To start, I've been riding for 47 years, starting with a beautiful black/chrome Yamaha 1963 YG1 (80cc) as a commuter in 1974. I've owned several bikes since, including a 73 Kawi Z1, 75 Yamaha XS650 Electric, 04 Aprilia Falco, 79 Kawi KZ 650, a couple Honda dirt bikes, etc... I tend to own one bike at a time, and put a lot of miles on them. I have modified many, and left others stock. So, I did not buy the R3 as a starter bike.
I chose the R3 after searching through dozens of alternatives. I was looking for something light, nimble, easy to ride, attractive, and modern. I wanted to end the constant tuning of carburetors, and wanted a water cooled engine. I was also looking for a new bike, or near new. I am not in the need of a track bike, or something that can drag race a Corvette. I don't ride bikes to be a street terror, I ride for the enjoyment of the weather, countryside, and being in the wind.
I wanted to spend no more than $5K out the door (taxes, registration, etc.. included).
My R3 is a 2017, purchased in 2020 from a dealer. It had 342 miles on it, as the previous owner did not enjoy riding ( so it sat in a garage unused), but had already installed a lowering kit and some other mods that kept it from getting full retail value. I have since removed all of the aftermarket parts and returned it to stock. The only changes I have made to the bike is to remove a couple of fairing stickers, shaved the passenger pegs (machined an extra set of mounts), installed the rear solo fairing, and built a pillion seat bag setup (from a purchased seat spare) for days when I need to carry stuff. Due to my adult weight, I updated the rear shock to the 2019 part (ebay find from a bike with 300 miles on it), and changed fork springs from the stock ,65Kg to .825Kg rate (Traxxon).
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I find the R3 the best bike I have ever owned. It is flexible, nimble, quick enough to be fun, and comfortable. It's exactly what I was looking for. It is faster than all of the older bikes I have owned, and lighter. It's not even close to being as quick as the Falco (which I never really liked, and got rid of because it was more bike than is needed for any street riding I do.)
The R3 motor is a wonderful little power plant. It will putt around in parking lots and slow traffic without complaint, then rip to redline when its time to have some real fun. It revs easily, is smooth, responsive, and predictable. I have learned to match gear to power demand, which is necessary due to its higher RPM power delivery. While the bark of a liter bike has its charms, the R3 delivers a very enjoyable sound.
Of all the bikes I have owned that has inspired a compulsion to ride at every available opportunity, the R3 and the XS650 are the top of the list. I put thousands of miles on the 650. I find the R3 better in every way. It is a pleasure to ride, whether on a commute or in the country. The riding position is spot on (5'9", 30" inseam), and while the seat is a little hard, it is fine for 60 to 90 minute rides before taking a break.
I rode several other small bikes, including the Ninja 400, R300, RC390, MT03... and found the R3 fit me best of all. The RC was too much of a racer ergos and goofy looks for me, the R300 too boring and weak, and the the Ninja less comfortable. The MT03 vs R3 showed me that even a little fairing helps control wind better than the naked bike. The MT03 sitting position is too upright, which makes the seat too hard and the wind a bigger force to deal with. The R3 is less tiring than the other over longer rides. I did not find the 2019+ R3 riding position better, I find it worse for me, by putting more weight on my wrists.
The clutch is smooth, and the brakes predictable. While I do appreciate the dual front disks from other bikes, I believe that the single disc on the R3 is more than capable for a bike of its weight, and 110 front tire. More would not be better, as the tire would not take a lot more than what the brakes are capable of. Everyone should be using both brakes when stopping, and the R3 setup rewards the rider for using both front and rear together. I find the softness of the rubber brake lines (over braided) helps with smooth brake application, si see no need to change that.
I do have occasional issues with false neutrals, from not fully shifting into 2nd in a rush. A change in riding shoe made a big difference in this. I have also had to learn how to use the throttle to control engine braking, as the 11.2:1 compression ratio twin can be a little aggressive in off-throttle application at higher engine speeds. The Aprilia Falco had a slipper clutch to solve this. With some practice, I find that the R3 is fine without the trick clutch, but it's something that has to be learned, as chopping the throttle at any engine speed above 5000 RPM is too harsh. A little judicious and careful throttle application solves this, as does delaying down shifts to avoid higher engine RPMs in deceleration.
I am getting between 52 and 55 MPG.
