It's much more fun to ride a slow bike faster than a fast bike that's slower...
I have heard this phrase more than once, usually chanted by veteran bikers to their less experienced comrades. And there really is a lot of truth in it. I realized this after my first ride on the Yamaha YZF R3.
Sportbike Yamaha YZF R3
During my test drive, I rode this bike through mountain roads and into high-speed corners on a race track. As I decided to accelerate the bike, the R3 began to let out a full of power scream and, sneaking a glance at the speedometer, I realized that, without noticing it, I had already accelerated to 145 km/h. Sure, it's no R1, but you can still have a lot of fun with the 320cc R3, and at such a low price.
The main strategy for the entry-level sportbike class is to create a budget-friendly and friendly motorcycle that will interest young, impressionable riders. The Tuning Fork brand seemed set to lose this segment to Kawasaki, which reigned in this niche for decades with virtually no competition with its Ninja 250 until Honda introduced the motorcycle world with its CBR250R in 2011. Yamaha's absence from this segment has been most noticeable in recent years, as the entry-level sportbike market has seen 300 versions of the Ninja and CBR enter the market, as well as KTM's RC390. It is strange that Yamaha, having also released its 250 cc model R25, introduced it only to the Asian market. It's worth noting that the sub-500cc segment of the market has doubled since Honda began its battle with Kawasaki, meaning it will continue to grow in the future. I guess Yamaha couldn't afford to ignore this niche. Thus the new Yamaha YZF-R3 was released.
Specifications
The Yamaha YZF R3 has excellent performance for such a small bike. This is ensured by its advanced filling, designed to satisfy the wishes of an inexperienced motorcyclist. Of course, a motorcycle cannot give the same feelings as some “liter” representative of the sports class, or even a “liter” naked bike, but for a model of such small dimensions the dynamics are simply excellent.
Engine
The engine here fits perfectly with the size and weight of the bike. This two-cylinder in-line unit produces 42 hp. power and 30 Nm of torque. This allows it to reach a speed of 187 km/h, which is enough for a training, albeit sports, bike. Accelerating to hundreds of kilometers will take a decent time of 6.5 seconds, which in the context of its intended purpose is not a minus.
Dimensions and weight
Together with a fully filled 13-liter gas tank, the YZF R3 weighs only 169 kg, which is not surprising given its small capacity. If the bike had an aluminum frame, it probably would have weighed even less, but for some reason the designers found steel a more viable option.
The dimensions of the YZF R3 are small. The wheelbase here is only 1380 mm, the seat height is 780 mm, and the length is 2090 mm. All this makes the bike quite an interesting option for riders of average height. At the same time, for taller people such a car can be very, very inconvenient.
After spending a whole day on the Yamaha R3
In terms of ergonomics, I was very impressed with the seating comfort. After spending a full day on the Yamaha R3, I have no complaints. Thanks to the location of the steering wheel, which is represented by clip-ons, the driver sits on the bike as if reclining, which, of course, I liked. However, with my height of 185 cm, the position of the footrests caused me some discomfort. Because of their placement and the seat height of 77.98 cm, my legs were too bent and pinched, and it was not comfortable for me to press the gear lever with my foot. Of course, this is not a terrible drawback, thanks to which one can abandon the idea of buying this motorcycle, but after a whole day of riding the R3, my legs were still tired. Probably, drivers shorter than me will like the bike's driver's triangle better.
The build and finishing quality of this Yamaha motorcycle is comparable to its competitors. The R3 features an analog tachometer and shift indicator, both of which can be programmed by the driver. On the right is a clearly readable LCD speedometer. The console displays all the important information and is equipped with such necessary instruments as the already mentioned gear indicator and a fuel gauge that shows the fuel level in the 14-liter fuel tank.
Chassis and brakes
The disc brakes here are sufficient: the disc diameter is 220 mm at the rear and 298 mm at the front. The front telescopic fork has 130mm of travel, while the monoshock swingarm has 5mm less travel. In general, the exterior looks quite elegant, but does not shine with special luxury or individuality.
In the previous episode: “I bought a YAMAHA R3 (2020) pepelats and concocted a short review about it.” Tuning from ALIKA was ordered and is being delivered in parts, but I’m interested in riding the new motorcycle on the track. “announcement in the form of a photo”
What was done: 1) I washed the motorcycle and the rear sprocket from chain lubrication (the layer of lubricant on the sprocket and rim was about 1-2mm thick); 2) Changed the oil to Motul 7100; 3) I installed a doublebubble windshield (that’s what it’s called... in short, I installed it high);
4) Installed short levers (I was tired of adjusting the clutch with new levers, it took a long time to adjust the actuation effect as on a standard lever);
5) I pasted anti-slip stickers on the tank (a couple of stickers on the side plastic are still missing, since in order to stay on these stickers you have to raise your knees high)
6) I put crap in the rear pendulum for rolling;
7) Well, fan tuning, a keychain named after Marquez (+50 to lowside protection).
There are also packages: 1) Rear brake light with built-in turn signals; 2) Short tail with number; 3) Engine protective covers; The plans include: 1) Track plastic; 2) Reinforced hoses and good pads; 3) Sports footrests and clip-ons; 4) Change the oil in the fork, or better yet install emulators or cartridges.
Once all the items on the TO DONE list were installed, I began planning my trip to the track.
