2020 Yamaha MT-03 Review

The 2020 Yamaha MT-03 is the entry point to the brand's 'Maximum Torque' line of naked bikes. It's an entry-level machine for motorcycling newcomers seeking a marginally more relaxed ride position than that found on the Yamaha YZF-R3 sportsbike.

While both models share the same 321cc parallel-twin engine, the Yamaha MT-03 has a flat and broad handlebar and accommodating ergonomics that promote an upright riding stance, while the sporty YZF-R3 has clip-on handlebars and a more forward-inclined stance – it's a sportier ride position, and ultimately a little less comfortable as the hours tick by.

For 2020 the Yamaha MT-03 has received a mild update, with new frontal styling (including an LED headlight, LED position lights and LED indicators), a new and wider fuel tank cover and air scoops, a new inverted 37mm fork and revised settings for the rear monoshock.

The instrumentation is new too – a full LCD panel has replaced the previous analogue tacho/LCD speedo combination. The mechanical foundation, however – the engine, chassis and driveline – essentially remain unchanged.

At the heart of the MT-03 lies a 321cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valves-per-cylinder parallel-twin. Yamaha says the unit produces 42hp at 10,750rpm and 29.6Nm at 9000rpm. Slotted into a steel diamond chassis, the MT-03 has a 14-litre fuel tank and weighs in at 168kg (wet).

In the real world that means the MT-03 gets along just fine; it likes to rev and you'll spend plenty of time up the top of its rev range if you want to get amongst it. That's par for the course at the LAMS (Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme) end of the market but with its light weight the MT-03 accelerates quite briskly and easily holds its own in the traffic up to highway speeds (and a bit beyond).

At 100km/h in sixth the engine is spinning at 6250rpm and the rev limiter kicks in at 12,500rpm. The power delivery feels quite linear throughout while this parallel-twin is also impressively smooth, it's mirrors offering a clear and blur-free view to the rear.

The Yamaha MT-03's midrange is healthy enough too, which means you don't have to necessarily wring its neck for easy progress around town.

The clutch is really light and the six-speed gearbox shifts smoothly. The brakes offer reasonable power and feel given the intended market, which is to say they're not so powerful they'll pitch you over the handlebars with a good handful. It's only a single disc up front but it does the job, and everything is backed up by ABS.

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At 780mm, the seat position is low and the seat itself is quite narrow. You tend to sit 'in' the MT-03 rather than 'on' it, and the majority of riders shouldn't find it difficult to safely get a foot down at a standstill.

Having said that, the Yamaha MT-03 still affords a fair bit of legroom too. I'm 188cm and I found I fitted on this bike just fine, although anyone taller will find their knees don't quite fit flush with the tank's flanks.

But it's a short, easy reach to the handlebars, which give a secure feeling of control that any riding newcomer will appreciate. The neat little LCD screen is clear and easy to read and has all the basic functions you'd expect, including average and actual fuel consumption, a clock, and a gear indicator.

On the road the Yamaha MT-03 is a sweet little handler, with its modest weight, short 1380mm wheelbase and 25-degree rake adding up to a nimble package that's easy to thread through city traffic and tight confines. U-turns are a snap, and aided by the healthy steering range from lock to lock.

Obviously you don't expect top-shelf suspension at this end of the market but the Yamaha MT-03's inverted fork and monoshock are entirely adequate. The new inverted fork has no adjustment but the monoshock is adjustable for preload, provided you have a child's hands to allow you to get a C-spanner onto the preload collar.

In any case, I left the rear shock as it came to me and really there's very little to complain about. I'm not exactly a modest load at 95kg, but despite the ballast the MT-03 flicks into bends with very little effort, holds a line well and steers sweetly. It's stable too – there's no nasty surprises – although there isn't masses of damping and the ride can be a bit harsh over choppy surfaces.

It's not overly thirsty, as you'd expect. While in my care I achieved an average fuel economy of 4.5lt/100km, which gives a safe fuel range of around 290km from the 14-litre tank.

While many younger novice riders will invariably flock to the supersport styling of Yamaha's YZF-R3, there's plenty of appeal – I reckon, anyway – in this updated MT-03. Yamaha describes the LED position lights (or daytime running lights) as a 'dual slant-eye' set-up. I'm not so sure they actually even need a fancy tagline – in any case, along with the LED headlight they create a pretty cool appearance with more than a little bit of Transformers about it.

It's a real pity then that Yamaha's designers couldn't find somewhere else to put that horn. For all its progression, the new frontal styling puts the horn on show – it just looks plain ugly.

The 2020 Yamaha MT-03 is one of those bikes typified more by how it doesn't do anything badly, rather than standing out in any one aspect. It's just a pleasing, nicely made and practical little bike – a superb first bike, and also a capable and cost-effective commuter.

And at $7299 ride away it's also right in the ballpark with its arch rivals, namely Kawasaki's Z400 ($7312 ride away) and Honda's CB300R ($7362 ride away). They're also both very good machines, so make sure you get a test ride on each before you pull out your wallet.

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC parallel-twin
Capacity: 321cc
Bore x stroke: 68.0mm x 44.1mm
Compression ratio: 11.2:1
Engine management: Electronic fuel injection

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six speed
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Tubular-steel diamond
Front suspension: 37mm inverted fork, 130mm travel
Rear suspension: Monoshock, 125mm travel
Front brakes: Single 298mm disc with twin-piston caliper, ABS
Rear brake: 220mm disc with single-piston caliper, ABS
Tyres: Dunlop Sportmax GPR300; front 110/70-17, rear 140/70-17

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 25 degrees
Trail: 95mm
Claimed kerb weight: 168kg
Seat height: 780mm
Ground clearance: 160mm
Wheelbase: 1380mm
Fuel capacity: 14 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $7299 ride away
Test bike supplied by: Yamaha Motor Australia
Colours: Ice Fluo, Icon Blue, or Tech Black
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres