My first real ride.....impressions

5952 Views 13 Replies 8 Participants Last post by YamahaR3, Jul 22, 2015

YamahaR3

Discussion Starter · Jun 17, 2015

Although I'd taken my bike on short jaunts, I'd never taken it to work before, a 40 mile round trip, because it's been pouring down rain every day. I knew that this long trip would make it work and would test its ability to be a comfortable commuter. I know I always compare it to a Majesty, but that's all I have to compare it to.

I took the back roads which are TERRIBLE. I won't even bring my car back there, it's just too bad. But it's shorter with slower speeds and far less traffic (for obvious reasons), so its a perfect motorcycle road. Well, there was one section with hundreds of little "humps" where holes have been patched. On the Majesty my vision would get blurry it was so bad over those humps. I mean it was horrible. This bike I literally felt like I was on a cushion of air going over them. In fact, I turned and looked to make sure they hadn't repaired the road since I'd ridden that way. They hadn't, that bike rides THAT well.

Further down the road there is a bad spot where the Majesty almost gets airborne where they dug up an old drain pipe a long time ago and replaced it and half-assed put the road on top. I hit that with the R3 and it had a slight bump and right over. Like it was nothing. That bike rides better over that section of road than even my 20K dollar car does.

As far as keeping up with traffic, the Majesty you had to get on it to keep up with anyone who really wanted to leave you behind. With this bike, if you want to go faster, you just twist the throttle a little more. It's just so effortless. On the Majesty it's like the engine was working hard above 55 or so. On this bike I got it up to 70 this morning on a 2 lane and it felt like it was just getting warmed up. And I love that I can go down to 35 in 6th gear without shifting. That's wonderful.

I can't be happier with this bike. No, this bike's seating position isn't as comfy as the Majesty but the ride quality far makes up for it.

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SteadyEddie4

· #2 · Jun 17, 2015

Would you pay $2000 more for 320cc r1?

I have been in the industry for years and i know that manufacturers have more buying power than consumers. Yamaha can offer a performance package on a limited edition r3 at huge savings compared to what you and me would have to pay.

How many of you like myself would have paid $2000.00 more for let's say a r3cubed, which enjoys Brembo brakes, Ohlins suspension, o/x ring chain and proper tires?

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Ravaloft

· #3 · Jun 17, 2015

Lol. I would even after already purchasing the bike.

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YR3

· #4 · Jun 17, 2015

Great first impressions.

What bikes have you owned in the past?

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SteadyEddie4

· #5 · Jun 18, 2015

5 H-D Sportsters, 4 Buells, 3 H-D Dyna Glides, 3 H-D Electra Glides, 1 Softail, 1925 H-D JE, XS1100 Yamaha, 250 Ducati, DS100 Suzuki, 600 Ninja and a few more and now a 2015 r3.

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gevR3

· #6 · Jun 19, 2015

YamahaR3 said:
Although I'd taken my bike on short jaunts, I'd never taken it to work before, a 40 mile round trip, because it's been pouring down rain every day. I knew that this long trip would make it work and would test its ability to be a comfortable commuter. I know I always compare it to a Majesty, but that's all I have to compare it to.

I took the back roads which are TERRIBLE. I won't even bring my car back there, it's just too bad. But it's shorter with slower speeds and far less traffic (for obvious reasons), so its a perfect motorcycle road. Well, there was one section with hundreds of little "humps" where holes have been patched. On the Majesty my vision would get blurry it was so bad over those humps. I mean it was horrible. This bike I literally felt like I was on a cushion of air going over them. In fact, I turned and looked to make sure they hadn't repaired the road since I'd ridden that way. They hadn't, that bike rides THAT well.

Further down the road there is a bad spot where the Majesty almost gets airborne where they dug up an old drain pipe a long time ago and replaced it and half-assed put the road on top. I hit that with the R3 and it had a slight bump and right over. Like it was nothing. That bike rides better over that section of road than even my 20K dollar car does.

As far as keeping up with traffic, the Majesty you had to get on it to keep up with anyone who really wanted to leave you behind. With this bike, if you want to go faster, you just twist the throttle a little more. It's just so effortless. On the Majesty it's like the engine was working hard above 55 or so. On this bike I got it up to 70 this morning on a 2 lane and it felt like it was just getting warmed up. And I love that I can go down to 35 in 6th gear without shifting. That's wonderful.

I can't be happier with this bike. No, this bike's seating position isn't as comfy as the Majesty but the ride quality far makes up for it.

hi i have a question? will the R3 have a hard time on a long interstate ride??

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YamahaR3

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 19, 2015 (Edited)

I would say no, but it's not designed for that. I find it too uncomfy to ride for much more than the long ride to work that I have. I do find it pretty amazing to cruise at 35 in 6th gear and be indicating 75-80mpg. Most people love high speed on this bike, I love low speed. I guess because at low speed I can hear the engine. Above 45 all I hear is wind.

In the past I've owned a Yamaha Vino and Majesty.

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Mase

· #8 · Jun 19, 2015

gevR3 said:
hi i have a question? will the R3 have a hard time on a long interstate ride??

My favourite time riding is blasting along the freeway. If you're worried about power, it's still faster than most cars out there. Comfort really depends on your body type. I'm a smaller guy and I feel like I can ride this bike all day on the freeway.

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YamahaR3

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 21, 2015

I'm a smaller body type as well and after 40 minutes I've had enough. But after 40 min I had enough of the Majesty as well. My butt just starts to hurt at around the half hour mark. Same thing on my 4 wheeler.

The one thing that I dont like is the wind noise. The Majesty had great wind protection, this bike, not so much.

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ahakanc90

· #10 · Jun 21, 2015

YamahaR3 said:
I'm a smaller body type as well and after 40 minutes I've had enough. But after 40 min I had enough of the Majesty as well. My butt just starts to hurt at around the half hour mark. Same thing on my 4 wheeler.

The one thing that I dont like is the wind noise. The Majesty had great wind protection, this bike, not so much.

Have you tried leaning forward and hiding behind the wind shield?

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FangShui

· #11 · Jun 21, 2015 (Edited)

YamahaR3 said:
I'm a smaller body type as well and after 40 minutes I've had enough. But after 40 min I had enough of the Majesty as well. My butt just starts to hurt at around the half hour mark. Same thing on my 4 wheeler.

The one thing that I dont like is the wind noise. The Majesty had great wind protection, this bike, not so much.

I've done a 150 mile ride with two short stops with no issues at all.

I have one of these on my R3 and it works really well at directing air wherever you want it and it stops wind noise and buffeting. It's also easy on/easy off with an allen key.

This site has other wind deflectors.......this is the cheapest.

http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=2205

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