Cool news for the fans of naked small-displacement machines arriving from the house of Iwata, as the Japanese maker confirms the imminent launch of the MT-03, the unfaired version of the R3 machine surfaced last fall at EICMA in Milan, Italy.
The move doesn't come as a surprise for anyone, as Yamaha has made it clear that both faired and naked MT bikes will be launched in the small-displacement segment.
The approach is a very lucrative one, as Yamaha technically can deliver two bikes with a different vibe and character using only one platform, with a minimum of modifications in the manufacturing process.
After Yamaha revealed the R25 and its naked MT-25 sibling for the Asian markets, last November saw the YZF-R3 sport bike arriving in style and being a most rewarding small-displacement machine. It was only natural that the European and North American markets that got the R3 also receive a naked version in the shape of the MT-03.
A lighter, equally fun all-rounder sold for a very good price
Yamaha has a very good price policy for all the MT (FZ in the US) bikes, from the entry-point ones to the top of the line-up, and the new addition to the roster is expected to retail for an affordable price as well.
On the tech side, it's hard to believe that Yamaha will change anything. We are most likely looking at the same 321cc parallel twin liquid-cooled engine that packs 42 hp at 10,750 rpm and 29.6 Nm (21.8 lb-ft) of torque at 9,000 rpm, mated to the same 6-speed transmission. Still, with the absence of the fairing, the MT-03 will be a tad lighter, therefore, slightly nimbler.
Even though at the time of writing there was no mention of the MT-03 being rebadged as FZ-03 and therefore crossing the pond into the US, we believe this is only a matter of time until the official announcement is made.
The MT-03/FZ-03 is expected to slot under the fully-faired YZF-R3 machine that retails for roughly $5,000 in the States and € 5,400, Germany price.
Source: AutoEvolution
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