Buying a used Yamaha YZF-R3

Light, easy to flick around and responsive. That sounds like a recipe for fun, doesn’t it? The Yamaha YZF-R3 has earned a legion of fans for all those reasons.

Yamaha’s 310cc YZF-R3 parallel-twin launched into an ever more crowded learner market in 2015. Not only did it easily slip into Australia’s network of Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS) regimes, but it meets the second stage of the UK’s three-part graduated licensing system and several other variations on the theme around the world.

Built in Indonesia, it’s managed to gain a very strong following. As you might expect, it’s been freshened up over time, though the well-tried and proven basics have remained the same.

The R3 has also been the focus of single-model race series around the world, including Australia, which have produced some spectacularly tight contests.

On launch in 2015, the Yamaha YZF-R3 offered a stylish and sporty-looking package based on reasonably conventional technology.

The frame was a steel trellis, supported by a fork front end and monoshock rear. The latter had adjustment for preload. Braking was a single disc at both ends, with a two-piston caliper up front and a single on the rear. The system also ran ABS.

As for the powerplant, we’re talking a liquid-cooled and fuel-injected four-stroke parallel-twin claiming a reasonably healthy 42.1hp (31kW) in a package that weighed 170kg wet. The transmission was a six-speed unit.

For 2019, Yamaha decided on a styling upgrade that reflected a sharper sporting image, reflective of the bigger YZF brethren. While the driveline remained much the same (with some minor tweaks for Euro 4 compliance), the suspension came in for revision.

Both ends scored firmer rates while the front now had an upside-down fork. You also found yourself grabbing lower clip-on handlebars.

In 2022, the company did a visual refresh with minor styling changes and new colours, and largely left the underlying package alone. This was also when we got to see a special World GP 60th Anniversary edition in white livery.

From day one, it seems Yamaha went to a great deal of trouble to make the R3 an engaging ride regardless of its modest engine capacity. In fact, it turned the latter into a virtue.

The twin is redlined at 12,000rpm, while it makes max power at 10,750rpm and max torque at 9000rpm – heady stuff! That means it’s not making serious urge until about 5000rpm and is best when kept on the boil in the midrange.

While that may not be everyone’s proverbial cup of tea, in the right hands it comes across as an engaging sportsbike.

The six-speed transmission is slick enough, though there’s no slipper clutch. That means you need to get the co-ordination of your downshifts right to keep the thing stable on fast corner entry. Think of it as good training!

There was a significant shift in ride position with the 2019 model change, which gave it a more sporting feel. Along with that came upgraded and firmer suspension. We’re still not talking extreme and it remains a viable road bike if you’re simply cruising.

Braking is strong with good feel, and all R3s came with an ABS safety net. Meanwhile, it’s pretty miserly on fuel, easily achieving better than 5.0L/100km.

Being a parallel-twin, the R3 drivetrain should be relatively inexpensive to maintain. There are only two cylinders to deal with, under a common head, so workshop items such as valve clearance check and adjustment (due every 10,000km) shouldn’t be too time-consuming.

Oil change intervals are 5000km, and there’s a specific trip meter and warning lamp to help you remember. The oil filter is a spin-on type – easy to change. Air filters are due every 15,000km.

First-generation R3s underwent several recalls, most notably in the USA where lots of them were sold. The list of issues included: cracked radiator hoses, failed shifter shaft spring, failed clutch plate bearing, leaking front brake hose caused by a faulty bracket, failed fuel tank mounting bracket causing leaks, failed ignition switch due to corrosion. The number of bikes involved in some of the recalls was substantial – over 10,000.

However, as you would expect, Yamaha jumped in and dealt with the issues.

Some early 2019 second-generation bikes also had a recall in Australia, to replace the front brake lever.

That would suggest that you get any purchase of a 2019-and-earlier machine at least initially serviced by a Yamaha dealer, and ask them to check the VIN against recalls and confirm everything has been done. Once it’s cleared, it should be trouble-free.

Whether it’s new or used, you don’t have to spend a fortune on an R3. A 2024 model is listed at $8700 on the road, which seems like a sharp deal. Cast around, and it’s likely you’ll find superseded stock or ultra-low-mile demos for a chunk less.

Supply on the used market is plentiful, with prices starting as low as $3000. We’d suggest you need to spend more like $5000 for something that seems low-use and hassle-free.

Checklist

Get a good one with a decent history – or a new one – and you should be in for years of riding fun.

For

Against

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valves-per-cylinder, four-stroke parallel-twin
Capacity: 321cc
Bore x stroke: 60.0 mm x 44.1 mm
Compression ratio: 11.2:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 42.1hp (31kW) at 10,750rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 29.6Nm at 9000rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Steel diamond
Front suspension: 37mm KYB upside-down telescopic fork, 130mm travel
Rear suspension: Preload adjustable monoshock, 45mm travel
Front brakes: 298mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Rear brakes: 220mm disc with single-piston caliper
Tyres: 110/70-17 front, 140/70-17 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 167kg
Seat height: 780mm
Wheelbase: 1380mm
Fuel capacity: 14 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $8699 ride away
Colours: Icon Blue, Intensity White, Midnight Black
Bike supplied by: Yamaha Australia
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres