[Yamaha R3 News]

Following the recent unveiling of the MT-25 in Indonesia, introduction of the larger MT-320/FZ-03 is expected shortly.

The only official confirmation we have of the new naked model are patent filings that surfaced a few weeks ago.Regardless Yamaha's strategy for the naked MT/FZ series is following the same trajectory as the R25 and R3 did.

Yamaha is in for a tough fight in the budding light weight naked category. Honda has had their CB300F on the market for almost a year now, Kawasaki will be adding the Z300 alongside the Ninjette and even KTM has skin in the game with their new to America this summer Duke 390.

Look for the MT-320/FZ-03 to make its debut later this year at EICMA and AIMExpo.

 

[FangShui]

They've been sold in Asia already for a while and there is a thriving aftermarket for accessories already established.

See my post from yesterday...

http://www.r3-forums.com/forum/570-off-topic-discussion/25633-mt320-club-thailand-facebook.html

 

[Lollingthunder]

I like it, considering switching over the wife's bike to that when it drops in the US... but I don't understand why they felt the need to make the front headlight look near identical to the Honda CB300F.

 

[Ho11ywood195]

Its looks good I wonder what the starting price is going to be?

 

[ahakanc90]

so this will be lighter and faster than R3 because fairings are dropped?

 

[FangShui]

so this will be lighter and faster than R3 because fairings are dropped?

Without the fairings it should definitely weigh less, which should make it a bit quicker from stoplights and in accelerating, but it won't be as aerodynamic without the fairings so the top speed will suffer, so not faster.

This is assuming they keep the front and rear sprocket sizes the same as the R3...

 

[YR3]

Being quicker in those two areas mentioned is BIG, considering where most will be riding these, those changes result in big value added

 

[SLO]

That is a good looking ride!!

 

[quiksilver723]

Wow, I kinda like it.

 

[torrid_pace]

wil it come to n.a?

 

[HardRacing]

.

Yea.. as a FZ03.


.

 

[sauce360]

Looks great!
Any details and specs regarding seat height and such?
Trying to get the wife into riding but she's quite the shorty (5'0")

 

[Yamamama]

Trying to get the wife into riding but she's quite the shorty (5'0")

If she hasn't been riding much/at all so far, I'd be looking at weight and weight distribution as much as seat height. As long as she can get part of both feet on the ground even when the surface is uneven and/or sloped, what the issue is, is being able to support the bike with her leg strength, especially if she's coming to a stop somewhat unprepared as new riders often do. You might see if you can find a Honda CRF230M for her to learn on - slightly taller, but super light, and with motard-stye suspension with a lot of travel.

If she goes that way, you'll want to put a brake lever on - the stock one is huge and non-adjustable; before I put a Zeta lever on, I had to completely close the throttle before I could even reach the brake. Honda imported a ton of them but they sold poorly, but it's a terrific starter bike IMO, or a fun urban assault vehicle for anyone, just useless on the highway. I can tell you where there's one in Ohio, low mileage ...

 

[FangShui]

If she hasn't been riding much/at all so far, I'd be looking at weight and weight distribution as much as seat height. As long as she can get part of both feet on the ground even when the surface is uneven and/or sloped, what the issue is, is being able to support the bike with her leg strength, especially if she's coming to a stop somewhat unprepared as new riders often do. You might see if you can find a Honda CRF230M for her to learn on - slightly taller, but super light, and with motard-stye suspension with a lot of travel.

If she goes that way, you'll want to put a brake lever on - the stock one is huge and non-adjustable; before I put a Zeta lever on, I had to completely close the throttle before I could even reach the brake. Honda imported a ton of them but they sold poorly, but it's a terrific starter bike IMO, or a fun urban assault vehicle for anyone, just useless on the highway. I can tell you where there's one in Ohio, low mileage ...

+1 on the CRF230M. Great bike. Too bad 2009 was the last year they were sold in the U.S. They still sold them overseas until 2012.

Cycle World Review says: ". It’s incredibly easy to ride, almost effortlessly so; and, unlike most dual-sport-based machines, it allows short-legged folks to achieve firm footing at stops astride its narrow dirtbike-style saddle. Seat height is just 31.9 inches unladen and sinks nearly 2 inches when compressed under the weight of a 150-pound rider."

I believe the rear suspension is of the Link-type, so you could get a lowering
link kit for it and bring it down several inches.

View attachment 13097

 

[zchan]

Looks great!
Any details and specs regarding seat height and such?
Trying to get the wife into riding but she's quite the shorty (5'0")

I found the specs of the MT25 but it's in Indonesian language. They seem to love them.
If it's like the Honda CBR and CBF, the size and height will be almost the same as the R3. Minor changes in fairing/headlight are the only real differences.
I think I want one. I'm afraid of damaging the fairings on the R3.

 

[FangShui]

I found the specs of the MT25 but it's in Indonesian language. They seem to love them.
If it's like the Honda CBR and CBF, the size and height will be almost the same as the R3. Minor changes in fairing/headlight are the only real differences.
I think I want one. I'm afraid of damaging the fairings on the R3.

Just do a "Right Click". "Translate to English" any page you find. Google Translate isn't great with Indonesian but you should be able to figure it out.
You'll have to convert metric to inches, too.

As you said, all is the same as the R3 except headlight, bodywork, handlebars and the front tire is a 110/70-17

 

[Audiolad]

The official release MT03 (FZ03) North America. Look below for the Youtube hotkey:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cYmc4N5zOU

 

[pattonme]

the FZ might be geared lower by a tooth. The main benefit will be cheaper insurance rates - no plastic, no $$$$ outlay to replace.

 

[Capitalview]

That had to be one of the cheesiest and most annoying ads I have seen in awhile. Bike looks nice though.

 

[Freezuch]

Looks way better than CB300F!