tyres and ABS.

Date acquired: Jan 2016

Total mileage: 10,544km

Last report at: 6,315km

Fuel: 239 litres

Economy: 26.4kmpl

Photography: Anis Shaikh