Yamaha MT-03A. Sample
The times when, with a minimum amount of experience, anyone who was thinking about buying a motorcycle went to a motorcycle dealership or to a private classifieds website for at least an evil sports “six hundred”, or even a “liter”, are long gone. Today, the vast majority of manufacturers are trying to lay softer and friendlier straws under the unprepared bodies of beginners. And the newcomers themselves are different now...
Maxim Markin
Yamaha MT-03A. Price: 463,000 rub. On sale: since 2016
A striking example of a technique for beginners is the simple but effective small-capacity naked Yamaha MT-03. Everything that can be said about it in the language of numbers, formulas and graphs, engineers diligently digested and honed to automaticity twenty years ago. Upon closer examination, the MT-shka is a YZF-R3 mini sportbike, only in a stripped version for conquering the streets of a traffic-clogged city.
Yamaha MT-03 is a classic representative of the genre. Not very big, not very heavy, not very powerful, not very complex, charismatic in places and quite strong
The driving force is a 4-stroke inline 2-cylinder engine with electronic fuel injection, liquid cooling and a 6-speed gearbox. Power characteristics identical to the donor motor: 42 hp. With. and 29.6 Nm. The engine is placed in a steel diagonal frame made of round pipes. Among the suspension elements, there is absolutely nothing for the eye to grab onto: who would you be surprised by with a non-adjustable “telescope”, modest calipers or a simple monoshock absorber without progression links and other pleasant complications? But at least the fact that it has a modern anti-lock braking system is valuable.
Unlike most motorcycles in this class, the MT-03 has a more powerful and high-torque two-cylinder engine rather than a single-cylinder engine
In terms of handling and braking efficiency, the MT-03 is stable at conventionally censored city speeds. When briskly maneuvering in traffic up to 100–120 km/h, there is sufficient feedback and a small reserve in case of emergency actions. If you start driving at full throttle, in 5th and 6th gears both the brakes and the suspension almost simultaneously leave the comfort zone - the braking distance increases many times over. The wheels stop tenaciously holding on to the asphalt, now and then flying over small irregularities. Given the considerable dynamic capabilities of the motorcycle (which is 180 km/h according to the speedometer and the first 100 km/h in about 7 seconds), it’s still not worth trying on the role of a fearless motorcycle racer. Fortunately, the almost complete lack of aerodynamic comfort prevents heroism: it begins to blow away already at 110 km/h. At the same time, the ergonomics of the baby are carefully adjusted to the performance characteristics of a modern sexually mature European: even “characters” with a height of two meters find the fit on the MT-03 comfortable.
Despite the small engine capacity, the MT-03 is a worthy representative of the Masters of Torque family
The appearance and some equipment features are the few things that bring originality, a piece of elegance and modernity to the MT-03. From the tip of the tapered tail to the headlight contour, the bike looks finished. False air intakes under the tank and a beak under the engine connect all the exterior parts into a single whole. Perhaps the Yamaha MT-03 is one of the best modern imitations of “adult” proportions in a small-capacity format. Some imbalance is caused only by too narrow tire donuts (110/70-17, 140/70-17).
The dashboard also makes a pleasant impression. The filling is at a decent level. The driver has an analog tachometer, a set of warning lights, a fuel level indicator, a coolant temperature indicator, a speedometer, an odometer and a gear indicator, distributed over two sections of the LCD screen.
