I bought one and it's a great bike. It has good torque from a small engine, and pulls really nicely from 40kph in 5th gear. The power reminds me of my CX500 of years gone by. It is cheaper where I bought it [Thailand], and cost around 3,500 pounds. I recommend the MT-03.
One thing I will add after buying one to start on the LAMS scheme in NZ is that the bike grows with your confidence. After you get through the wear in on the engine and your confidence rises, your ability to wring performance out of the higher end does improve and it doesn't feel as gutless as I initially thought (I was actually scared of the noise at first so I tried my best to keep revs low - how silly I was when I was new). It has no issues getting onto the highway and maintaining 100km/h but it does struggle on the overtake and wind does have its way with you since you're so light. That said, if you buckle down and move with the pack you can move with traffic at normal speed and get ahead when it slows down. It is soft on the corners but on some of our rural roads I wouldn't have it any other way. That said, the 390 duke is a whole 3k cheaper when new down here, but it is a good all rounder that is a fun choice for back roads and exploring the less traveled parts of NZ on a grad's salary. I intend to keep it as my daily commuter until it dies since it is so cheap to run and quite low maintenance compared to the Euro-Indian offerings available at this time.
Nice bike and probably as much as most people need.I've had much bigger bikes for years but with the traffic levels these days,the costs of running even a 600 runabout being almost as much as a small car a 300 makes a lot of sense and this one fits the bill.
Now thats what i call a review... not like the others i've watched. They're talking like 3 hours but didn't say a word if you know what im sayin' Good work man ;-)
This is really useful review, with nice production, thank you. I just have one bugbear - it would be great to be able to hear what the bike sounds like. I think the music bed should be altered to allow that.
Good review. I had similar thoughts but when you look at the price its easy to look past its few faults. £4499 seems like excellent value. As they say, it would be an excellent commuter or upgrade from a 125cc as long as you aren't planning on doing any longer stretches on the motorway/dual carriageways where it may be hard work
I still can't understand the lack of popularity of the original mt03 (660 single). I had one for 4 years as my second bike and kept leaping on it rather than the FZ1n I also had. It was just so much fun and looked superb imo. Light and with that legendary Yam single power plant it was always enough to enjoy the flick ability of the bike to the full. And with the Akra pipes, the popping, grunting and growling was addictive I finally sold mine last year as a part ex and regretted it almost immediately. I don't really see any way that this current mt03 is better than the original. And it looks so generic in amongst all the other new bikes on offer; the old one looked so unique when parked in the midst of other machines. Ok...nostalgic praise-fest done :)
I have a 2015 R3 and can't wait to get the MT03 when it comes to America. I love naked upright bikes. I own a 2014 Honda Grom 125 too. Used to own a 2009 Ducati Hypermotard 1100. Nakes bikes are so much easier to maintain and upright bikes are more comfortable and easier to flick around in the canyons.
The R3 is the best first bike because you'll learn how to rev match (no slipper clutch), learn how to brake properly (no ABS), forgiving throttle response and comfortable ergonomics. I've taken my R3 to 115mph and 0 to 60mph in 5.5 second. So it's good enough. The Grom is a 125cc toy for around town. It's not even legal on highways and fwys but it can get to 72mph stock. Just has no power for uphills.
You're welcome. I used to own a 2009 GSXR600 that had 3 different power modes. A mode for full power, B mode for 60% power, C mode for 40% (or less bc it felt weaker than a ninja 250). The throttle response are different in each. The 09 GSXR600 is a very easy bike to ride. It's comfortable. Weak bottom end. The power gets crazy only above 10k rpm. I also had a 2011 GSXR600 that had better bottom end but lacked top end so it was easy to ride when at high RPMS and mid range was really good. The 2011 GSXR600 only has A and B mode but the good thing is that it's lighter than the 09. Don't get an 06/07 GSXR600. It's a crap bike. But the easiest 600 to ride that I've ever rode is the 2008 to 2012 CBR600RR. That bike was so easy to ride. Mainly bc the power band is linear so it won't surprise you at any RPM. The riding position is upright and very similar to the R3.