The trip to Myachkovo was disrupted either by work or by the weather (it rained all week). And so everything was covered until August 12 (when training in Myachik was canceled due to the weather), and on August 14 my family and I leave for Sochi. To say that I was upset is to say nothing. My wife is already freaking out about how the trek is planned, so we have an emergency, fires, rains, floods, children don’t go to kindergarten, drinking with friends and other everyday difficulties. But on August 13, everything grew together, my wife and I put the children to bed, and my friend and I (he’s driving a Honda CB 400) are going to the LEADER karting track, which is located in Podolsk. This is where fucking karma comes into play... when leaving the garage, I press the button on the wall to close the door and nothing happens, the gate from the ceiling does not come down... I poke and poke, silence... A call from my wife on the headset “so and so, our lights have been turned off” , and we have a private house... when the little ones get up, they will need to eat, and the stove is electric. We resolved the issue with a gas camp stove and I set off for Podolsk.
I’m in a bad mood, home problems are in my head... I understand that the track will not forgive such distraction by extraneous thoughts and there is a chance of sticking something during the race and flopping. My friend and I decided to fill up with gas before the trek, and at the gas station I received a message from my beloved “they gave me the light!”, I felt better mentally, and my mood became fighting.
Upon arrival at the Leader, he immediately went to find out “what? whom? Where?". Where is the entrance to the track, where is the exit to the pit lane, where is the manifest, where is the toilet... I paid for 2 sessions, but didn’t take any more, who knows how it will go.
While I was waiting for the end of the karting and the start of the motorcycle sessions, I unscrewed the mirrors, relieved the pressure from the wheels and was about to seal the headlights with reinforced tape, but here it turns out that this is not customary. I taped it, I didn’t seal it, I took off the number, I didn’t take it off, and I don’t care about the leather one-piece suit and back protection. I didn’t bother either, I thought that the speeds here were not so high and the consequences would not be the same as in accidents on the Ball (but I wore separate back protection).
I gave a short briefing to my friend (he is a first-season rider): 1) ride slowly and study the route; 2) the first 2-3 laps you warm up the tires; 3) you don’t adapt to anyone, you go as best you can. Announcement according to the saying “5 minute readiness of the motorcycle” and then it turns out that I forgot the box for the gopra, but I wanted to take pictures. I thought that it wouldn’t be a big loss, there would be less distraction (the camera always distracts me, whether it’s a motorcycle or diving... you think: “How is it filming? Is it on or not? Does stabilization work? Is the battery alive?).
We started the first session with five of us: 1) a 6-year-old boy on the pit; 2) Sasha on Kawasaki ZX6R; 3) I; 4) a girl on a BMW S1000RR; 5) Oleg on CB 400.
The boy on the pit immediately flew off into the sunset and only then periodically overtook us by a lap or two. I was trying to get used to the cycling feel of the R3. If the 600ka straightened its trajectory in an arc with gas, and I tried to tilt it, then the R3 was not going to straighten anything and simply fell into the turn. Sashka rode in front of him and I couldn’t keep up with him. But my friend fell behind me and I rode alone, sometimes getting scared by a passing pit.
My next session went about the same way, only the speed became higher and the inclines lower. And Sanya on Ninza caught a lowside from the rear wheel (in the video below under the same circumstances and in the same turn, but the next day the jixer will fly away), over-throttled...the motor made a couple of revolutions on the left side, scratched the plastic, the engine cover, bent the gearbox tab and clip-on The pilot is safe, and this is the main thing. At this point, Sanya concluded with the rides and went home, the girl on the cheese also left, and I went to pay for another session.
My friend took a break and was able to film me on his phone.
In this session, I had a liter jixer with me prepared for the track, when he overtook me, I tried to follow him as best I could. Timing showed the best time of the session was 1:15:014.
Time allowed me to take one more session and I persuaded my friend to do the final one, it was a fatal mistake. Oleg, having gotten used to it a little, decided to go around the circle faster and flew away in one of the right turns.
We left together and he stayed close to me, and then disappeared... I was driving another round and saw him on the side of the road, I thought, “Well, I didn’t fit in and flew out,” and I drove on. On the next lap I see him again in the same place. I stopped near it, and there was a headlight - minus, a dash - minus, the exhaust was torn off, the engine was in the ground and didn’t want to start. I say push him straight to the exit, and I went to finish my laps.
Upon arrival at the parking lot, we found a full gasoline air filter and a stuck needle in the carburetor, through which gasoline was constantly pouring. Thanks to two athletes (one on the same jixer) for helping with the tools. The exhaust was screwed on, the fuel was drained from the air box, the needle was cured by tapping it through a wooden block, and the headlight was attached to tape. With these results we trudged home through traffic jams.
The next day, my family and I go to Sochi by car, we leave at night. And I’m already toiling in the morning, thinking, “I’ll take my laptop with me, write a post about tuning and driving, but there’s no content! It's a mess..." As a result, I persuaded my wife to let me go to Podolsk for exactly one session. The gopra is loaded, the mount is nailed, let's go.
Upon arrival, I was surprised by the number of motorcycles: a shitty mountain of Jixers, Siber, Kavas, Ninja 400, SVkha... I unscrewed the mirrors, paid for the session, talked to everyone, and let's go!
He drove slowly, trying not to fall down. Sometimes I managed to ride on my knee, sometimes on the running board, causing sparks, because I don’t know how to hang over normally. The video turned out well, all the motorcycles were highlighted in it. And my plans are to install a stopper, a short tail, protective covers and go to Myachkovo on August 29 for a track day. I asked my wife to take time off in advance, contacted the coach, I hope the weather will not let me down, and the coach will allocate a place for me in the pits (=
