Bike features
Here are the main advantages of the motorcycle:
- brutal exterior;
- cheapness;
- reliability ensured by simplicity of design.
If you want to buy an inexpensive and reliable bike, you should pay attention to this model. However, it should be noted that, despite the formal two-seater capacity, the car is completely unsuitable for driving with a passenger. Not only will it be simply cramped, but the motorcycle will become significantly worse to handle.
Engine
The motor was borrowed from the Yamaha XT660Z Tenere. This engine has only one cylinder, but its volume is 660 cm³. Torque of 58 Nm and power of 48 hp. - quite decent characteristics for such a machine, and in principle a city bike does not need anything more. The maximum speed of the MT-03 is 160 km/h, and it accelerates to hundreds of kilometers in about 4 seconds. The acceleration dynamics are, in principle, very pleasing, but require caution.
Yamaha MT-03 (660) motorcycle review
Handling is excellent thanks to the short wheelbase and axle load distribution. On my first trip (when I didn’t have a license yet), I arrived at the traffic police station at night, having previously agreed with the guard, and about the third or fourth time I went through all the exercises necessary to pass. Turns very predictably. As for handling at low speed, you can drive 5-6 km/h while sitting and without taking your feet off the pegs. It feels great in city traffic. The clearance allows you to jump (carefully, of course) onto the curb, or drive on dry off-road conditions. There are practically no settings for the suspensions, only pre-compression of the rear spring, which is set once in accordance with the weight of the rider. The fork is identical to that on the fz6, the rear suspension consists of a massive cast swingarm and an original shock absorber located on the side. As for hardness and softness, it shakes on uneven surfaces, it’s better to stand up on potholes.
Motor and gearbox.
The MT03 engine is quite common, it is still installed (with different gears) on all 660 cc Yamaha models, including the Grizzly. This unit was also used on an Aprilia pegaso. It has established itself as a very reliable medium-speed engine. The smooth torque curve allows you to drive without even thinking about what the current speed is. As for the gearbox, it is a 5-speed, shifts clearly and effortlessly. Water cooling, dry sump lubrication. 4 liters of oil are poured into the oil tank. The oil tank is located in a rather peculiar way, in front of the engine and looks like a crankcase protection, for this reason there is a rumor that it is easy to damage. But I think that if you use the motorcycle for its intended purpose, such a problem will not arise.
A separate comment about vibrations - yes, they really exist. The 660cc 1-cylinder engine cannot help but vibrate. Around 5000 +- 100 rpm it tickles your palms))) This is a feature. To be honest, I personally like “live” engines.
I heard a review that the engine is “dead” and “doesn’t run.” And also that any 600 cc in-line engine goes faster. Of course, this is a comparison between round and soft, since this model is absolutely not for those who need maximum speed. 120-150 on the highway is quite comfortable to drive.
Service
Fuel consumption is approximately 6 liters with a 15 liter gas tank. Is it a lot or a little - judge for yourself. There were no serious breakdowns during operation. The only trouble was that the clutch cable broke at the bend in the lever. Apparently, the load was previously placed in this place during a fall (based on the state of the lever). The cable was repaired, and just in case I bought an original one as a spare.
Nothing else broke.
One winter, leaving the garage, I accidentally turned the ignition to the parking lights mode (apparently that’s what they call it?) As a result, the battery died. And here, pay attention: to get to the battery you need to remove the gas tank!)) But you won’t go to great lengths for the sake of design...
Design
The appearance of the motorcycle was developed in Spain, the motorcycle itself was produced in Italy. Of course, it is designed for the European market. The design of the MT-03 cannot be confused with anything else. This is a youth motorcycle, a “fan bike”. It is bright and beautiful. He invariably evokes interested glances from others and leaves no one indifferent.
Bottom line
When choosing this motorcycle, you need to be very clear about why you need it. The fact is that, for all its versatility, it has a number of serious limitations in terms of use. It's not suitable for track racing, it's not suitable for 1000 kilometer trips, it's not suitable for enduring through the woods to go fishing, but it's absolutely perfect for city streets.
Some people think its cost is too high, because most of the components used are not expensive. Again, this is an image motorcycle for the city, and not a high-tech racing machine.
I chose the MT03 as my first bike. And I wasn’t wrong at all. During the time I used it, it never let me down. If we rewind time, I would take him first again. I think that says it all.
