Auto Expo 2018: New Yamaha YZF-R3 with dual-channel ABS launched in India at Rs 3.48 lakh

Abhishek Samuel Updated: February 09, 2018, 12:44 PM IST

Yamaha India has launched the 2018 Yamaha YZF-R3 in India at a price of Rs 3.48 lakh (ex-showroom) at the ongoing Auto Expo 2018. The price is Rs 23,000 more than the previous iteration of the Yamaha YZF-R3 which was discontinued after BS IV emission norms came into effect in 2017. The new Yamaha YZF-R3 gets dual channel ABS, something we sorely missed on the motorcycle. The 2018 Yamaha YZF-R3 also comes fitted with Metzeler Interact M5 tyres, which are also seen doing duty on the KTM 390 Duke and the KTM RC 390. These are two upgrades were just what the doctor ordered for this motorcycle. Bookings have begun and deliveries will commence by the end of February 2018. A day earlier, Yamaha also launched the YZF-R15 v3.

The 2018 Yamaha R3 does not feature any major mechanical upgrades to its 321cc parallel-twin engine. There are subtle changes and cosmetic upgrades to distinguish the 2018 Yamaha YZF-R3 from its previous iteration. Yamaha India has introduced the new 2018 Yamaha YZF-R3 in two new colour options - Yamaha Racing Blue, and Magma Black.

The previous-generation Yamaha YZF-R3 was taken off the Indian market when the new BS IV emission norms came into effect. Yamaha may also bring the ABS version of the R3 this time around to India. The Yamaha YZF-R3 is powered by a 321cc liquid-cooled parallel twin engine, which produces 42PS / 30Nm.

The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox and we have been impressed with the motorcycle's ride quality, smooth performance, comfort, ride quality and handling. However, the lack of ABS even as an option and the MRF tyres were just not at par when compared to its competitors the KTM RC390, Kawasaki Ninja 300. Benelli has also launched the 302R since the R3 went off the market.

A word from the Editor

Yamaha's superb R3 had two chinks in the armour. The first was no ABS and the other was its tyres. Both issues fixed! Welcome back R3.

Yamaha surprised the Auto Expo 2018 crowds with the return of the Yamaha YZF-R3 which disappeared after the BSIV norms hit. Yamaha never officially said this but we knew that the BSIV R3 would come to market. And now it has. At Rs 3.48 lakh, it is Rs 22,000 more expensive than the older model. But it's easy to justify the price. The YZF-R3 was earlier considered to be missing ABS and tyres that could handle the performance. Yamaha has now fixed both of these by making dual-channel ABS standard and opting for Metzeler's most excellent M5 Interact tyres as standard equipment. The motorcycle goes on sale now in two colours, the all-black and the silver and blue we know well but with upstaged graphics.

The Yamaha YZF-R3 comes with a 321cc liquid-cooled twin cylinder engine that we like for its smoothness and linear power delivery. The handling is excellent too and the relatively soft setup makes it easy to ride in traffic as well as very fast at the racetrack. The previous model already earned the OVERDRIVE Bike Of The Year award and it was also the Indian Motorcycle Of The Year in 2016.

The new model fills one of the gaps between the newly launched 2018 YZF-R15 v3 and the 2018 YZF-R1 that Yamaha has put on sale. The R15, of course, was launched on the first press day of the 2018 Auto Expo at Rs 1.25 lakh boasting variable valve timing and 19.3PS from a 155cc engine.