Motorcycle specifications YamahaMT-03 320 2019 The lightweight challenge

Briefly eclipsed from the range, the little MT-03 roadster only missed 2017 and part of the 2018 season. Had the galoot gone into hiding to revamp its wardrobe? Nonsense. He was just absent to adapt to Euro4. As a result, he skipped a collection to regain his health: he coughs less fat, retains his assets and finery, and raises his banner to continue his light conquests in the 300/400 segment. The powertrain has been revised to meet new standards, and... no other changes in sight. The little Yam is far from naughty and will continue to arouse curiosity. But now there's no question of confusing it with the atypical machine of the previous decade. The misleading name could lead the mind to the ex-MT-03, the roadster-supermot with XT mono, released in the mid-2000s after a great reception for the eponymous concept-bike. Who's got it wrong again? Okay, we'll forgive you if you're curious.

under the skin, there are people we know. Let's have a look. Tubular steel frame with 35 mm cross-sections, engine as structural member of the chassis, 298 mm front brake disc with double-piston caliper, 220 mm rear disc, 41 mm fork, not too wide (and responsive) 110 and 140 mm tires... That's exactly what the R3 sports bike has to offer. It's sure to flatter the owner. A roadster derived from a sports bike is always a hit. Yamaha has stripped its mid-displacement YZF naked to create the MT-03. A more upright riding position, less plastic, a suit with a hint of aggression, and you're on your way. But with what kind of power and mill?

a twin-cylinder. The engine that's most symbiotic with the bike. This 321 cm3 block contains all the latest and most widespread solutions. 4 valves per cylinder, fuel injection, double ACT, forged pistons, case-hardened connecting rods and super-square ribs: technology you'll forget as soon as the bike is running. Because once you're out and about with friends, will the MT-03 be able to tease the girls in the club? Yes, there's plenty to do. Maximum power, reached above 10,000 rpm, is 42 hp. A small 3 mkg comes on top. These values lie between the former Kawa Z 300 and the KTM 390 Duke, and above all, not so far from the CB 500. 6 hp separate them, but the Yamaha roadster weighs 24 kilos less. When it's time for a fight, it's time for a bit of teasing.

with the MT-03, A2 license holders have another choice for discovering the consistency of a medium-displacement bike. There's no need for a throttle - the bike is below the legal limit - ABS as standard, a decent overall weight, albeit a little heavier than the 390 Duke, an accessible seat height of 780 mm, a sporty touch with the dashboard, also taken from the R3, and the MT family's nasty little look. The main obstacle for this MT-03 320 will be, as for all its friends, its proximity in price to higher-end machines. For 1500 euros more, the MT-07 offers a formidable price/pleasure/performance ratio and a very different resale value.

******May 2019 update:

On May 9, 2019, Yamaha launched a recall campaign for its YZF-R3 and MT-03 for a problem with a fragile front brake lever.

Nature of the problem:

Under certain circumstances, the front brake lever can break during use due to porosity formed by unsaturated material during the low-temperature, non-pressure molding process. Further investigation revealed that these suspect levers should have been identified during the testing process and scrapped, but accidentally found their way onto the production line due to an incorrect cycle.
Under normal use, the brake lever cannot break.

To remedy this, Yamaha is launching a recall campaign to check the production markings on the front brake lever and replace it if necessary.

A total of 115 machines are affected for the French market.

Machines concerned :

- MT-03 (B9A7) with serial numbers between RH125 0010041 and RH125 0010640.

- YZF-R3 (B7P1) with serial numbers between RH12D 0002001 and RH12D 0002315.

Yamaha specifies that customers owning these machines have been notified by registered mail and should make an appointment as soon as possible with their Yamaha dealer to have this intervention carried out free of charge.

*****December 2018 update:

Yamaha has recalled its YZF-R3 and MT-03 for two defects: one on the radiator hose side, the other at the selector level.

Here are the details of these two recalls:

1 / Radiator hose failure

Due to incorrect material properties resulting from an improper curing process (vulcanization), a crack may appear on a radiator hose, and in extreme cases, coolant may leak. Yamaha is therefore initiating a recall campaign to replace the radiator hose(s).

Customers owning these machines have been notified by registered mail and must make an appointment as soon as possible with their Yamaha dealer to have this intervention carried out free of charge.

Machines concerned:
- YZF-R3 model 2017 (BR51) with serial numbers between RH121 0001001 and RH121 0003280.
- YZF-R3 models 2015-2016 (B023 / B02B) with serial numbers between RH071 0001001 and RH071 0006680.
- MT03 model 2018 (B9A1) with serial numbers between RH125 0001001 and RH125 0005280.
- MT03 model 2016 (B082) with serial numbers between RH07K 0001001 and RH07K 0006640.

A total of 1101 machines for the French market.

2/ Defective selector torsion spring

The torsion spring is not sufficiently strong due to an inadequate shot-blasting process. As a result, it can be difficult to change gear ratios on some machines. In extreme cases, the torsion spring may break, making it impossible to change gear ratios. Yamaha is therefore launching a recall campaign to replace the torsion spring.

Customers owning these machines have been notified by registered mail and should make an appointment as soon as possible with their Yamaha dealer to have this intervention carried out free of charge.

Machines concerned:

- YZF-R3 2015-2016 (B023 / B02B) with serial numbers between RH071 0001001 and RH071 0006000.
- MT03 model 2016 (B082) with serial numbers between RH07K 0001001 and RH07K 0004520.

A total of 731 machines for the French market.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos