Yamaha fans in India have been waiting for quite some time now for Yamaha to launch an entry level performance motorcycle in India, but Yamaha has been dodging it till now. Indians first expected the R25 to be launched here after was launched in Indonesia over a year ago, but there was no sign of it on Indian shores. Yamaha revealed the YZF-R3 at the end of last year and the motorcycle is already on sale in a few Asian and European countries, and yet there was no sign of it on Indian shores till January this year.
In January, 2015, we got information that Yamaha India had imported 2 units of the YZF-R3 and the import data suggested that it was for R&D purposes and the Yamaha fanboys were pleased to hear that Yamaha would be launching the bigger R3 instead of the R25 in India. Well, now we have more news for the Yamaha fanboys.
The Yamaha YZF-R3 was spotted testing on Indian roads, adding more fuel to the rumor fire that the R3 would be launched in India instead of the R25. We have spy shots of the Yamaha R3 testing on Indian roads, complete with a saree guard.
It really makes sense for Yamaha to launch the R3 instead of the R25 in India as, we feel not many buyers would be ready to a price of more than Rs. 2.2 lakh (ex-showroom) for a 250cc motorcycle when they can always opt for the KTM RC 390 at a lower price instead. But with the bigger R3, Yamaha will definitely lure more customers and will definitely eat into the KTM RC 390’s and the Kawasaki Ninja 300R’s sales figures. The R3 made began to make even more sense for the Indian market after Honda announced that they would be launching the CBR 300R in India, this way the Japanese motorcycle giants can fight it out in the 300cc motorcycle segment of the Indian market.
The launch of the R3 in India instead of the R25 would mean greater benefits to the customers too, as the R3 not only has an increase in the engine capacity, but also has a number of advantages concerned with performance. The R3 boasts of many race-derived features like, lightweight Forged pistons, Carburised Connecting rods, a direct drive camshaft etc.
All these features are present in the liquid cooled, 321cc, parallel twin engine powering the Yamaha YZF-R3, with a maximum power output of 42 PS and a maximum torque output of 29.6 NM and drive is sent to the rear wheels through a 6-speed transmission. Braking duties are handled by a 298mm disc up front and a 220mm disc at the rear complete with ABS for the European market, but we are not very sure if ABS will be made available in the Indian market as well.
To read more on Yamaha YZF-R3, Click here
Also see: Yamaha Motor Company imports two units of R3 for R&D
GALLERY: Yamaha YZF-R3 (SpyShots)
Source: Motoroids
