Bike features
Here are the main advantages of the motorcycle:
- brutal exterior;
- cheapness;
- reliability ensured by simplicity of design.
If you want to buy an inexpensive and reliable bike, you should pay attention to this model. However, it should be noted that, despite the formal two-seater capacity, the car is completely unsuitable for driving with a passenger. Not only will it be simply cramped, but the motorcycle will become significantly worse to handle.
Engine
The motor was borrowed from the Yamaha XT660Z Tenere. This engine has only one cylinder, but its volume is 660 cm³. Torque of 58 Nm and power of 48 hp. - quite decent characteristics for such a machine, and in principle a city bike does not need anything more. The maximum speed of the MT-03 is 160 km/h, and it accelerates to hundreds of kilometers in about 4 seconds. The acceleration dynamics are, in principle, very pleasing, but require caution.
Yamaha MT-03
Yes, the 2022 Yamaha MT-03 is not the first model under this name. The earlier version had a single-cylinder 660cc engine and looked like the ancestor of the entire MT series - a powerful naked with a fun engine, an upright riding position and a modern design.
Then the Yamaha MT-09, MT-07, MT-10 appeared (which in the States were branded FZ). These naked bikes marked a new era in Yamaha's history, and with the new MT-03, the Yamaha MT line-up has become even more complete - from small-capacity bikes to mighty street fighters.
The new Yamaha MT-03 is the smallest, lightest and most inexpensive motorcycle in the entire line. Apparently, it was prepared as an entry-level model, but for many it may not be the first bike. This is the era of small-capacity motorcycles, and manufacturers are incorporating technological innovations even into the youngest models - as evidenced by the stock ABS on the youngest MT. This model shares the engine and frame with the Yamaha YZF-R3, a very successful little sport, but it is quite difficult to confuse them with each other.
Design of Yamaha MT-03 2020
Design of Yamaha MT-03 2020
Despite sharing its roots with the Yamaha R3, the design and stance of the Yamaha MT-03 is quite different from its sibling. Here, Yamaha has applied the same visual style as the rest of the MT series motorcycles - even slightly exaggerating it. It's the first MT to feature ultra-thin running lights (slanted "eyes"), below which sits a single headlight. All lighting equipment is diode, which, of course, is another “expensive” feature of this model. Some people really like this design, while others think that the bike has
That face looks like he ate a lemon
The riding position on the Yamaha MT-03 is typical for the road, especially compared to the quite sporty riding position of the Yamaha R3. There is a different seat, crossbar and handlebars (39 mm higher and 19 mm closer to the rider), which provides a vertical seating position with the possibility of a slight tilt. The seat is quite spacious and allows you to slightly change your position during long rides. The steering wheel is quite high - if it were even higher, it would already resemble a motard. But even so, small naked bikes like this in the city are not much different from supermotos - due to their low weight and extreme agility. However, Yamaha constantly repeats that the design of the MT-03 resembles the appearance of a “big motorcycle”, and this is true - in the sense that the younger MT does not look like a toy, but, on the contrary, attracts the eye with its serious constitution.
For a 300, the Yamaha MT-03 has a fairly wide tank, and the paint job was directly taken from the older MTs. Moreover, it is united with the oldest MT-10 by side air ducts - most likely necessary so that beginners can show off to their friends. But more advanced riders, oddly enough, will find a lot of interesting things in this model, and will never feel like they are on a moped.
The Yamaha MT-03, like the R3, is assembled in Indonesia. It should be admitted that some little things - the gearbox foot, fasteners - look budget-friendly, but this is not news: we are considering a budget model. By the way, the decision to equip the stock version with ABS comes from the same story: it is simply cheaper for the manufacturer to produce one configuration option. And although ABS cannot be switched off here, judging by the forums, the usual trick with a fuse will work here too.
So, they took the R3, stripped it down a little, changed the components a little, not forgetting to add a couple of cheaper bolts, and got a new neck with ABS for good money. Was it worth it? Did it turn out balanced, and does it even make sense to choose MT over YZF? In short, the answer is YES!
Yamaha MT-03 on the road
We were given models in Red Fluo paint (the Yamaha MT-03 is also available in all black, but I prefer the red and gray combination). With my 175, I can stand freely with both feet, but a girl 10 cm shorter than me said that she mainly reaches with her toes, but given the weight of the motorcycle, this was not a problem for her. The seat height is 78 cm and is a good solution for a beginner bike.
We start moving with ease: the clutch lever is easily squeezed, gears are switched in a clear Yamah manner. The character of the engine is no different from the R3. If you're not yet familiar with the R3, I'll try to describe it: it's easy to spin from the bottom, fairly peppy at the top, and quite forgiving when choosing the wrong gear. Even more than that, it actually encourages you to shift less - and this is surprising for a 321 cc twin. True, this pair of horses has approximately the same number as the 660 cc single-pot “original” MT-03 - 41 pieces. The thrust, however, is less - 29.8 Nm. And as for me, this engine is ideal - at least for this motorcycle.