On roads where I live, I always have to hold off the acceleration. I could thrash a 125cc with 10hp. Even at times a 180 with 15. But the mt-03.... peeew daamn. 40hp, lol, it's mad :).
Only in Brazil it comes directly from Yamaha with the wrong drive chain ( wrong chain which does not allow tension adjustments)... and they are selling it for full 3 years now and did nothing to correct the problem, even though there are a lot of complaints...
I've been riding for 26 years on a full licence, this is my first "Brand new" bike. I used to ride 80's and 90's 500/600cc stuff, and with modern tech and engineering this is easily comparable to those. the Short a*@e that I am means this is perfect for me. Only downside I dislike is that it nods a bucks in traffic, so the bars are a little too wide and first gear is too steep.
I've not long bought an MT03 2008 I have ridden some very powerful bikes including fireblades and and have ridden for over 20 years I currently own a Harley Davidson VRSCR, I was looking for something to commute to work and back on, and the MT03 came up, overall I like it Good- Fun to ride, nice to look at, easy to ride Bad- bit of a surge when powering on, Cheesy build quality.
Okay im confused are you saying this is an expensive bike or its good for its price range? Because this puts out more hp and tq and weights about as much as a stock DRZ-400sm and the msrp for that bike is over 7k where i live and where i live this bike would be just under 6k at 5800 ish and i think that's an amazing price for what you get
Anyone that would buy a 47 HP 650cc bike has a problem upstairs, if I'm not allowed the full version of the big bike then why waste the money? Just get a 300 and I'm sure it's plenty of fun with all the mods.
Quick question about the A2 restriction rules. As for the EU regulations, it days that bikes cannot be restricted to more than half of their initial power (basically making it illegal to restrict >96HP for the A2 license, as was legal before). But e.g. the mt07 is still legal to ride restricted with its 70ish HP. What power it comes from when leaving the factory should not matter, am I wrong?
+Kelly Hipp I actually quite like the idea of softer suspension, certainly welcome on the bumpy roads where I live, and I think the suspension setup suits the MT-03s intended market.
Put a turbo on it, and it's going to produce enough :))..... Still don't know why some people think 42 hp on a bike is too little :)).... It's like we have perfect roads, perfect maners, and force fields :))..... Not yet
Most modern bikes look like crap. Have no styling, look like they are made for crack heads ... This bike however looks pretty good, nice lines ... upgraded this bike looks awesome, especially with dual underseat exuahsts on the older model. Looks like a scrambler
this man is the best at reviews. tells the truth and gets straight to the point
I bought one and it's a great bike. It has good torque from a small engine, and pulls really nicely from 40kph in 5th gear. The power reminds me of my CX500 of years gone by. It is cheaper where I bought it [Thailand], and cost around 3,500 pounds. I recommend the MT-03.
One thing I will add after buying one to start on the LAMS scheme in NZ is that the bike grows with your confidence. After you get through the wear in on the engine and your confidence rises, your ability to wring performance out of the higher end does improve and it doesn't feel as gutless as I initially thought (I was actually scared of the noise at first so I tried my best to keep revs low - how silly I was when I was new). It has no issues getting onto the highway and maintaining 100km/h but it does struggle on the overtake and wind does have its way with you since you're so light. That said, if you buckle down and move with the pack you can move with traffic at normal speed and get ahead when it slows down. It is soft on the corners but on some of our rural roads I wouldn't have it any other way. That said, the 390 duke is a whole 3k cheaper when new down here, but it is a good all rounder that is a fun choice for back roads and exploring the less traveled parts of NZ on a grad's salary. I intend to keep it as my daily commuter until it dies since it is so cheap to run and quite low maintenance compared to the Euro-Indian offerings available at this time.
