FUNSIZE

Earlier in the year, we had the chance to Raz Yamaha's new and updated R3 and R125.Now.they've updated the naked models in the family as well, so we headed over to Spain for quick blast...

- FRODO

YAMAHA MT-03

There’s a lot to be said for entry-level naked. They suit everyone, from the new riders who want to build up their confidence and hone their skills without breaking the bank, to older guys and gals who want to ride something that little bit easier and softer. And nakeds in general? Well, with Yamaha selling over 250,000 MTs since their creation, it’s fair to say that they mean business – why, they’ve even got their own festival now. The problem was, until now the A2 spec MT-03 just didn’t quite have the razzmatazz of its rivals; it wasn’t quite as aggressive, nor edgy as the offering in the orange corner especially (cough, 390 Duke), so they’ve been back to the drawing board.

So what’s new? Well, Yamaha tell us that there’s three main concepts they stuck by. Firstly, and most obviously is the new design. Not only have the aesthetics been seriously overhauled with the addition of LED lights and an LCD dash, but so has the riding position. This brings us to number two, which is rider feeling. Not only does the new 03 look sleeker and more aggressive, but thanks to an MT-10-esque mass-forward type design combined with higher and closer bars, it should feel more antagonistic, and indeed dynamic, as well. Due to the geometry change, Yamaha have altered and sharpened the pogos up a bit, which takes us into the third and final point, of maintaining their current strengths – or so they say. See, they’ve kept a lot of the same components, including the chassis and engine, although the powerplant is still a pretty trick bit of kit for such a small cc machine, boasting forged pistons, 180-degree crankshaft and Offset DiASyl cylinders. Not bad.

Jumping on the 03 for the first time in a wet and chilly Malaga, I couldn’t believe the difference in comparison to the old model.