I rode this motorcycle last season, about 7 thousand km in total. What can I say - I really liked it! Pros:
1. Excellent, almost bicycle-like handling, it is almost impossible to be constrained by the row spacing, no matter what it is, and if the row becomes unrealistically narrow, then moving to the next one is not a problem due to its structurally small turning radius, and if this is not enough, then any curb or the step is not an obstacle for him.
2. Cool look.
3. Excellent traction at the bottom - what is necessary in the city, it will simply try to throw you off.
4. Feels good up to 140 km/h, then everyone feels bad - it’s not necessary! I accelerated to 170 (I confess).
5. Good exhaust sound, especially the explosive pops in the muffler.
Minuses:
1. I still don’t understand how to control the oil level in the tank, it is always different and what it depends on.
2. In my opinion, there is a problem with the gearbox ratios. It is very difficult to choose the optimal gear (2 or 3). Several times it shamefully stalled while driving.
3. You can easily roast the thighs of the second number because he has to sit directly on the mufflers.
I'm not going to sell.
4. The dimensions of the mirrors coincide with the location of the mirrors on Gazelles - he got up and apologized (to himself, of course).
I went for 2 seasons. The device is good, especially for beginners, the suspension is great, the handling is super, the brakes are excellent, it looks original, it could use some more power. It's not worth going long distance. It's very nice to be around the city. However, the steering wheel is too wide and gets in the way in traffic jams; I want to change it.
I rode it for a little over 2 seasons, although during that time I drove about 8,000 km. Because at first there was not much experience. And from the bottom he rode quite cheerfully. Therefore, so far I’ve learned... I fell a couple of times... well, it doesn’t matter.
MT-03. The appearance makes me very happy, the exhaust sound is incomparable (especially when you let off the gas - it shot very well)
With my height of 180 cm, it is quite comfortable, the seat is wide. The second number (in the person of his wife) did not feel any dissatisfaction; in the autumn and spring she was pleased with the heating of the fifth point, but in the summer it actually irritated her wildly. Rushing from the bottom - it’s convenient to crawl in second gear at idle in a traffic jam.
What was annoying?
1. if you ride more than 100 km a day without getting off, you feel these terrible (by that time) vibrations from the engine. So I decided not to drive it long distance. And at speeds over 130, there is a lack of wind protection.
2. the steering wheel is too wide for traffic jams - drivers often apologized for adjusting the mirrors
As for the maximum speed, I didn’t go more than 160 because it wasn’t comfortable at all. I sold it because the baby stroller fit into the Mazda with great difficulty, and I urgently needed a bigger car. I regret that I sold it. Mot made me very happy. It was cool to drive at the back of the traffic light... I'm saving up money for the same one, or if I hit the jackpot in the casino, then a hypermotard ducat.
Dimensions and weight
The weight of this small naked bike reaches 175 kg, not including fuel. The tank volume is 15 liters, which is not so much with an average consumption of 6 liters of gasoline per hundred kilometers. The seat height is 805mm, which makes the MT-03 unsuitable for many short people. However, tall motorcyclists may find this model somewhat cramped, because the seating position is very collected.
Brief history of the model
006 - official start of production and sales of the Yamaha MT-03 model. Model: Yamaha MT-03 (Europe). Factory designation: 5YK1, 5YK3.
2007 - no significant changes. Model: Yamaha MT-03 (Europe). Factory designation: 5YK2, 5YK4.
2008 - no significant changes. Model: Yamaha MT-03 (Europe). Factory designation: 5YK5, 5YK6.
2009 - no significant changes. Model: Yamaha MT-03 (Europe). Factory designation: 5YK7.
2010 - model not produced. 2011 - no significant changes. Model: Yamaha MT-03 (Europe). Factory designation: 5YK9.
2012 is the last year of production. Model: Yamaha MT-03 (Europe). Factory designation: 2BF1.
Chassis and brakes
The front brakes here are borrowed from the FZ6, which is significantly superior to the MT-03 in terms of power and weight. The bike has three brake discs in total, which do their job perfectly. The only risk with local braking is over-braking. But here you just need skill and caution, and for brakes this is probably not a disadvantage.
Some may be confused by the monoshock absorber sticking out from the side, which is attached to the rear pendulum suspension. However, both suspensions in the MT-03 work great. Handling is very sharp thanks to the very short wheelbase of 1420 mm.