It is difficult to evaluate a motorcycle intended for beginners from the height of many years of experience. In essence, the Yamaha MT-03 is a classic representative of the genre. Not very big, not very heavy, not very powerful, not very complex, charismatic in places and quite strong. One thing is confusing: ten years ago, and even more so now, the prices of entry-level motorcycles work against them. For the money that the dealer asks for a new 300, you can buy the notorious “liter” in not the most tortured condition.
| Technical characteristics of Yamaha MT-03A | |
| Dimensions (length/saddle height) | 2090×780 mm |
| Base | 1380 mm |
| Ground clearance | 160 mm |
| Fuel tank volume | 14 l |
| Engine | 321 cm3, 4-stroke, 2-cylinder, in-line, liquid-cooled, injection, 42/10 750 hp/min-1, 29.6/9000 Nm/min-1 |
| Transmission | mechanical, 6-speed, chain drive |
| Frame | 50 l |
| Engine | gasoline, 4-cylinder, 1368 (1591) cm3, 99/6000 (123/6300) hp/min-1, 132.4/4000 (150/4850) Nm/min-1 |
| Transmission | manual, 6-speed (automatic, 6-speed), front-wheel drive |
| Frame | steel, tubular |
| Front suspension | telescopic fork |
| Rear suspension | pendulum, 1 shock absorber |
| Front/rear brake | 1 disc / 1 disc, ABS |
| Dry weight | pendulum, 168 kg |
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“A toy for the masses” – review of the Yamaha MT-03 motorcycle, 2003
Five years ago, motorcycles in brutal hooligan style were made to please a small group of consumers. Now both young and old are switching to them. In this spirit, Yamaha released an amazing device.History sometimes writes out ornate plots. The life of this or that model turns out to be strangely long or, conversely, amazingly short. For example, was it possible in the 80s of the last century to assume that the uncouth externally and unbridled internally Yamaha V-Max would become almost a cult model? In America and Europe, the car gained millions of fans, who, like the characters in the equally popular film “Mad Max,” raced the V-Max along suburban highways and highways, terrifying local residents.
Yes, exactly 22 years ago, in 1984, the first V-Max was released. His concept of “naked power” was extremely suitable: a 140-horsepower 4-cylinder V-shaped engine of 1200 cc, provocative appearance, outstanding performance... Then not a single motorcycle (let alone a neoclassic) could boast of acceleration up to “ hundreds" in 3 seconds and a "maximum speed" of 235 km/h. The device became the personification of rebellion, a symbol of love of freedom for the motorcycle fraternity. It also became a symbol of longevity for manufacturers - none of the famous models lived on the assembly line for such a long time. In addition, the successor to the V-Max will only be made in 2009, that is, a quarter of a century after the start of production of the first model, and, it seems, this figure will be unsurpassed for a very long time.
Yamaha has let the genie out of the bottle. And this ancient old man captured the minds of not only radical youth, but also their parents. Back in the late 90s, a survey showed that more than 30% of motorcyclists would like to keep such devices in their “stables”. And not for weekend trips, but for everyday use. The only “but” is that it scared many people, and many did not need such high power. Style is the main thing. Yamaha designers began to work in this direction. After all, only the V-Max in all its splendor represented this class then.
The first result of this work was shown at the end of 1999 at the Tokyo Motor Show. The creators of the MT-01 prototype immediately placed all the ideological accents and called it nothing less than Torque Sports Roadster. Anyway, long live torque! The power unit is in the industrial style, the chassis is like on a sportbike, the engine is from a multi-cc cruiser... So, this means what kind of replacement is being prepared for the V-Max! It turned out not. Based on this concept, a series of “Max-shaped” motorcycles were released, but the “filling” is completely different – kinder and fluffier.
The game went downhill. If the serial MT-01 was equipped with a 1700 cc V-twin engine like the V-Max, then the next representative of this series, the BT1100 Bulldog muscle bike, already sported an 1100 cc engine. True adherents of V-Max only curled their lips contemptuously at the sight of these “goons,” but everyone else welcomed the newcomers warmly. Very quickly their sales volume in Europe exceeded the V-Max records. The ice has broken, people began to switch to brutal bikes of the new generation.
In 2002, Yamaha conducted another survey among American and European dealers on the topic “V-Max of the future.” Its results are shocking: about 40% of respondents did not want the V-Max to be discontinued, but the same number of respondents said that they would like to see a model similar to the Max, but with a small-capacity engine and a budget price. What can I say? A real split in the ranks!
