Words: Matthew Shields

When manufacturers built exciting, high-performance nakedbikes in the past, they would usually get their most powerful sportsbike, rip the fairing off it and stick on a set of motocross ’bars. European manufacturers have done this a lot with great success, and this year Yamaha is doing it with the new MT-10, but not without a lot of changes to make it the ideal machine on the road.

At the other end of the spectrum is the MT-03. Also new for 2016, Yamaha has taken the YZF-R3 learner sportsbike, ripped the fairing off it and given it a different handlebar – but that is all. Released last year, the YZF-R3 has been a huge success and was the second best-selling sportsbike in Australia just behind the Honda CBR500R. As we reported in our launch report, the YZF-R3 has all the characteristics a rider starting out needs to hone their skills on the road or track before they step up to a bigger capacity machine.

In that respect, it makes perfect sense for Yamaha to build the MT-03 from the YZF-R3. Firstly, it has kept the cost highly competitive and, secondly, as in the case of the rest of the MT-series, with a few simple changes they’ve shown they can build characteristically different machines from identical chassis and engine platforms. So, with little difference between the sports and nakedbike there’s a lot to like about the MT-03 before you even set eyes on it.

Image: Josh Evans.

Like the sportsbike R3, baby nakedbikes are purpose-built for the learner rider. Priced similarly and all easy to ride, this group of machines include 250-373cc singles, and 250 to 321cc parallel-twins. Having ridden all the other engine variants in this class, the parallel-twin format – like that in Kawasaki’s 300s – has two clear advantages over single-cylinder bikes: a wider band of stronger torque available lower in the rev range; and more punch at higher road speeds.

Being the biggest capacity parallel-twin has given the MT-03 the advantage of being quick on the open road. While we are only talking about a bike that is good for 140km/h, the bonus is having strong torque at these high road speeds which makes the MT-03 great at overtaking safely. The engine’s strong torque also gets you off the line quickly on the MT-03, and you’ll easily keep ahead of anything from the lights but a high-performance sportscar as we found battling through Sydney’s urban fringe on the media ride.

As far as safety controls go, the MT-03 doesn’t need them. The engine’s torque is the best safety feature on this machine putting control purely in the rider’s hand. The 321cc twin pulls strongly,quickly, smoothly and predictably while it doesn’t have enough power to challenge the rear tyre’s grip with the throttle. In its own right, this style of power characteristic is as good a form of traction control as you should ever need!

Same too with the brakes. They might be without ABS, but the braking both front and rear has plenty of travel through the lever, progressive feel and good power. The style of brake operation means learner riders won’t be getting in trouble with a panic dab on the brakes. The suspension under hard braking is on the soft side, but that forgiveness is dialled in to account for developing rider throttle and brake control.

Image: Josh Evans.

We know how good this chassis is at its limits, having ridden the YZF-R3 on the track and on the road. On the road the MT-03 is better again and only because of the wider handlebar. This is purely a personal preference, and on the road I like the slightly more relaxed seating position and exposure to the elements this nakedbike gives you. The seating position is still sporty, but comfortable and fits tall riders well with plenty of room two-up if you get licenced to take a pillion.

The seat height is 780mm from the ground and the path to get your foot down is direct so short riders wont find it daunting especially with a low weight of 168kg fully fuelled.Although the suspension is on the softer, slower side in its action, it is compliant on bumpy roads and both ends coped well when pushed hard with my 90kg on top of it. At slower speeds it is fast and nimble which makes manoeuvring in low-speed situations especially easy. Two-up with another person my size tests the rear shock’s working limit, but no learner rider will find this a problem.

Just like the R3, the quality of build on the MT-03 far exceeds what you would typically expect for a $5700 motorcycle. And that is especially good considering how this baby nakedbike is one of the least expensive and best-performing machines in such a hotly-contested class. With big service intervals and low service costs, the MT-03 doesn’t put a foot wrong in anything it does.

Specifications

Engine type: Liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valve per-cylinder parallel twin
Capacity: 321cc
Bore x stroke: 68 x 44.1mm
Compression ratio: 11.2:1
Claimed power: 31kW @10,750rpm
Claimed torque: 30Nm @9000rpm
Wet weight: 169kg
Seat height: 780mm
Wheelbase: 1380mm
Fuel capacity: 14L
Colours: Race Blu, Midnight Black, Racing Red
Price: $5699 + ORC
Detailed specs: www.yamaha-motor.com.au