Yamaha YZF-R3 Will Not Witness Heavy Localisation In India

Yamaha Motors India launched its YZF-R3 sportsbike in the country during 2015. The YZF-R3 motorcycle is priced Rs. 3.26 lakh ex-showroom (Delhi), which is slightly on the premium side. Now reports suggest that Yamaha does not plan on reducing the cost of its motorcycle in India.

The Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer has made it clear that it has no plans of localising its YZF-R3 in the near future. Demand for the sportsbike is already on a decline and seems like it could further worsen. So far, Yamaha has managed to sell approximately 600 units within a span of five to six months.

YZF-R3 competes head on with Kawasaki's Ninja 300 model in India. Both models are not targeted at the mass market and do not aim at extraordinary sales figures. Kawasaki and Yamaha both do not offer ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) even as an option on the Ninja 300 and YZF-R3 in India.

ABS is mostly likely to be included as an option on the YZF-R3 motorcycle by 2016-end. Yamaha Motors India is confident that the YZF-R3 sales will pick up soon. The YZF-R3 has entered an all-new segment and it will take a while for enthusiasts to realise the potential of the model.

Powering the YZF-R3 is a 321cc, inline two-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. Yamaha engineers have tuned the engine to produce 41.43bhp along with 29.6Nm of peak torque and is mated to a six-speed gearbox. Only two colour options are on offer called Racing Blue and Black Lightning.