In fact, the result of such research was the display of the futuristic MT-03 in Milan in 2003. LED optics, a sophisticated chassis, “industrial” finish and... a dead single-cylinder 660 cc engine. No one thought then that this concept, which is essentially a descendant of the V-Max, would survive to serial production.
As is often the case with Japanese manufacturers, Yamaha chose a win-win scenario. The motorcycle was addressed primarily to the European market, and the development of the style was entrusted to local designers - the concept was completely executed by the masters of the Spanish Yamaha studio. That is why the model turned out to be “industrial” and purely European features were introduced into its appearance, such as diode lighting technology and polished aluminum casting brackets. However, when launching the series, the developers took into account the price factor, which is important for Europe, and abandoned some expensive components (the same diodes, for example). But otherwise, and here we must pay tribute to the designers, the production MT-03 is no different from the prototype. However, this trend is no longer an exception to the rule, but rather the opposite.
It is unlikely that this appearance can leave anyone indifferent. Moreover, the pop elements that complement the brutal style (without this combination the model could have remained insufficiently in demand) look restrained and non-trivial. To be honest, I don’t want to drive the MT-03, but I want to look at it and delve into the details of the power circuit. Charismatic toy? Maybe, but not for kids, but for adults who didn’t finish playing with construction sets as children.
Yes, brutality and pop are in harmony here. Where there could be chrome trim (for example, in the radiator trim), there are banal plastic inserts. But instead of the usual lines of the rear swingarm, we see a powerful frame of aluminum casting, and instead of twin rear backpack shock absorbers, as on the V-Max, we see a cleverly laid monoshock with a yellow adjustable spring on the right side. Or take tank pads. Nothing more than a reference to the almost forgotten nigrips (the same rubber bands that decorated the gas tanks of even “sovietcycles”). What about the headlight brackets? A tuner's dream!
It would seem that all these are little things, but without them the MT-03 would have been an ordinary Japanese motorcycle, but it turned out to be an extraordinary device, which you wouldn’t be ashamed to drive up to a social reception. Once the initial noise of your arrival has died down, you can stir up the excitement by dismounting and thus showing off the motorcycle seat. How do you like the saddle upholstery? In two tones, and made of nubuck, and even with contrasting stitching!
And although the LED headlight remains in the memories of the concept, the serial diamond-shaped faceted optics also do not look cheap. The black trim on top harmonizes perfectly with the powerful brackets, which in turn live in harmony with the powerful front fork stays (the fork is the same as the much more powerful Fazer 600) and the black fender. It’s just a pity that the model’s brakes are more than traditional (from the Fazer 600). The wheels just beg for radial designs.
In the photo, the MT-03 seems somewhat pot-bellied - this is due to the bloated shape of the gas tank and the trimmed lower engine part. In fact, the device turned out to be quite compact. Judge for yourself: the base is 1420 mm, the height of the seat is 805 mm, and the width of the widely spaced mirrors is 860 mm. In fact, the dimensions of an urban enduro are narrow and all-climbable. Actually, that’s what the developers of MT-03 wanted.
In traffic-clogged Europe, the element of practicality is placed just above the appearance. And the MT-03 offers a wide seat for both driver and passenger, a minimal level of vibration, a fairly soft suspension, and a comfortable wide steering wheel, which is located quite close to the driver. The result is a comfortable seating position and easy handling of a not-so-light motorcycle. If only you knew how he writes trajectories! How confidently and predictably it slows down! How it shifts in a turn! Just a fairy tale!
The 660 cc “single-barrel” Minarelli/Yamaha, which is equipped with the car, was tested in the XT660 urban enduro chassis. The power unit is proven, reliable and unpretentious - it is not surprising that it has become the main contender for the role of the “heart” of the MT-03. The engine was slightly derated, but at the same time the torque curve was smoothed out, so that it became truly “torque”. Now the engine pulls from the lowest speeds and in the medium zone (5300 rpm) shows a maximum of 56 Nm. 45 forces - at first glance, not so much for 175 kg of dry weight. But don’t forget that this model is not for conquering free space in the shortest possible time, but for confidently clearing urban congestion. There is plenty of power to solve such problems, and those who still lack it should pay attention to the mentioned MT-01.