Typical good review from this guy: direct, plenty of relevant info, with a good impression of the way the bike rides.
Nice bike and probably as much as most people need.I've had much bigger bikes for years but with the traffic levels these days,the costs of running even a 600 runabout being almost as much as a small car a 300 makes a lot of sense and this one fits the bill.
XSR300 would be great!
I think a XSR300 would look amazing but would probably to heavy.
(Yes i know your comment is already 4 years old..)
This guy is a really good reviewer. Why the distracting music?
Your style of review is good , but can you tell us why the irritating non stop background jingle ? !
Thanks for the heads up, GR8!
Now thats what i call a review... not like the others i've watched. They're talking like 3 hours but didn't say a word if you know what im sayin' Good work man ;-)
Awesome review. No-fuckin'-around attitude. Love it.
This is really useful review, with nice production, thank you. I just have one bugbear - it would be great to be able to hear what the bike sounds like. I think the music bed should be altered to allow that.
Good review. I had similar thoughts but when you look at the price its easy to look past its few faults. £4499 seems like excellent value. As they say, it would be an excellent commuter or upgrade from a 125cc as long as you aren't planning on doing any longer stretches on the motorway/dual carriageways where it may be hard work
I still can't understand the lack of popularity of the original mt03 (660 single). I had one for 4 years as my second bike and kept leaping on it rather than the FZ1n I also had. It was just so much fun and looked superb imo. Light and with that legendary Yam single power plant it was always enough to enjoy the flick ability of the bike to the full. And with the Akra pipes, the popping, grunting and growling was addictive
I finally sold mine last year as a part ex and regretted it almost immediately. I don't really see any way that this current mt03 is better than the original. And it looks so generic in amongst all the other new bikes on offer; the old one looked so unique when parked in the midst of other machines. Ok...nostalgic praise-fest done :)
U should've kept it
Mt 03 or z300 which better?
I have a 2015 R3 and can't wait to get the MT03 when it comes to America. I love naked upright bikes. I own a 2014 Honda Grom 125 too. Used to own a 2009 Ducati Hypermotard 1100. Nakes bikes are so much easier to maintain and upright bikes are more comfortable and easier to flick around in the canyons.
Do you recommend a 300 sport bike like the r3 or a grom as a first bike?
The R3 is the best first bike because you'll learn how to rev match (no slipper clutch), learn how to brake properly (no ABS), forgiving throttle response and comfortable ergonomics. I've taken my R3 to 115mph and 0 to 60mph in 5.5 second. So it's good enough. The Grom is a 125cc toy for around town. It's not even legal on highways and fwys but it can get to 72mph stock. Just has no power for uphills.
+77BeatsPerMinute thank you so much! This helped a lot, i just need to finish saving up for my gear and I can get one!
+77BeatsPerMinute and would you say it's a better bike then the ninja? I know for sure it looks bettee
You're welcome. I used to own a 2009 GSXR600 that had 3 different power modes. A mode for full power, B mode for 60% power, C mode for 40% (or less bc it felt weaker than a ninja 250). The throttle response are different in each. The 09 GSXR600 is a very easy bike to ride. It's comfortable. Weak bottom end. The power gets crazy only above 10k rpm. I also had a 2011 GSXR600 that had better bottom end but lacked top end so it was easy to ride when at high RPMS and mid range was really good. The 2011 GSXR600 only has A and B mode but the good thing is that it's lighter than the 09. Don't get an 06/07 GSXR600. It's a crap bike.
But the easiest 600 to ride that I've ever rode is the 2008 to 2012 CBR600RR. That bike was so easy to ride. Mainly bc the power band is linear so it won't surprise you at any RPM. The riding position is upright and very similar to the R3.
On roads where I live, I always have to hold off the acceleration. I could thrash a 125cc with 10hp. Even at times a 180 with 15. But the mt-03.... peeew daamn. 40hp, lol, it's mad :).