Landing with almost straight arms and only slightly back legs, straight back if I sit closer to the tank. I'm 175 and my knees almost completely blocked the ridges in the tank, so if you're taller, try the bike on the show floor first. The seat turned out to be very comfortable for a long trip. Leaving the city, I appreciated the excellent handling of the bike, ideal for riding on bad asphalt with holes and bumps. And then I began to deliberately point it at holes and bumps to evaluate how the suspension would cope with them. According to Yamaha, the MT-03 fork is softer than on the R3, and in my opinion it is optimal for my 80 kg plus gear. And on too big bumps you can always stand up on the pegs.
As I made my way towards the highway, I thought the Yamaha MT-03 was a great city bike. It's narrow, has a soft grip and weighs 169kg when loaded. Its brakes are optimal for low speeds without being overly sensitive. The rear brake is perhaps too delicate for me, but it’s probably good for a beginner, and you can always install stronger pads. I have not tested stock ABS.
And finally, we left the city. I can finally try third gear! On the road, the Yamaha MT-03 handles superbly and completely surpasses my expectations of a 300cc naked bike. The MT has the same transmission as the R3, and the maximum speed on it is available in fourth, while fifth and sixth are essentially needed to save fuel and reduce revs at highway speeds. My feelings can be expressed this way:
The Yamaha MT-03 is at ease on the highway - unlike most 300 cc machines. I would install a windshield if I had to drive for several hours at a time. But on our trip there was no need for this.
On the serpentine
But the main part of our trip began when we turned off the highway onto a mountain road. I recommend to all! Here the two top gears are no longer needed, and I rode enjoying complete control of the engine in corners.
It's fun to come out of a hairpin almost at full throttle. After 11,500 rpm there's not much to expect from 300+ cc, but the Yamaha MT-03 handles like a grown-up. Already from 4000, excellent traction appears, and if you generally like small-capacity twins, you will like the MT-03 without a doubt. Keep it in the good timing zone and don't be afraid to turn, as the song says. The seating position, light weight and comfortable steering wheel allow you to ride it dynamically, but without much risk.
The Yamaha MT-03 wheels are wrapped in the same Dunlop Sportmax GPR 300 as the R3 and are excellent stock rubber. And most importantly, you definitely have enough time to study it thoroughly, because it is very wear-resistant - you can even master the burnout for Instagram. My rear wheel only swerved once, and that was only because I (foolishly) took the wrong line and drove through the mud on the exit of a corner. On clean asphalt, the Sportmax instantly grabbed hold. Smooth and precise throttle allows precise control of traction in unfamiliar corners. The informative front brake provides competent trail breaking, and the single front disc is more than enough here.
The hills were interspersed with valleys in between, and I periodically opened the throttle all the way, remembering my youth and the old motorcycles I learned to ride. I sometimes miss this feeling on larger vehicles: when you turn up the gas on the road without fearing for your life or your license, you immediately get the feeling that you are in the right place and on the right motorcycle.
While driving, the engine can be felt by the ears and the rest of the body, without much need for tidying. The LCD display, the same as on the R3, is somewhere in the field of view and, if necessary, will remind you of the gear number or show the speed of movement. A quick glance at it is enough to find out everything that interests me. An interesting feature - the oil life scale - allows beginners to plan maintenance in advance and extend the life of the engine. If you asked me what needs to be changed on the display, I would advise making the gear number larger and higher.
Dimensions and weight
The weight of this small naked bike reaches 175 kg, not including fuel. The tank volume is 15 liters, which is not so much with an average consumption of 6 liters of gasoline per hundred kilometers. The seat height is 805mm, which makes the MT-03 unsuitable for many short people. However, tall motorcyclists may find this model somewhat cramped, because the seating position is very collected.
Brief history of the model
006 - official start of production and sales of the Yamaha MT-03 model. Model: Yamaha MT-03 (Europe). Factory designation: 5YK1, 5YK3.
2007 - no significant changes. Model: Yamaha MT-03 (Europe). Factory designation: 5YK2, 5YK4.
2008 - no significant changes. Model: Yamaha MT-03 (Europe). Factory designation: 5YK5, 5YK6.
2009 - no significant changes. Model: Yamaha MT-03 (Europe). Factory designation: 5YK7.
2010 - model not produced. 2011 - no significant changes. Model: Yamaha MT-03 (Europe). Factory designation: 5YK9.
2012 is the last year of production. Model: Yamaha MT-03 (Europe). Factory designation: 2BF1.
Chassis and brakes
The front brakes here are borrowed from the FZ6, which is significantly superior to the MT-03 in terms of power and weight. The bike has three brake discs in total, which do their job perfectly. The only risk with local braking is over-braking. But here you just need skill and caution, and for brakes this is probably not a disadvantage.
Some may be confused by the monoshock absorber sticking out from the side, which is attached to the rear pendulum suspension. However, both suspensions in the MT-03 work great. Handling is very sharp thanks to the very short wheelbase of 1420 mm.