Bright appearance, pilot-friendly ergonomics, good handling, moderately powerful engine... This set of qualities will appeal to the average man in the street, “majors” and beginners - as already mentioned, the MT-03 was initially aimed at approximately this consumer group. These people will not practice “candles” and “stops” somewhere on the track. They just want to move around the city, to work and back, and at the same time enjoy the fact that they are sitting on such a beauty. Needless to say, it will be nice to admire it when you go out to the parking lot after a working day. Or just looking out the window from time to time. Things should make us happy! By the way, some call this kind of motorcycle equipment for women, but the term “unisex” seems more appropriate to me. She will not leave anyone indifferent.
It must be said that for Yamaha, which poured a lot of money into this project, it would be an unaffordable luxury to somehow narrow the circle of MT-03 users. After all, in fact, the concept of the model is universal, and only the “filling” of the device limits the scope of its application. So it was decided, along with the main MT-03, to release a couple more interesting modifications. We are talking about Spider Smart City and Cafe Motard.
In fact, these are versions tuned to the maximum. They say, look at what an ordinary MT-03 can turn into if you put your hands to it and show some ingenuity. Cafe Motard – for extreme sports enthusiasts and those who felt super motard potencies in MT. They will like the more aggressive look of the car. Chopped plastic, spoiler protection under the engine, sharp beak of the head wing, blackened body elements. The upside-down fork, brakes with “star” discs and wheels were borrowed from the latest, most sophisticated YZF-R1 SP sportbike. Agree, it’s a good set! The place of the heavy “double-barrel” muffler was taken by a lonely tuning “end”, placed under the “tail” with an LED stopper. Visually, the “body kit” made the front part heavier (it looks like a sprinter frozen at the start), and the rear, on the contrary, became visually lighter and taller. The trick is a bracket for the license plate on the pendulum. The “tidy” is tiny, obviously of scooter origin. Other bells and whistles include a “starting number” perched on the left side of the plastic that replaced the passenger seat. Even in static conditions, the model looks menacing and charged, as if it had just skated in a supermoto championship.
MT-03 Spider Smart City is a different fruit, tasty and ripe. There is no aggression at all, but there is more than enough tchotchkes designed to increase the pilot’s comfort. Let's start with the fact that the plastic on this modification is mother-of-pearl, the saddle is covered with expensive and practical Alcantara. There is already a windshield of a very original look - not only is it embossed and bends around the headlight, it also has a beautiful “chameleon” tint. There are also... side cases, for a car of this class - this is nonsense. And besides, they look extremely aerodynamic. So goodbye, urban jungle, welcome to the highway, to the long distance!
All this is offered in stock. Well, if you have an appetite while eating, then you are welcome to the expanded menu, where you can find a lot of useful things for all three versions of the MT-03. For example, hand protection on the steering wheel in the Endur style, an impressive cover on the passenger seat (to emphasize sportiness), mufflers from the famous Akrapovic. By the way, the latter will be able to return the “five” “horses” stolen during depowering: 50 hp. for MT-03 this is possible.
It is also worth mentioning that the list of additional equipment is enriched with a large number of clothes and accessories in the same style. And the price of the model in Europe is very attractive - for the MT-03 they ask €6500 (versus €7800 for the Fazer 600). Based on all that has been said, it is easy to assume that in the near future the new MT series will become very popular on the European market.
In our country, unfortunately, the situation promises to be completely different. Despite the centralized (under the leadership of the Japanese from the Russian representative office of Yamaha) dealer policy, for some reason such products are promoted to another level. The logic is simple: everything that is new and unusual should cost more. Therefore, the price for the MT-03 will be much higher than for the already sore 600 cc 100 hp Fazer. And if we also take into account our specific mentality (the more powerful, the cooler), then the fate of the MT-03 in Russia is painted completely in black. It's a pity, it turned out to be a beautiful motorcycle.