Only in Brazil it comes directly from Yamaha with the wrong drive chain ( wrong chain which does not allow tension adjustments)... and they are selling it for full 3 years now and did nothing to correct the problem, even though there are a lot of complaints...
Got the option to get the 2013 Mt03 with 1000km on it hardly used and pretty new, or the current mt03 demo for the same price. Not sure which to get.
I've been riding for 26 years on a full licence, this is my first "Brand new" bike. I used to ride 80's and 90's 500/600cc stuff, and with modern tech and engineering this is easily comparable to those. the Short a*@e that I am means this is perfect for me. Only downside I dislike is that it nods a bucks in traffic, so the bars are a little too wide and first gear is too steep.
very crisp review
I've not long bought an MT03 2008 I have ridden some very powerful bikes including fireblades and and have ridden for over 20 years I currently own a Harley Davidson VRSCR, I was looking for something to commute to work and back on, and the MT03 came up, overall I like it
Good- Fun to ride, nice to look at, easy to ride
Bad- bit of a surge when powering on, Cheesy build quality.
is there any bike that makes more than 20bhp at less than 5000 rpm ? just like giving feel of a car. calm and fast.
Okay im confused are you saying this is an expensive bike or its good for its price range? Because this puts out more hp and tq and weights about as much as a stock DRZ-400sm and the msrp for that bike is over 7k where i live and where i live this bike would be just under 6k at 5800 ish and i think that's an amazing price for what you get
It's excellent value for what you get.
Anyone that would buy a 47 HP 650cc bike has a problem upstairs, if I'm not allowed the full version of the big bike then why waste the money? Just get a 300 and I'm sure it's plenty of fun with all the mods.
what do you mean the full version? and what if you just wanna ride a bike and you know nothing about bikes and engines and stuff?
this or 2016 cb500?
Great review. Thank you. Subscribed.
How tall are you?
Quick question about the A2 restriction rules. As for the EU regulations, it days that bikes cannot be restricted to more than half of their initial power (basically making it illegal to restrict >96HP for the A2 license, as was legal before). But e.g. the mt07 is still legal to ride restricted with its 70ish HP. What power it comes from when leaving the factory should not matter, am I wrong?
I have just bought bought this bike a 2018 model with 2075 miles on the clock same colour . As I am a bloke of 67 years old don't want anything to big
He's good...like his reviews.
mt-03 or BMW G310 R?
Wait it gets crappy suspension but it has abs with sub par brakes .... Something went wrong at Yamaha
+Kelly Hipp I actually quite like the idea of softer suspension, certainly welcome on the bumpy roads where I live, and I think the suspension setup suits the MT-03s intended market.
abs?
+balsara 675 ABS is standard, as it's mandatory in most developed contries. Guess it's sold without ABS in the US then?
In india
+Anders Eriksson so brutal haha 😂👍🏻
+Anders Eriksson no abs in Japan either
Put a turbo on it, and it's going to produce enough :)).....
Still don't know why some people think 42 hp on a bike is too little :)).... It's like we have perfect roads, perfect maners, and force fields :))..... Not yet
Such a light bike, very hard to drop.
I need additional modifications to be done in my MT 03:
_ARROW SLIP ON EXHAUST
_12V USB charger
_Puig windscreen
_raise handle bar
was the mt 03 your first bike?
can't focus on your review... your talking and the video have nothing to do with each other
You sound like Jamie Oliver 😂
Ugliest bike in entire MT series by Yamaha....
by any angle KTM looks better
this looks disproportionately made ...large tank and shrouds....weird headlight and skinny forks
it's a matter of taste, so fuck u.
Most modern bikes look like crap. Have no styling, look like they are made for crack heads ...
This bike however looks pretty good, nice lines ... upgraded this bike looks awesome, especially with dual underseat exuahsts on the older model. Looks like a scrambler
Says the Indian guy riding a KTM. Job security I guess.