Road test of YamahaMT-03 2007 Fun concept

i confess: on reading the technical data sheet, and especially when I meditated on the power provided by the mono, I judged this Yam' as a machine based mainly on design, but probably anemic when it came to riding. Hasty... and almost repressive, as the MT-03 set itself the task of quickly putting me in my place:

well, not immediately. On this spring Tuesday, I meet this young minx from the world of Japanese manga. She knows she's different and plays up her subtleties. Charmed or curious, the eye takes its time to wander along this little motorcycle that has escaped from the design salons. It's a machine that smells of sweetness, of adolescence... It's a little wild, but it's also a lot of work, with a finish that meets Yamaha's self-imposed quality standards. The swingarm and lateral suspension system are a delight to behold. Only the tiny instrument panel stands out a little: we'd prefer something more stylish than minimalist.

big handlebars, a vibrating single; you're quickly into the swing of things, and the announcement is made as soon as the first gear is engaged: it's not going to be a dull ride.
Sitting naturally and leaning forward towards the cockpit, arms outstretched and the sound of the mono to accompany it, the MT-03 takes off smoothly for a ride through la Belledonne. Its personality quickly reveals itself: light, maneuverable and playful, the bike immediately puts you at ease. a 1-minute adjustment and we're off to the mountains that watch over the Dauphinoise region.

right, left, shudder for the squirrel and boots that rub near the fir trees, the MT-03 is a real toy to take up the twists and turns and climb the passes. Admittedly, the mill isn't very powerful, but it's got enough personality and, above all, a good mid-range potato to make it a lot of fun. Fairly supple in the first gears (it pounds away under 3,000 rpm in the higher gears), the 660 cm3 gives its all between 3,000 and 5,500 rpm. There's no need to look beyond that: the mono-engine vibrates excessively after 6,500 rpm, turning good piston waves into unpleasant tingling.
Short gearing, good scoops and large handlebars combine to make riding a lively experience. The bike jumps from corner to corner with enthusiasm and spontaneity. A no-nonsense performer, not at all vicious, stable and agile, this roadster offers much more than you'd expect.
After a few bends, cornering speed naturally increases... and the leg instinctively stretches inwards. No doubt about it, the MT-03 has supermotard genes. Why didn't I take a cross-country helmet, which would fit much better than my full-face? It's impossible not to have fun when the road twists and turns.
The 45 horsepower you have at your disposal sometimes proves insufficient, especially when the straights between 2 bends drag on and on... Advantage : you can turn the handle without a second thought and without the risk of the rear wheel slipping off.

it seems obvious, but I want to confirm it... and as expected, the MT-03 is as at ease on the freeway as a fish on sand. Protection non-existent, cruising speed recommended between 125 and 135 km/h (before starting the fight against the wind), engine not designed for this kind of use... Let's go into town instead and see if I'm there.

the wide handlebars are cool, but for passing between queues of cars, they're a bit of a handicap. It's a pity, because the machine is just begging to be ridden, using and abusing its remarkable agility. It's in the city that the MT-03's shortcomings really come to the fore: lights that are difficult to read in daylight (or even non-existent when the sun is at its zenith), suspension that's a little dry on rough roads, and a seat height that leaves me with a Cornelian choice for my feet and my 1.73m height: either I put only the tips of my legs on the ground, or one of them completely touches the asphalt.

green! A flick of the wrist and the MT-03 leaps into action! A good little kick kicks you up the arse and straightens the front wheel effortlessly. Gears are quick to pick up, and so is the desire to play the fool, because the MT-03 is guaranteed to get you in a good mood as soon as you play with the single. On deceleration, it chirps and sputters as you descend to low revs. The "piston stroke" on deceleration adds to the fun, something the passenger may not appreciate. The seat is high and short, and the lady slips on the rider if he's not flexible when downshifting.

The big gag is when you remove the saddle to fit a trifle: there's no room. The only thing you can fit in the MT-03 is the tool kit, which is housed in the back of the passenger seat, and a special U made by ABUS (no brand name, but it's the only one available). To nitpick a little more, the kickstand is not easy to grasp, and there's no fuel gauge or coolant temperature indicator. And m..... - is a bit stingy for a €7,000 machine.

looks, fun, originality, entertainment - the MT-03 hits the nail on the head. A big, nimble, fun toy that appeals to everyone, the concept hits the bull's eye and excites the rider. The only minor problems are limited usability and practicality, a price tag on a par with that of the FZ6, Z 750 and 695 Monster, and an unenviable passenger seat. In short, a fine toy that takes its role very much to heart.

M.B
(photos Motoplanete and manufacturer)
Thanks to the YAMAHA GRENOBLE MOTO dealership