Specifications.
Last September I bought my first motorcycle - a Yamaha MT-03. You can read more about this here. The first motorcycle season is over and it's time to share information about such a rare beast as the Yamaha MT-03. Handling and suspension. Handling is excellent thanks to the short wheelbase and axle load distribution. On my first trip (when I didn’t have a license yet), I arrived at the traffic police station at night, having previously agreed with the guard, and about the third or fourth time I went through all the exercises necessary to pass. Turns very predictably. As for handling at low speed, you can drive 5-6 km/h while sitting and without taking your feet off the pegs. It feels great in city traffic. The clearance allows you to jump (carefully, of course) onto the curb, or drive on dry off-road conditions. There are practically no settings for the suspensions, only pre-compression of the rear spring, which is set once in accordance with the weight of the rider. The fork is identical to that on the fz6, the rear suspension consists of a massive cast swingarm and an original shock absorber located on the side. As for hardness and softness, it shakes on uneven surfaces, it’s better to stand up on potholes. Motor and gearbox. The MT03 engine is quite common, it is still installed (with different gears) on all 660 cc Yamaha models, including the Grizzly. This unit was also used on an Aprilia pegaso. It has established itself as a very reliable medium-speed engine. The smooth torque curve allows you to drive without even thinking about what the current speed is. As for the gearbox, it is a 5-speed, shifts clearly and effortlessly. Water cooling, dry sump lubrication. 4 liters of oil are poured into the oil tank. The oil tank is located in a rather peculiar way, in front of the engine and looks like a crankcase protection, for this reason there is a rumor that it is easy to damage. But I think that if you use the motorcycle for its intended purpose, such a problem will not arise. A separate comment about vibrations - yes, they really exist. The 660cc 1-cylinder engine cannot help but vibrate. Around 5000 +- 100 rpm it tickles your palms))) This is a feature. To be honest, I personally like “live” engines. I heard a review that the engine is “dead” and “doesn’t run.” And also that any 600 cc in-line engine goes faster. Of course, this is a comparison between round and soft, since this model is absolutely not for those who need maximum speed. 120-150 on the highway is quite comfortable to drive.
Maintenance Fuel consumption is approximately 6 liters with a 15 liter gas tank. Is it a lot or a little - judge for yourself. There were no serious breakdowns during operation. The only trouble was that the clutch cable broke at the bend in the lever. Apparently, the load was previously placed in this place during a fall (based on the state of the lever). The cable was repaired, and just in case I bought an original one as a spare. Nothing else broke. One winter, leaving the garage, I accidentally turned the ignition to the parking lights mode (apparently that’s what they call it?) As a result, the battery died. And here, pay attention: to get to the battery you need to remove the gas tank!)) But you won’t go to great lengths for the sake of design...
Design The appearance of the motorcycle was developed in Spain, the motorcycle itself was produced in Italy. Of course, it is designed for the European market. The design of the MT-03 cannot be confused with anything else. This is a youth motorcycle, a “fan bike”. It is bright and beautiful. He invariably evokes interested glances from others and leaves no one indifferent.
Bottom line: When choosing this motorcycle, you need to be very clear about why you need it. The fact is that, for all its versatility, it has a number of serious limitations in terms of use. It's not suitable for track racing, it's not suitable for 1000 kilometer trips, it's not suitable for enduring through the woods to go fishing, but it's absolutely perfect for city streets. Some people think its cost is too high, because most of the components used are not expensive. Again, this is an image motorcycle for the city, and not a high-tech racing machine. I chose the MT03 as my first bike. And I wasn’t wrong at all. During the time I used it, it never let me down. If we rewind time, I would take him first again. I think that says it all.
The motorcycle is currently sold. Went to Moscow to a new owner.
PS Any questions are welcome! Both in the comments and in PM.
