“Your entry to the Dark Side” is not a Darth Vader quote. It’s Yamaha’s marketing hook for the approachable MT-03. (Yamaha/)
Ups
Powered by the same sporty engine as the R3Great handling for a budget-friendly bikeRoomy ergos for such a compact bike
Downs
Brakes are uncommunicative when the mood gets aggressiveHeavier clutch pull compared to its competition
Verdict
New riders wanting a taste of Yamaha’s MT range get exactly what they want with the fun and spunky MT-03. The bike’s R3-sourced engine and chassis promise sporty behavior, while MT-inspired ergos provide more comfort for around-town riding.
Overview
There have always been high expectations for Yamaha’s MT-03. Not only was it riding on the success of the MT-07, -09, and -10, but it had to be approachable for the young, so maybe not so reckless. So Yamaha took the sporty engine and chassis from the respected YZF-R3, emphasized comfort with upright ergonomics, left the bike bare bones with sinister styling, and then tested the waters in Europe. Obviously it was successful, as three years later the machine made its way to the US as a 2020 model.
Cycle World tested the MT-03 at the press launch, then got it in-house for dyno testing and a second round of road testing, and concluded that the machine is a great entry point to the renowned MT lineup. The engine is entertaining for all, the handling is pretty impressive, the ergonomics are comfortable for such a compact bike, and the brakes… Well, the brakes could use some refining. Still, the low price point really brings it all together.
The MT-03 is appropriate for riders with limited experience and engaging enough to entertain riders with plenty of miles behind them. And it does it all with MT flair.
The glare and stare from the MT-03’s LED headlight cluster. (Yamaha/)
Updates for 2022
2022 is only the MT-03′s second year of availability in the US market, so no major changes have been made.
Pricing and Variants
The MT-03 is available in three colors: Cyan Storm, Team Yamaha Blue, and Matte Stealth Black. All have the same $4,799 MSRP.
Competition
Today’s lucky new riders get a wide selection of small-displacement naked bikes to choose from. The MT-03 is in the company of the BMW G 310 R, Kawasaki Z400, KTM 390 Duke, Honda CB300R, and Husqvarna Svart/Vitpilen 401.
The 321cc parallel twin recorded 37.1 hp and 20.2 pound-feet of torque on the dyno. (Yamaha/)
Powertrain: Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The MT-03 is powered by a 321cc DOHC parallel twin, the same engine used in the sporty and capable YZF-R3. This powerplant loves to be revved, and riders will find that it’s most entertaining above 6,000 rpm.
If there’s one standout issue with the MT-03, it’s the relatively stiff clutch pull. While it may not go easy on rider forearms, the clutch does have decent feel, and it’s easy to launch the MT-03 from a stoplight. This engine produced 37.07 hp at 10,590 rpm and 20.22 pound-feet of torque at 9,010 rpm on our in-house dyno. It doesn’t have a ton of torque, but its power is engaging for all riders.
The small MT weighs in at a mere 375 pounds when measured on Cycle World’s scales. (Yamaha/)
Handling
Riders of any and all experience levels have to agree that the MT-03 is a light, flickable machine. Cycle World commented that it “tips into the corners quickly and easily without requiring much input from the rider” and later mentioned that its “54.3-inch wheelbase and light 375-pound weight (measured on the CW scales) made maneuvering a breeze, nimbly strutting around like a prize-winning show dog.”
The
—————-
By: Staff
Title: 2022 Yamaha MT-03
Sourced From: www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/buyers-guide/yamaha-mt-03-2022/
Published Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2022 21:43:02 +0000
Kids are impressionable, especially when motorcycles are involved. That magical combination of sound, smell and danger has a way of imprinting itself on young minds. But Kyle Harvey didn’t just dream of bikes as a child—he practically grew up with them.
Kyle’s trade is tool and die making, but his passion is building bikes. His father, Garth Harvey, got Kyle and his brother into bikes at a young age; as soon as they could start their old man’s vintage motorcycles, they were riding them. Living in Edenvale in South Africa’s Gauteng province, the boys also had direct access to the local Classic Motorcycle Club.
The folks at the CMC made quite an impression on young Kyle—and taught him everything he knows about vintage bikes. After helping numerous friends work on their bikes, he went on to open his own shop, named simply ‘The Workshop.’ Kyle has been building and restoring classic motorcycles for over a decade now.
This cheeky bobber is his latest build, and it’s immensely fascinating. The engine’s from a Triumph TR6 Trophy, the frame is from a Matchless, and the quirky handmade details on it are endless.
