2019 Yamaha YZF R3: What is new?

Yamaha Philippines has got four bikes in its R-series - R1, R6, R3, and R15. The first two are superbikes that are built purely for undying performance and come with a hefty price tag. The R15 is the youngest in the family and thus, the most affordable as well. Its latest model packs quite a punch but perhaps is not interesting enough. This is where the R3 comes into the picture.

With its powerful and refined twin-cylinder engine, M1 inspired styling, and a justifiable price tag, the Yamaha YZF R3 tries to provide the best of both worlds. The 2019 Yamaha YFZ R3 price is Php 259,000 and the motorcycle is available in 3 colors - Black Raven, Matte Red, and Race Blue. S,o what are the new features on the R3 which make it such a desirable motorcycle in the segment? Let’s find out.

New design

The new 2019 Yamaha YZF R3 is clearly a better-looking bike than its predecessor. It is designed with a bodywork mirroring of the mighty YZR-M1. Its sleek fairing is meant to be aerodynamically efficient, and thereby, reduce the drag coefficient. Also, the compact and lightweight structure of the bike is an ultimate balance of strength and rigidity.

LED headlights

The new R3 comes with many features that are inspired by its elder siblings. For example, the new LED headlights seek inspiration from the YZF-R1. The dual light setup looks fantastic giving the bike a big-bike look and feel. Since the lights are now LEDs, they enhance both visibility and illumination. The best part? They consume much less energy as compared to the conventional halogen headlamps.

Central air duct

There is an air duct between the two headlamps. This isn’t just for aesthetic purposes but has a bigger role to play. It is designed to maximise the airflow to the radiator and enhance the cooling effect. It also helps in improving the overall aerodynamics and making the bike go faster more efficiently.

Windshield

This is also a part of the 2019 Yamaha YZF R3’s design that enhances its aerodynamic efficiency. It not only gets along with the overall styling of the bike but also channels the air away from the rider. It really comes in handy at high speeds where there is a significant wind blast.

Redesigned fuel tank

Yamaha has redesigned the fuel tank of the new R3 to add a bit more sportiness to the motorcycle. Also, since its wider and lower, it is easier for the rider to grip the bike with his or her knees while tucking in on fast straights or leaning in a corner.

Fully digital instrument cluster

All the modern motorcycles are now coming with fully digital instrument clusters and the R3 is no exception. This new unit is themed after the YZF-R1 and shows gear position indicator, fuel capacity, real-time and average fuel economy, water temperature, gear shift indicator, and much more. While we do appreciate all these extra bits, we miss the gorgeous analogue tacho.

Much aggressive riding stance

The new clip-on handlebars on the 2019 Yamaha YZF R3 have been lowered by 22 mm to give a more aggressive, dedicated, and demanding riding position. While it will inspire more confidence in the rider, it would take a toll on the wrists and back.

USD forks

The 2019 Yamaha YZF R3 specs have got USD forks as a new addition. These are 37 mm units from KYB and have been optimised to suit R3’s character. They impart a sporty front-end feel and feedback to the rider and help in the bike’s handling and performance without compromising on the comfort factor.

ABS

This is one of the most basic safety features to have and thankfully Yamaha has incorporated it on the latest model of the R3. You might not figure out its importance unless it saves your life for at least once.

The latest R3 is definitely a better bike than what it was before. Yamaha made a lot of changes to make that happen but it didn’t play around much with the engine. The new 2019 R3 continues to draw power from a 321 cc twin-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that produces 42 PS of maximum power at 10,750 rpm and a peak torque of 29.6 Nm at 9,000 rpm. It is a super smooth and refined engine that delivers exciting acceleration and thrilling power. Ride the new R3 and you will instantly fall in love with it.