When Yamaha made the R7 it created an interesting comparison to the R3, as well as how a modded out R3 stacks up to an R7 in cost and performance - since the R7 already has great tires S22's), adjustable suspension, and significantly more power out of the box - while not being significantly heavier - with no mods done at all (so future potential is a bonus). If one throws everything at the R3, the end result is still well down on power. Putting aside dealer prep and taxes, the R7 is less costly than a fully modded R3. Further, a fully modified R3 will have a reduced retail value over a stock, or nearly stock, higher performing R7. The only liability to the R7 is it's seat height for some riders, as it sits 2.2" higher (about the height of an R3 with a Ninja 600 shock under it).
The point here is not to deride the R3, but point out that is not ultimately a performance platform. It is a relatively light, small displacement, lively handling sport bike, that is targeted for novice riders, and riders who are looking for a high value return on a low priced motorcycle, that are not focused on ultimate performance. It will never be more than that, even if you invest 75% of its value in upgrades. In stock form, for the target audience, the R3 is a great value. And, as long as mod costs are kept to a minimum, this value remains very strong, as the market segment is very active right now.
Exceptions exist for those racing in small displacement classes. However, for street riders who want higher performance, trading in a low mile, clean, unmolested R3 to move up to the R7 seems to make more sense (and will ultimately cost less) than spending $4,500 to make a $5,100 R3 worth $3,800 when it is time to move on (modded bikes have a much smaller audience, so tend to sell below pristine bone stock bikes. Dealers also favor stock over modded examples when offering trade in value). Further, the R3 used market today is very strong, so selling it to move up will not be a significant cost disadvantage, particularly to those who bought a low mileage used bike (without the dealer costs tagged onto it) from the start.
Here is a rough summary that illustrates the point:
It appears that Yamaha anticipated the desire of many R3 owners to move up once they have got the addicting to motorcycling, so planted the R7 squarely in their path forward. Jumping on the R7 from the R3 is not going to require a significant adjustment, other than getting used to more power and a higher saddle. The R7 includes many of the features R3 modifiers are adding to their bikes... as standard. Interesting and smart marketing.
The question then is.. do you set a little aside to step up, rather than spending it on the R3 for mods, and enjoy it for what it is. Or, do you sink the money into the R3 and ultimately lose it should you decide to trade up in the future?
For me, keeping the costs of changes to the R3 as low as possible is the rule. It is not the bike to spend a lot of money on. Others will obviously see it differently - which is cool, and why bikes are such a unique hobby for us all.
The point here is not to deride the R3, but point out that is not ultimately a performance platform. It is a relatively light, small displacement, lively handling sport bike, that is targeted for novice riders, and riders who are looking for a high value return on a low priced motorcycle, that are not focused on ultimate performance. It will never be more than that, even if you invest 75% of its value in upgrades. In stock form, for the target audience, the R3 is a great value. And, as long as mod costs are kept to a minimum, this value remains very strong, as the market segment is very active right now.
Exceptions exist for those racing in small displacement classes. However, for street riders who want higher performance, trading in a low mile, clean, unmolested R3 to move up to the R7 seems to make more sense (and will ultimately cost less) than spending $4,500 to make a $5,100 R3 worth $3,800 when it is time to move on (modded bikes have a much smaller audience, so tend to sell below pristine bone stock bikes. Dealers also favor stock over modded examples when offering trade in value). Further, the R3 used market today is very strong, so selling it to move up will not be a significant cost disadvantage, particularly to those who bought a low mileage used bike (without the dealer costs tagged onto it) from the start.
Here is a rough summary that illustrates the point:
| R3 | ||
| Mod | Cost | Benefit (HP) |
| Stock | $ 5,100.00 | 35 |
| Full Exhaust w/ECU | $ 1,300.00 | 3 |
| Airbox/velocity stacks | $ 250.00 | 2.5 |
| Throttle body bore | $ 500.00 | 2.5 |
| Total with Max Performance Mods | $ 7,150.00 | |
| Levers | $ 150.00 | |
| Tail tidy | $ 150.00 | |
| R6 Throttle | $ 30.00 | |
| Tires update | $ 350.00 | |
| Fork cartridge | $ 900.00 | |
| Rear shock | $ 750.00 | |
| Brake pads | $ 40.00 | |
| Brake lines | $ 132.00 | |
| R3 Total | $ 9,652.00 | 43 |
| Weight lbs | 375 | - |
| Pound per HP | 8.72 | - |
| Length | 82.3 | - |
| Wheelbase | 54.3 | - |
| Trail | 3.7 | - |
| Rake | 25D | - |
| Seat Height | 30.7 | - |
| Fuel capacity | 3.7 | - |
| Mileage | 56 | - |
| R7 | ||
| Mod | Cost | Benefit (HP) |
| Stock | $ 8,999.00 | 71 |
| Levers | $ 150.00 | 0 |
| Tail tidy | $ 150.00 | 0 |
| R7 Total | $ 9,299.00 | 71 |
| Summary differences | Gain over R3 | |
| Weight lbs | 414 | 39 |
| Pound per HP | 5.83 | -2.89 |
| Length | 81.5 | -0.80 |
| Wheelbase | 54.9 | 0.60 |
| Trail | 3.5 | 0.20 |
| Rake | 23d40' | 1d20' |
| Seat Height | 32.9 | 2.20 |
| Fuel capacity | 3.4 | -0.30 |
| Mileage | 58 | 2.00 |
It appears that Yamaha anticipated the desire of many R3 owners to move up once they have got the addicting to motorcycling, so planted the R7 squarely in their path forward. Jumping on the R7 from the R3 is not going to require a significant adjustment, other than getting used to more power and a higher saddle. The R7 includes many of the features R3 modifiers are adding to their bikes... as standard. Interesting and smart marketing.
The question then is.. do you set a little aside to step up, rather than spending it on the R3 for mods, and enjoy it for what it is. Or, do you sink the money into the R3 and ultimately lose it should you decide to trade up in the future?
For me, keeping the costs of changes to the R3 as low as possible is the rule. It is not the bike to spend a lot of money on. Others will obviously see it differently - which is cool, and why bikes are such a unique hobby for us all.
