ZEEGNITION/Ishaan Rastogi
Yamaha has launched the highly anticipated 321cc YZF-R3 sports bike in India. The newly developed offering from the Japanese manufacturer is priced at Rs 3.25 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Yamaha Motor India Group became the first company to launch superbikes in India when in 2008 the R1, FZ-1 and VMAX were unleashed on Indian roads. Additionally, the company was also the first to launch a 150cc category sports bike by launching the more pocket friendly YZF-R15. In an attempt to continue with its tradition of offering quick bikes to the ever growing number of bikers in India, the Japanese manufacturers has now launched another pocket rocket in the form of the eagerly anticipated YZF-R3. The grand India launch took place at the Buddh International Circuit; the most suitable place to launch a sports bike designed keeping the company’s racing heritage in mind.
The YZF-R3 features a newly developed 321cc, liquid cooled, 4-stroke, in-line 2-cylinder, fuel-injected engine with an all-new chassis design. The bike has been styled taking cues from its superbike cousins and will be available in two colour schemes- Racing Blue and Lightening Black. The bike also boasts of class-leading power paired with a lightweight body-shell which should ensure that it has great riding performance. Yamaha claims that the bike is lithe and nimble and yet possesses an easy-to-use character accentuated by a riding position that’s good for sporty riding and results in less rider fatigue.
Mr. Roy Kurian, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Yamaha Motor India Sales Private Limited said, "The YZF-R3 is a model that takes the R-Series technology and know-how Yamaha has accumulated since the original YZF-R1 and brings the world of the YZF line-up to the 320cc displacement class. It inherits the high level of riding performance and styling DNA worthy of an R-Series model while also being easy to handle in daily use. The YZF-R3 is expected to attract younger racing enthusiasts looking for their first racing bike. Currently the Supersports segment (250cc to 600cc) is doing around 1000 bikes a month and our plan is to attain a 20% market share in the segment."
The YZF-R series features a wide line-up, beginning with the YZF-R1 (998cc) super-sports flagship model, followed by the YZF-R6 (599cc), YZF-R25 (249cc), YZF-R15 (150cc), and YZF-R125 (125cc). The new R3 model being launched in India will be assembled in India at Yamaha Motor's plant and is priced at Rs 3.25 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
