Photography: Siddhant Gadekar
In these past few months, we have seen a huge influx of options in the sub-500cc category. If you’re looking to buy a parallel-twin sportbike, the options are plenty but what about naked motorcycles? Then, the Yamaha MT-03 is your only option apart from the QJ Motor SRK400. And the fact that the MT-03 gets the same engine as the R3 which has been praised for its excellent power delivery and refinement in the past, helps its case further. So, after riding it at the Buddh International Circuit in December last year, we decided to spend some time with it in our backyard to see if it is good enough to justify its hefty price tag.
It may be a 321cc motorcycle, but the MT-03 commands a healthy road presence. In fact, one of my neighbours confused it for a 600cc motorcycle. This is mainly down to the aggressive face and the muscular fuel tank flanked by faux air intakes which give it a burly stance. Then there’s the sharp tail section and simple exhaust which looks clean. Get in the saddle, and you’d appreciate the low 780mm seat height which makes it an accessible motorcycle for shorter riders as well. The fuel tank provides the perfect recess to slot in your knee and grab the fuel tank. The handlebar and footpegs are set to offer a slighty sporty rider’s triangle. Combined with the roomy seat which offers comfortable cushioning, I didn’t mind spending long hours in the saddle. The only annoying bit was the placement of the horn and turn indicator switches which have been interchanged and I wasn’t completely used to it even after spending more than four days with the motorcycle.
In terms of features, you have all-LED lighting and a simple but well-laid-out LCD that showcases all the required information. Unfortunately, the MT-03 misses out on a modern TFT display, adjustable levers or even a slipper clutch. It may be an entry-level motorcycle in more matured markets, but here in India, it costs above five lakh rupees on-road. So the absence of these features does stick out a bit. What’s impressive is the build quality. Be it the plastic covering for the fuel tank or the aluminium footpegs, everything feels built to last and exude a solid feeling.
In the end, it is the riding experience of a motorcycle that matters the most and the MT-03 scores high in this regard. Major credit for this goes to its smooth, refined and sufficiently powerful 321cc parallel twin engine. The power delivery is linear which means you do not have to constantly work the gears in the city. Out on the highway, you can easily cruise between 100-120kmph. Redlining the engine feels very rewarding and so does downshifting as the exhaust produces subtle pops and bangs every time you go down a gear, making for a very engaging riding experience. The 6-speed gearbox is slick but the clutch does feel heavy to operate especially in bumper-to-bumper traffic scenarios. Speaking of heat management, the engine doesn’t heat up a lot, but you can feel slight warmth on your legs in slow-moving traffic.
The MT-03 also shares its underpinnings with the R3 and that means it is loads of fun to ride in the twisties. It rides with a certain poise and stability that makes it a very approachable motorcycle for beginner riders. At the same time, it doesn’t shy away from attacking corners at high speeds in the hands of an experienced rider. The steering is quick to respond while attacking a set of curves and the suspension setup feels rock solid as it doesn’t lose composure even through mid-corner bumps. The ride quality in the city feels plush and overall the MT-03 feels like an excellent motorcycle for daily commutes. Braking, handled by 298mm and 220mm discs at the front and rear, respectively, is again impressive with the front brake offering good initial bite and impressive stopping power. The ABS never feels intrusive and that could also be because of the grippy Dunlop rubber.
Overall, the MT-03 is a brilliant machine for someone looking to own their first sub-500cc motorcycle that can easily take on the daily grind. It is also a capable touring motorcycle. The engine refinement and comfortable ergonomics are its strong suit. And it can even be a fierce track tool in the right hands. However, here comes the ‘but’ – the price! At Rs 4.59 lakh ex-showroom the Yamaha MT-03 is significantly more expensive than the competition which look more modern, are feature-packed and offer more performance at a lower price point. At this price point, it is hard to recommend the MT-03 despite its superior all-round capabilities.
