Yamaha YZF R3 Owners Reviews and Experiences

One Year With R3

As promised, writing my one year ownership experience, it would be honest so some could like it & some would not agree.

Completed approx 15,000 kms and experience is mixed, first would like to list all positives of this bike.

Positive:

1. Engine, its a gem. Good low end torque you can ride all day 110-120kmph comfortably. Surprisingly, good to ride in traffic too, I use R3 everyday, it never disappoints.

2. Braking, its precised at least for me, I didn't feel any need to upgrade it to aftermarket pads or brake lines.

3. Seating posture is another positive, seats are comfy too. I have done 720 kms in single day which includes 4 lane highway to state highway.

4. Headlights are bright, throw is good and helpful at night.

5. Most important part service, maintenance cost is low for a CKD bike. Comes with three free service, have done three service total and never spend anything more than Rs. 1500/-. Spare parts price is cheap too. I will be sharing some parts cost at last.

6. Quality of most of the parts are good.

7. Exhaust note is good especially on higher rpms, it has a bassy note.

8. Bike is quite flickable in the traffic too.

Negative:

1. FIrst and foremost tyres, stock tyre were not at all satisfactory, I changed at around 2000 kms to michelin pilot street radials.

2. Service quality, quality of service is a thing which I am not impressed, svc which does a good service is good 120 kms from my place. At 10k service i gave my bike for oil change at raipur svc but mechanic broke oil chamber which he tried to cover it up with m-seal. Yamaha service manager didn't helped and at last showroom owner borned all the costs.





3. Vibes used to creep up above 7000 rpm but it has vanished after using Motul 7100/Shell Advance ultra.

4. Yamalube FS oil is not good, becomes rough at 2500 kms.

5. ABS should have come as an option.

6. Air filter gets useless after 3k kms whereas yamaha has scheduled to change it every 10k kms.

Parts Changed

I crashed once because a splendor rider came into my lane out of nowhere and had to change following parts:

1. LHS Fairing

2. Side Stand

3. Gear Lever.

4, Headlight Cowl (Black Part) - replaced after some months had some scratches.

5. LHS Tail cover.

Spare Parts Cost

Although we have shared this list with fellow R3 owners in our whatsapp group and we update it regularly but still posting here:

1. Yamalube Engine Oil (1 litre) ₹450
2. Air Filter ₹545
3. Spark Plug ₹85
4. Fork Oil (487 ml required in each fork) ₹185 per 500 ml
5. Clutch Lever ₹320
6. Brake Lever ₹260
7. Front Alloy Rim ₹5,400
8. Front Indicator ₹650
9. Rear Indicator ₹690
10. Rider Foot Rest ₹180
11. Pillion Foot Rest ₹190
12. Rear View Mirror ₹1,280
13. Bar End Grip ₹120
14. Handle Bar (One Side) ₹1,330
15. Brake Pedal ₹700
16. Exhaust ₹26,310
17. Tail Light Assembly ₹4,570
18. Front Brake Pads ₹3260
19. Rear Brake Pads ₹850
20. Oil Filter ₹360
21. Chain Sprocket kit ₹5850
22. Oil chamber ₹4000
23. Fairing (one side) ₹5950
24. Rear panel ₹575
25. Headlight assembly ₹8000(approx)
26. Indicator Stay ₹150
27. Front Fairing (Body cowling) ₹1365
28. Headlight stay ₹900
29. RHS rear footrest 2 ₹880
30. Radiator ₹3800⁠⁠⁠⁠

Now some pics, I have tried my best to keep all the points although other members are free to ask any queries and can correct me if i have made any mistake.







https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5G...ew?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5G...ew?usp=sharing

Re: Yamaha YZF R3 Owners Reviews and Experiences

[MENTION=54046]Chandan92[/MENTION] thanks for the detailed info, especially the spares prices. However I had assumed the r3 could cruise safely at 145 kmph all day long. 110 kmph is R15 territory. A few questions to owners if you don't mind-

What sort of spark plug does the r3 use and when is the replacement interval for it?


What is the fuel filter replacement interval?

Can the r3 take bad roads without facing bent alloys, and suspension problems? Does the underbelly scrape on speed breakers?

Yamaha YZF R3 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Yes for that matter it could cruise easily at 140+ kmph but i like to keep things safe so on an average 110-120kmph is sufficient.

