Yamaha MT-03 Real World Review: Great Biking Experience At An Even Greater Price

Photography: Arvind Salhan

Our experience with the Yamaha YZF R3 left us wanting for more. So, we figured why not get a taste of its sibling, the MT-03 and we have been living with it for a few days now to see how it deals with the rigours of daily riding. In Yamaha parlance, MT means ‘Master of Torque’, and yes, this phrase quite aptly describes the MT-01, the naked sibling of the iconic R1. But it doesn’t feel out of place if it were used to describe the MT-03 either. 

The MT-03 offers a sweet motorcycling experience

Also Read: Yamaha YZF R3 Real World Review

Yamaha MT-03 Performance and Technical Specifications

And with a motorcycle like the MT-03, it only makes sense to start with the performance. So, like the R3, the MT-03 gets a 321 cc parallel-twin motor which is liquid-cooled and high-revving too. It is an analogue motorcycle, old-school if you will, but it rides true. 

The 321 cc parallel-twin motor is smooth and high-revving. It offers dollops of torque across the rev range

No riding modes, no traction control, no quick shifter, all it gets in the name of electronic rider aids is ABS. That’s it! But what the motorcycle does offer you is power-packed performance. The parallel-twin engine is quite smooth and delivers a delectable wave of torque all across the rev range. Be it the bottom end, mid-range or the top-end, the Yamaha MT-03 keeps you engaged all day long. 

Best performances comes after you cross 5,000 rpm

The MT-03 has linear power delivery and likes being ridden above 5,000 rpm for you to extract maximum performance. Acceleration is seriously quick, and the parallel-twin motor is tractable too and one can ride at speeds of 40-50 kmph in the 5^th gear as well. The gearbox is slick and won’t make you miss a quick shifter, although it could make a massive difference to your riding experience. 

The engine has a tendency to heat up in peak traffic. And there's no way to adjust the brake and clutch levers as well

One of the issues is that the motor heats up if you ride in traffic for long periods of time. It isn’t unbearable but it is noticeable. The other thing is that the clutch lever is hard and there is no scope for adjustability either, so that’s a bummer too. 

The engine is free-revving and loves to be ridden hard

Yamaha MT-03: Ride and Handling

Like the R3, the MT-03 feels quite precise and flickable when you chuck it into a corner. The overall dynamics is quite superb and along with the lightweight chassis and the 37 mm upside down fork, feels precise yet very agile even when you corner or filter through traffic in the city. 

The motorcycle feels nimble and agile around a corner. It is similar to the R3 in terms of riding dynamics

The motorcycle weighs in at 167 kg, which is light for a parallel-twin model and the grip from the Dunlop Sportmax tyres is more than adequate for daily riding. What we would have liked is better braking. The brakes could have had a sharper bite. And if you are worried about the ride quality, well, it is stiff, but you won’t notice smaller bumps and undulations. The bigger ones, yes, you will feel them.

The 37 mm USD fork along with the lightweight chassis and the Dunlop Sportmax tyres do a good job of making the bike handle well

Yamaha MT-03: Design, Ergonomics and Features  

The MT-03 is a mean-looking machine and looks similar to the MT-15, with the single LED projector headlight, with the two eyebrow DRLs above. The fuel tank is muscular and offers you good grip while cornering too. What we also like is the exposed engine and frame, which highlights the naked streetfighter look of the MT-03.  

We like the front-end design on the MT-03, which is similar to the MT-15

Compared to the R3, the MT-03 has a slightly more relaxed riding position thanks to the wide and flat handlebar. So, you sit a bit upright, but it can feel cramped for taller riders. And along with that, the seat itself is quite stiff and there isn’t much space to move around. Taller riders might find this a tad uncomfortable. And if you want to go on longer rides, you may want to look at aftermarket options for the seat. 

The display is the same as the one on the R3, a black and white LCD unit, with no connectivity features

The MT-03, like we said earlier, is more of an analogue machine, something that purists would like. In terms of electronics, there is just ABS. The instrument console is a black and white LCD unit, which looks dated and out of place amidst the current crop of colour TFT screens, and there’s no smartphone connectivity either. 

At Rs. 4.6 lakh (ex-showroom), it is quite a pricey proposition and there are much more affordable models which offer more features and have similar levels of performance, if not better

In terms of rivals, you have the KTM 390 Duke, TVS Apache RTR 310 and the Triumph Speed 400 too. At Rs. 4.6 lakh (ex-showroom), the MT-03 is outrageously expensive, there are no two ways about it. But if you do shell out that kind of money and are looking to get your hands on a feature rich motorcycle, then you will be disappointed there too.

Yamaha MT-03: Verdict

The price tag is difficult to justify, but there's no doubt that the MT-03 is good, exciting motorcycle to ride

What the motorcycle does offer is an exciting and engaging riding experience. Yes, there are other options which offer better features, are significantly cheaper and have similar levels of performance if not better. The price tag of the Yamaha MT-03 becomes quite difficult to justify in that case. Well, it is what it is, and we wish that Yamaha finds a way to make the motorcycle more affordable. 

Specifications Table