Yamaha YZF-R3 2019: small, sporty enough and a lot of fun! [ROAD TEST]

Yamaha confirms its interest in competitions and beyond. With this new model for 2019, the Iwata company presents the new YZF-R3, which sports a look inspired by the YZR-M1 of the MotoGP World Championship. The new Yamaha YZF-R3 2019 is part of the Yamaha R-Series family and expands the sports range with this new model, preceded by the YZF-R6 and YZF-R1.

This medium capacity super sports bike, both for road and track use, is an aggressive motorbike and attempts to bring young people closer to the world of competitions, directly or indirectly. Yamaha itself, in the last season in the Supersport world championship, was the protagonist with the Spaniards Manuel Gonzales and Daniel Valle, riding the Yamaha 300, obtaining a fabulous victory in the last round in France, thanks to the growth and development of the little R- Series.

A championship, that of the 300, which is increasingly difficult and demanding, considering that many manufacturers are investing time and money in a segment that is rapidly expanding on many markets. Yamaha, which has a wealth of experience in building the most sought-after Supersports, with this new model wants to confirm its vocation for competitions, but not only. Thanks to the ease of riding this front-facing twin-cylinder, Yamaha wants to approach the novice public, who may not yet have experience, but who likes a compact, agile and agile motorbike, excellent for going to school (it can be driven with an A2 license ) or for a ride out of town, where you shift into sixth gear and go smoothly with just a touch of gas. Just looking at it is enough to understand how much the new Yamaha YZF-R3 2019 has changed: completely renewed aesthetics in terms of aerodynamics and with targeted features in the chassis and engine departments. But let's start with the look and finishes of the little Japanese girl.

Design
This little Yamaha YZF-R3 2019 certainly doesn't go unnoticed, with medium-high range finishes that set it apart. New front fairing and YZF-R1 style plexy, as well as the double headlight, with LED position lights. The R3 is very similar in design to the R1. The central air intake, in addition to giving this bike a "racing" look, works in synergy with the fairing to maximize air flow, so as to cool the engine naturally. The finishes are excellent, a quality that Yamaha has been able to get us used to over the years.

The plastics are perfectly matched, the paintwork is of excellent quality and the handlebar controls are intuitive and easy. The design of the 14-litre tank is new, now lowered and equipped with a new redesigned cover. Thanks to this modification, the YZF-R3 ensures a more compact riding position, guaranteeing greater safety when changing direction, as the bike is easier to hold between the knees. The new multifunction LCD instrumentation shows essential information, readable at a single glance and complete with gear indicator, just like on real super sports cars.

cycling
The small one from the house of the three tuning forks, as mentioned, takes inspiration from its older sisters, obviously with smaller dimensions. With a weight of 167 kg, is easy to handle, thanks to the lightweight frame, made of high-strength and rigid steel tubes, a perfect balance between rigidity and weight. This little Yamaha is a bike of substance which, thanks to a short wheelbase, offers extraordinary agility, also guaranteed by an excellent weight distribution of almost 50/50, perfect balance and a seat height of just 780 mm, ideal even for newbies. The double soul of this R3 then emerges clearly when it comes to suspension, in fact the new Yamaha YZF-R3 2019 is equipped with a preload-adjustable KYB shock absorber which contributes to the centralization of the masses.

At the front we find a brand new 37 mm KYB upside-down fork, which significantly improves the rigidity of the front end, guaranteeing first-class sensitivity and reactivity. The braking system is made up of a 298 mm floating disc with two pistons at the front, while at the rear we find a 220 mm disc (also floating). Obviously the ABS system could not be missing, which guarantees the pilot greater safety in the event of reduced grip or slippery surfaces. The handlebar has been lowered by 22 mm, allowing for a more forceful ride forward and designed for greater control of the front. The sporty die-cast aluminum wheels complete the look of the small R3. At the front we find a 110/70-17 tire while at the rear a 140/70 also 17" is mounted.

Motor
The now proven 321 cc 4-stroke twin-cylinder, which delivers 42 CV at 10.750 rpm, it is combined with a 6-speed gearbox. The motorbike, as mentioned, can also be driven with an A2 licence. This YZF-R3, thanks to Yamaha technology, offers smooth delivery and always manageable power. Among the features of the engine we find the forged aluminum pistons which are coupled to the DiASil aluminum offset cylinders, capable of guaranteeing a much more favorable heat exchange. The 3 Yamaha YZF-R2019 wants to be a sports bike, whoever buys it knows this well, but even beginners or a female audience can take away some satisfaction, because let's remember well that the last 300 world championship was won right from the Spanish Ana Carrasco!

