22 MOTORCYCLE TRADER
You’veprobablytriedtoconvince
girlfriendsthatgoodthingscomeinsmall
packages, but that’s never been more
appropriate with the YZF-R3. No wonder
there’s a junior-development race series for
the popular budget runabout.
For less than eight grand, this little race
replica is about going back to basics for road
and race craft, and you’ll have a blast doing it.
Straight out of pit lane, the R3 feels a
fraction of its 167kg wet weight. It’s slim and
quick to change direction (thanks to a skinny
140-section rear tyre) and, perhaps most
surprisingly, it offers roomy ergonomics, even
for a 180cm-tall rider like me.
Yamaha deserves credit for pushing
past the bike’s budget positioning and
upgrading it with KYB suspension. Thatincludes better spring rates and valving
changes to the 37mm upside-down forks
and a firmer spring with more preload on
the rear. The result ensures it’s comfortable
and confidence-inspiring for learners yet
controlled and compliant enough for the rest
of us while we focus on corner speed and
line selection on the track. Braking power is
fine, though the non-switchable ABS can cut
in a bit early for track work – as you’d expect
for a learner bike.
The 321cc parallel twin is punchier than
you’d think too, particularly from 4500rpm
to its 12,500rpm redline.
For a relatively modest outlay, it wouldn’t
be a bad idea to have a little 300 supersport
bike like the R3 in your garage alongside
your bigger-budget beasts. Big-power bikes
mask your riding errors, but with an R3,
where it’s all about carrying momentum,
you’ll not only learn to be a better rider,
you’ll also have more fun more often –
withoutshreddingyourlicenceaseasily.321cc parallel twin; 31kW (41hp) at 10,750rpm; 27Nm at 9000rpm; 14Ltank;167kgwet
$7799
RIDEAWAYTHE LITTLE
FELLA
ABOVE You can pay an extra
$100 to help promote an
energy drink company
and get that factory-
sponsored look.
BELOW The latest R3 arrived
mid-year with babushka
doll styling and better
suspension.