Yamaha MT-03

Yamaha fans rejoiced with the news of Yamaha MT-03 and Yamaha R3 entering the Indian market. It was for the first time that the MT-03 was coming to our shores. However, when launched, its Rs 4,59,900 (ex-showroom India) price tag was a bit shocking for everyone. But don’t worry, we are here to tell you if the Yamaha MT-03 justifies its price.

The Yamaha MT-03 is undoubtedly a good-looking streetfighter with a sharp design. It has an aggressive headlight that gives it a menacing look. The long tank extensions give a bit of the ‘big bike’ feel, but once you're on the bike, it feels very compact. Surprisingly, the MT-03 doesn’t attract a lot of attention and can just blend in the traffic, especially with the Midnight Black colour scheme and also because it doesn’t feature any flashy graphics or design elements.

Moreover, the switchgear on the MT-03 doesn't feel very premium and could have been better for a bike of this segment. The buttons on the switchgear are quite small and hard to operate with gloves on. To add to this, Yamaha’s odd button placement on the MT-series, as the manufacturer has swapped the position of the horn and indicator switches, will confuse you while riding. The MT-03 is available in two colour options: Midnight Cyan and Midnight Blue.

The Yamaha MT-03 shares the 321cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin cylinder engine with the Yamaha R3. It produces 42PS at 10,750rpm and 29.6Nm at 9000rpm, paired with a six-speed gearbox. It doesn’t have a lot of features. In fact, it doesn’t even have a slip-and-assist clutch, which even the smaller Yamaha MT-15 V2 gets.

The refined 321cc parallel-twin engine is the highlight of the MT-03. Despite being a high-revving engine, the bike is very tractable, making it very easy to ride in the city even at low speeds. The MT-03 handles 20kmph in fifth gear without any issues, just as smoothly as it handles 120kmph in sixth gear. Despite being rev-happy, the engine still has enough low-end grunt for quick overtakes, without requiring downshifts. However, the engine truly shines in the higher revs. Especially the way it revs up after 6000rpm, all the way to its 13,000rpm redline, is very engaging. Its power delivery is pretty smooth and linear all the way to the top, making it easy to ride for newer riders.

Its exhaust note is also very impressive. When you rev the engine, it has a high-pitched sound, but as soon as you roll off the throttle, it makes a deep roar with even some pops to be heard, which is very unusual for a stock exhaust on a 300cc bike, especially after the BS6 regulations.

The MT-03 handles brilliantly as it shares the R3’s chassis. It leans into corners effortlessly and holds its line very well. The power delivery is so smooth and linear that opening the throttle won't scare you, regardless of your skill level. Riding the MT-03 around the twisties feels easy and enjoyable. 

However, the ride quality is where the MT-03 falls short again. The same suspension setup that makes the bike feel stable and confident around the corners, feels a bit too firm for Indian roads. It becomes quite uncomfortable when riding over the rough and uneven roads that we encounter everyday. This firm suspension setup can make daily commutes less pleasant, as it isn't able to absorb bumps and potholes efficiently.

Though the Yamaha MT-03 offers an upright riding position with a slight forward lean, its compact size makes the bike feel cramped for taller riders. It gets a well-padded seat, but neither the rider nor the pillion seat is spacious enough. The footpegs are high and slightly rear-set, and the handlebar is very narrow. Both taller and shorter riders will find the bike a bit cramped.

The Yamaha MT-03 doesn’t come with many fancy features. It only gets an all-LED lighting setup, a fully digital LCD console and dual-channel ABS. The LCD console is basic and clearly readable. It displays a speedometer, odometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, gear position indicator, service reminders, and the engine temperature along with the basic tell-tale lights.

This simplistic approach would be appreciated by many who love the old-school riding feel. However, on the other hand, the MT-03 with its less features and absence of rider aids, struggles even more to justify its high price tag. It is at least expected to have smartphone connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, slip-and-assist clutch, quickshifter, which even a relatively cheaper bike like the Aprilia RS 457 gets as standard.

The Yamaha MT-03 is a smooth and fast bike that handles really well, and is easy to ride. It's an ideal upgrade from the MT-15, offering the sophistication of a twin-cylinder bike and Yamaha’s reliability. However, its biggest drawback is the price: Rs 4,59,900 (ex-showroom India). Despite being a likeable bike, it's hard to justify spending nearly Rs 5.5 lakh (on-road) on what is essentially a 300cc bike with such less features and rider aids. 

However, if you're specifically upgrading from an MT-15, then the MT-03 can be a good option to consider as it offers a thrilling riding experience and does not scare newer riders either. But with better options like the Aprilia RS 457 (Rs 4,10,000) and the Kawasaki Ninja 500 (Rs 5,24,000) available in the market, it's difficult to recommend the MT-03 to everyone.