Precisely the nature of the engine, in our opinion, is the secret of this twin-cylinder, as it demonstrates excellent dynamic qualities, with the right power and very smooth. The clutch is soft and well progressive. As always, there is no shortage of original accessories from Yamaha. Thanks to trusted suppliers, Yamaha has decided to enhance performance and functionality with its own style. For example, we mention titanium exhausts, slip-on mufflers, bilet covers and much more. The price of this little one from Iwata? From this month of January it is available at 5.790 € fc, in the Yamaha Blue and Potenza Black colours.

Our test
The "Valencian" weather for our test riding the new 3 Yamaha YZF-R2019 was fortunately favorable. We get closer to the little girl from Yamaha and find a strong resemblance to the Yamaha R6. Sitting on the small super sports car we immediately feel great comfort since, thanks to its height from the ground, you can maneuver easily with your feet resting well on the ground. The saddle-footpeg-handlebar triangulation is perfect and the saddle is comfortable and welcoming. Like many of Yamaha's bikes, the feeling is that you have always ridden it and the YZF-R3 seems to easily satisfy the rider's every wish.

We turn the key, noticing that the digital instrumentation reflects what we expected, with the information necessary to have everything under control. The route begins on some city streets that lead towards a hilly context, made up of narrow hairpin bends and breathtaking curves. The right ingredients to put our Yamaha to the test. When changing direction it is very agile and, thanks to the excellent driving position, it allows us to move the body from one side to the other with great ease, without ever getting tired with our arms. Even when you force the pace a little, the YZF-R3 behaves creditably and shows honest stability along fast corners. The ease of driving and the low weight (remember that it is 169 kg in running order) allow you to remedy any errors in setting the trajectory, simply by moving your body or just touching the brakes. Speaking of brakes, during our test we had an initial sensation of not very effective braking, due to the few kilometers traveled by the bike up to that point, but after having covered a bit of road, it was more effective. Good aerodynamic protection and stability on fast speeds. Vibrations are almost absent.

The YZF-R3 is equipped with ABS, of course, which has proven to have a good intervention threshold without being invasive. The chassis and suspension test was passed with good marks. The R3 is agile and in tight "second gear" maneuvers the engine response is progressive and decisive. The engine is ready, brilliant and stretches just right, overall we liked the bike because it is not demanding and also offers decent engine braking. The gear changes are beautiful, you can hardly feel the gear engagement no matter how soft it is. The super sports car surprised us, but the time has come to take it to the track.

To test the true qualities of this bike, Yamaha chose the Circuit de la Ribera, made up of short radius curves and maximum 2nd or 3rd gear. Perfect for evaluating the engine and chassis. Here too, the latest arrival from Yamaha confirmed what we perceived during our road trip. The bike is fast when cornering and is able to close the line when needed. It is stable when exiting corners, especially when adopting a racing riding position. The fork never goes into crisis and instills confidence even in quick changes of direction. The handling is excellent, even at high speeds, where the little R3 is a blade, precise and reassuring. The engine guarantees brilliant acceleration and a decent amount of acceleration, thanks also to correct gear ratios, which are fast and precise. As we had already mentioned, the front brake requires significant pressure on the lever, but on the other hand the ABS is calibrated for sporting use, as it is never invasive even during violent braking.

Once back in the pits our test continues with a great surprise, the test of the more racing version, a ready track that acts as a base for those who want to participate in the championship (including the World Championship), SSP300. Here many people are licking their chops, including us. We're talking about Yamaha R3 GYTR which will race this year in the World SSP300 Championship. The small Supersport is equipped with Ohlins suspension, Akrapovic exhaust and lots of top-of-the-class components, signed by GYTR (Genuine Yamaha Technology Racing).

Once the tyrewarmers have been removed, we find the Pirelli tyres. The time has come to get on track. We immediately perceive that this engine changes character, is immediately ready and has a direct throttle response. The engine revs up quickly and the gears work well up to sixth. When exiting corners it proves effective and at the same time has more full-bodied delivery.

The sound of the exhaust is superb, full and crackles when releasing the gas. The chassis is quick to engage and very light and effective when changing direction, where the front end, thanks to the excellent Ohlins suspension, conveys the right amount of confidence. This bike is extremely good at riding between the curbs, and manages to guarantee us a better feeling and greater confidence, even though we have only one session at our disposal with this World Championship 300 in which to seek its limit. Speaking of Yamaha Racing, the division dedicated to the Three Diapason competitions, has created a great "toy" for those who want to approach the world of two wheels, fully in the bLU cRU soul (the name chosen for their Racing crew).

It was created precisely for promising young people who want to approach two wheels for the first time. The bLU cRU philosophy values, in particular, the new generations of young drivers, creating a safe and encouraging environment around them that allows them to best develop their talent.

Tester clothing:
Helmet: Vemar Hurricane Laser blue/fluo yellow
Gloves: Dainese Full Metal 6
Boots: Dainese R Axial Pro In
Suit: Dainese Kyalami
Undersuit: SIXS Carbon Underwear Integral

Jacket, trousers and gloves used in the road test are always Dainese