New Delhi: In the upcoming months, the powerful middleweight supersport, the YZF-R3, will be reintroduced to India by the Japanese automaker Yamaha.
This time, it aims to defeat the Kawasaki Ninja 400, the current champion, on our soil. While the latter is praised by critics as an all-around sub-400cc motorcycle, the former is hailed as one of the most track-focused options.
2015 saw Yamaha release the sporty YZF-R3 on the Indian market. Its capable engine and agile riding characteristics won praise from critics and motorcycle enthusiasts on our soil.
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However, the automaker discontinued the potent middleweight supersport model because of declining sales. Now that the market has significantly changed, the brand plans to reintroduce the model soon.
The Yamaha YZF-R3 features a side-mounted exhaust, an upright windscreen, split-type seats, a clip-on handlebar, a dual LED headlamp, a 14-liter fuel tank and a sleek tail section with an LED taillight. The Kawasaki Ninja 400 has a 14-liter powerful fuel tank, clip-on handlebars, twin LED headlights, an upright windscreen, an upswept exhaust, a slim tail section, and an LED taillamp. There are 17-inch alloy wheels on both bikes.
The dimensions of the Yamaha YZF-R3 are 2,090mm long, 730mm wide, 1,140mm high, and it has a 1,380mm wheelbase. The dimensions of the Kawasaki Ninja 400 are 1,990mm in overall length, 710mm in width, 1,120mm in height, and 1,370mm in wheelbase.
The 321cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, parallel-twin engine that powers the Yamaha YZF-R3 produces a maximum output of 40.4 horsepower and a maximum torque of 29.4 Nm.
The 399cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine that powers the Kawasaki Ninja 400 has a maximum output of 44.3 horsepower and a maximum torque of 37 Nm. Both supersport models feature a 6-speed gearbox with a slipper and assist clutch for transmission duties.
Both the Yamaha YZF-R3 and Kawasaki Ninja 400 have dual-channel ABS for better braking performance, as well as disc brakes on the front and rear wheels for the rider's safety. While the latter has telescoping forks on the front side, the former has inverted forks. Both motorcycles have rear mono-shock units that can be preload adjusted.
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The Kawasaki Ninja 400 is available in India for Rs. 5.14 lakh (ex-showroom), while the Yamaha YZF-R3 was priced at $5,499 (roughly Rs. The latter is anticipated here soon. The YZF-R3 will be a better option of the two if the price is right due to its aggressive looks, larger dimensions, and better suspension setup.