—————-
By: Ben Pilatti
Title: Here comes trouble: A Triumph TR6 with a Matchless frame
Sourced From: www.bikeexif.com/custom-triumph-tr6-matchless-frame
Published Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2022 17:01:12 +0000
Did you miss our previous article…
https://mansbrand.com/country-cub-a-diy-honda-ct125-kit-from-k-speed/
The V12 engine holds a special place in the heart of many automotive and motorsports fans. For some, it’s the sound of Formula 1 through the years, especially during the 1990s. For others, it’s engines like the 6.1 L BMW S70/2 from the McLaren F1 or the 3.9L Lamborghini V12 that powered all their cars from the Miura through to the Diablo. No matter where it lies in your heart, it is the “proper” configuration for many: 6 cylinders per bank, put into a V, and firing in an odd sequence to give it that special roar under power.
Yet, as concerns over fuel efficiency, qualms about environmental impact, and high-powered turbocharged V8 or V6 engines are the norm now, the V12 is slowly, but surely, being put to rest. In fact, the only place that V12s are still hanging on by the last threads of their engine mounting bolts are in supercars, hypercars, and a few ultra-luxury cars. Even then, many exotic brands have announced that their next cars will either be V10s or turbo V8s and V6s.
Since it appears that the swan song of the V12 is reaching a crescendo, we thought it only appropriate to celebrate the few remaining cars out there that carry them. It may be the last time we see some of these brands, many of which are known for their V12s.
The Amazing Last V12 Production Versions from the Big Brands
Ferrari 812 Superfast
Ferrari 812 Superfast. Image via Supercars.
The writing is on the wall for the prancing horse, as the new Ferrari 296 GTB is showing the direction that Maranello is headed. Yet, unless you were invited to snag one of the limited-edition Monza SP1 or SP2 cars, there is still one car you can buy from the legendary marque that has all 12 cylinders fully intact.
The 6.5L F140 GA V12. Image Via: Wikimedia Commons.
The 6.5L F140 GA 65-degree V12 in the front of the 812 is the last road-going version of the V12 that debuted in the Ferrari Enzo. Producing a monstrous 789 HP and 530 lbs-ft of torque, it is no slouch either, as when the 812 Superfast debuted, it was the most powerful naturally aspirated production car engine ever made.
It has the typical low-rev Ferrari roar that rises into a howl as the car revs up to nearly 9,000 RPM, and will catapult the 3,845 (1,744 kg) car to 60 MPH in 2.9 seconds. As far as a curtain call is concerned, that’s a great way to bow out and focus on hybrids and turbocharged engines.
Mercedes-Maybach S680 4MATIC
cedes-Maybach S680 4MATIC. Image via Supercars.
Mercedes-Benz used to be at the very top of the V12 pecking order when it came to luxury performance cars. Such classics as the S 65 AMG from the mid-2000s and the 500 TE AMG W123 Touring from the very end of the 1970s came with big V12s that sound astounding, but the biggest and baddest of the Mercedes V12s left on in a production car is the M279 E60 LA that hauled the S65 AMGs of 2014.
Read More
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By: Simon Bertram
Title: The Swan Song of the V12
Sourced From: sportscardigest.com/v12-swan-song/
Published Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2022 10:49:26 +0000
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.mansbrand.com/road-tested-gear-from-shoei-akin-moto-and-revit/
In our continuing quest to source motorcycle gear that combines safety and style, we bring you our thoughts on Shoei’s new ECE 22.06-approved NXR2 helmet. Plus a stealthy riding parka from Akin Moto, and the perfect pair of urban riding gloves from Rev’It!.
Shoei NXR2 helmet It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Shoei’s helmets. Every Shoei I’ve owned has fit and felt right from the first wear, with no major deviations in their sizing or shape from model to model. So when I was looking for a do-it-all street helmet to replace my well-used Shoei RYD, the new NXR2 was a no-brainer… and it hasn’t disappointed.
I loved the RYD for its combination of neutral styling, comfort and ventilation. The NXR2 basically feels like a premium version of the RYD; it has the same clean aesthetic, but ramps up the performance. And it’s one of the few helmets that meet with Europe’s new, and more stringent, ECE 22.06 standard.
—————-
By: Wesley Reyneke
Title: Road Tested: Gear from Shoei, Akin Moto and Rev’It!
Sourced From: www.bikeexif.com/shoei-akin-moto-revit-review-44
Published Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2022 17:01:31 +0000
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