Spark plugs used are CR8E, change interval is 10,000 kms. Fuel filter is inspected every 10,000 kms and replaced if necessary.

Have been to bad roads alloys held up pretty well but in some R3s front alloys do got bend.

Without pillion never scraped any speed breakers but with pillion you have to go slow over breakers otherwise you would scrape.

Re: Yamaha YZF R3 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Thanks for the honest review. One of the most active R3 owners here AFAIK. And very informative on the spares cost.

Definitely ABS should have been atleast as an option. But Yamaha might have their own reason.

Just one clarification. Most of the spares ( levers,clip ons, chain sprocket set ...)seems to be way cheaper for an imported bike. Especially the chain sprocket kit which is just below 6K whereas for the other CKD bikes it costs more than 15K and R3 has O-ring type ?.
Do you happened to know whether the spares are being imported or sourced locally ?

Happy and safe riding.

Re: Yamaha YZF R3 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Hi Chandan,

Thanks for a detailed review of the bike. This review really helps a prospective buyer. I had questions regarding the engine oil. If I tell the Yamaha service guy to use Motul 7100, will the warranty get lapsed? Will the service guy agree to use a different oil?

Re: Yamaha YZF R3 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Most of the major spares are imported from indonesia, even headlight bulbs are imported. Yes, chain sprockets are imported too and R3 has O- ring type.

Life of spares like chain sprocket and brake pads are quite good, done approx 15k kms still it can go till 20k kms easily same applies for brake pads.

Using different brand engine oil mainly depends on your rapport with svc, although yamaha only recommends to follow the grade so if you're using 10W40 grade warranty would not void.

Re: Yamaha YZF R3 Owners Reviews and Experiences

What is the tank range are you getting now, after a year .?

Re: Yamaha YZF R3 Owners Reviews and Experiences

R3 has 14L tank out of which 3L is kept as a reserve so i fuel when it hits the reserve, it means 11L when you don't use reserve fuel. I get around 300 kms on an average on highway. Sometimes it increases if roads are good.

Re: Yamaha YZF R3 Owners Reviews and Experiences

To be fair, I don't think they account for Indian road condition.

Re: Yamaha YZF R3 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Recently took the bike to lonavala and I must say it is butter smooth even at speeds of 140+ Really happy with the decision to buy this machine. Thanks to all the inputs here!

Re: Yamaha YZF R3 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Any R3 owners who took the test drive of the new RC 390? Is the power delivery comparable.. R3 test ride not available in lucknow.. not even a showroom piece..bike available only on booking amount of 50k.. Took a TD of the new RC. much refined over previous model but stance still a bit aggressive and there are vibrations everywhere still.. R15 V1 felt like a sofa after riding it. I am confused now. R3 does come barebone and RC is fully loaded..Should i just buy the RC or take a chance with the Yamaha R3 ?

Re: Yamaha YZF R3 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Sir, I recommend you to take test drive, shoot a mail to yamaha. Without TD I don't recommend a bike because it's your hard earned money which you are putting in and you should satisfy with your purchase. RC and R3 are different R3 is more refined because of twin cylinder and RC is a beast in single cylinder segment.

Re: Yamaha YZF R3 Owners Reviews and Experiences

You will probably get a biased reply here because we all have selected R3 over RC390 [emoji12] on a serious note I haven't tried the new model but did take a test ride of the old one when I was deciding on the bike.. my reply may sound cliched but I will say it depends on the usage you are looking for.. I personally prefer more calm and composed feeling of the engine over RC. Is the test ride for ninja 300 available in your city? You might try that once because the nature of R3 will be closer to ninja... RC to R3 will be apples to oranges IMO

Re: Yamaha YZF R3 Owners Reviews and Experiences

They dont have even a single R3 in lucknow.. all showrooms combined.. and i think R3 doea have a no test ride policy.. its only on dealers discretion.

Re: Yamaha YZF R3 Owners Reviews and Experiences

My first choice was the N300 but the dealership network now is scarce to say the least and they dont a showroom anywhere in UP except NCR.Now it does not seem a very smart choice alrhough it is indeed a very capable bike..
The R3 i have only sat on once that too almost a year back and i didnt realy like the rear pegs.. worse than those on the R15 V1. also the recent recalls and code 19 stuff has somewhat eroded the confidence i had in Yamaha. Plus its super rare and i havent seen even a single one on road innmy region..