Yamaha YZF-R3 spied testing in India

It is taking its sweet time to land in our showrooms, but it seems like Yamaha is almost ready to launch the hotly-anticipated YZF-R3 and R25 in the country. Motoroids reader Tushar Mishra sent us these images of the motorcycle being tested with temporary license plates and carrying UP16 registration.

Looking at some of the publicly available import data in recent months, we reckon this is the Yamaha YZF-R3, and not the smaller R25. This is because there have been reports of Yamaha Motor India importing two R3s last January, both in black, like the ones we see in this picture.

By now, you already know all the details about this motorcycle (motorcycles) but here is a quick refresher.

The bigger YZF-R3 is powered by a 320cc inline twin-cylinder DOHC engine, producing a peak power output of 42 PS and a peak torque figure of 29.6 Nm. The engine comes paired with constant mesh, 6-speed transmission. The R3 uses R-series technology which includes a direct-drive camshaft, forged pistons, carburized con rods, low-friction cylinders and much more. Honed at the racetrack with rider inputs from MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, the R3 promises to be the sharpest and most cutting edge motorcycle when it goes on sale here. The interesting part is that its ergonomics aren’t as track-focused as the smaller R15, which should appeal to an even bigger base of casual riders than before. But it might also put off the track-minded fans, who associate the YZF-R badging with serious performance, no matter the engine displacement.

The smaller YZF-R25 is the same as the R3, save for the smaller engine capacity of 249ccs. It produces 36 PS of max power and 22.6 Nm of torque. It also gets a new, high-compression (11.6:1) engine which uses Yamaha’s DiASil (Die casting Aluminum-Silicon) cylinders for better heat dissipation and lighter weight.

Yamaha Motor India has been having a sedate start to this year, having introduced no new models whatsoever. We are still waiting with bated breath for when they release any information about the launch of the R25 or R3 in the country. This is a bit surprising as India is not only Yamaha’s, but all Japanese manufacturers’, biggest markets with it comes to sporty small displacement motorcycles.