Yamaha YZF-R3 Long Term Report: October 2016

Tour de force

It’s been smooth sailing with the Yamaha R3 for the 8th month in the running. First of all, thanks to the rain Gods for finally easing it up a bit. With monsoons fading away, I encountered less of traffic jams and more of open roads with the R3 last month. And an open bit of tarmac is where the R3 really shines through – it just absolutely flies, to be honest. Its peaky motor, smooth power delivery and brilliant dynamics are some of aspects that make it the perfect motorcycle for our road conditions. In fact, I was enjoying the R3 so much so that I went on an impromptu road trip to Chandigarh one fine morning.

En route Chandigarh, I was actually doing some crazy speeds without even realizing! And that’s the beauty of this motorcycle – it really feels so easy, calm and composed that you inadvertently tend to do license-cancelling speeds on the road. What really inspires you to ride it harder are the brakes on this motorcycle. The R3 does not have ABS, but oh the brakes are deliciously feelsome and sharp.

Complaints? While cruising between 110-120km/h, I could feel noticeable vibrations from the foot-pegs – hardly a bother, but then you do sense it.

Soon after I got back from my short road trip, Yamaha took the bike for servicing as well as to replace the oil pump and clutch pressure assembly as part of its recall campaign. Post service, it may been running smoother than before, but open the throttle, and it’s still the same old monster. I am loving it!

Also read: Yamaha YZF-R3 Long Term Report: September 2016