I like the earlier dash of the 2017 over the all digital 2019+ display. The updated 2019 rear shock and adjustment to stiffer fork spring was an excellent adjustment for my weight, controlling pitch just fine for what I am doing on the bike.
I don't have any complaints about the R3, and expect to put some miles on it over the years to come.
I chose the R3 after searching through dozens of alternatives. I was looking for something light, nimble, easy to ride, attractive, and modern. I wanted to end the constant tuning of carburetors, and wanted a water cooled engine. I was also looking for a new bike, or near new. I am not in the need of a track bike, or something that can drag race a Corvette. I don't ride bikes to be a street terror, I ride for the enjoyment of the weather, countryside, and being in the wind.
I wanted to spend no more than $5K out the door (taxes, registration, etc.. included).
My R3 is a 2017, purchased in 2020 from a dealer. It had 342 miles on it, as the previous owner did not enjoy riding ( so it sat in a garage unused), but had already installed a lowering kit and some other mods that kept it from getting full retail value. I have since removed all of the aftermarket parts and returned it to stock. The only changes I have made to the bike is to remove a couple of fairing stickers, shaved the passenger pegs (machined an extra set of mounts), installed the rear solo fairing, and built a pillion seat bag setup (from a purchased seat spare) for days when I need to carry stuff. Due to my adult weight, I updated the rear shock to the 2019 part (ebay find from a bike with 300 miles on it), and changed fork springs from the stock ,65Kg to .825Kg rate (Traxxon).
I find the R3 the best bike I have ever owned. It is flexible, nimble, quick enough to be fun, and comfortable. It's exactly what I was looking for. It is faster than all of the older bikes I have owned, and lighter. It's not even close to being as quick as the Falco (which I never really liked, and got rid of because it was more bike than is needed for any street riding I do.)
The R3 motor is a wonderful little power plant. It will putt around in parking lots and slow traffic without complaint, then rip to redline when its time to have some real fun. It revs easily, is smooth, responsive, and predictable. I have learned to match gear to power demand, which is necessary due to its higher RPM power delivery. While the bark of a liter bike has its charms, the R3 delivers a very enjoyable sound.
Of all the bikes I have owned that has inspired a compulsion to ride at every available opportunity, the R3 and the XS650 are the top of the list. I put thousands of miles on the 650. I find the R3 better in every way. It is a pleasure to ride, whether on a commute or in the country. The riding position is spot on (5'9", 30" inseam), and while the seat is a little hard, it is fine for 60 to 90 minute rides before taking a break.
I rode several other small bikes, including the Ninja 400, R300, RC390, MT03... and found the R3 fit me best of all. The RC was too much of a racer ergos and goofy looks for me, the R300 too boring and weak, and the the Ninja less comfortable. The MT03 vs R3 showed me that even a little fairing helps control wind better than the naked bike. The MT03 sitting position is too upright, which makes the seat too hard and the wind a bigger force to deal with. The R3 is less tiring than the other over longer rides. I did not find the 2019+ R3 riding position better, I find it worse for me, by putting more weight on my wrists.
The clutch is smooth, and the brakes predictable. While I do appreciate the dual front disks from other bikes, I believe that the single disc on the R3 is more than capable for a bike of its weight, and 110 front tire. More would not be better, as the tire would not take a lot more than what the brakes are capable of. Everyone should be using both brakes when stopping, and the R3 setup rewards the rider for using both front and rear together. I find the softness of the rubber brake lines (over braided) helps with smooth brake application, si see no need to change that.
I do have occasional issues with false neutrals, from not fully shifting into 2nd in a rush. A change in riding shoe made a big difference in this. I have also had to learn how to use the throttle to control engine braking, as the 11.2:1 compression ratio twin can be a little aggressive in off-throttle application at higher engine speeds. The Aprilia Falco had a slipper clutch to solve this. With some practice, I find that the R3 is fine without the trick clutch, but it's something that has to be learned, as chopping the throttle at any engine speed above 5000 RPM is too harsh. A little judicious and careful throttle application solves this, as does delaying down shifts to avoid higher engine RPMs in deceleration.
I am getting between 52 and 55 MPG.
I like the earlier dash of the 2017 over the all digital 2019+ display. The updated 2019 rear shock and adjustment to stiffer fork spring was an excellent adjustment for my weight, controlling pitch just fine for what I am doing on the bike.
I don't have any complaints about the R3, and expect to put some miles on it over the years to come.
