Updated Yamaha YZF-R25 Spied; New R3 In The Works?

The prototype was spotted with USD forks and LED headlamps, suggesting an update for the current R3 too

It is no secret that Yamaha has been working on the new R25 for a while now. And now, new spy images of the test bike suggest that the motorcycle is heading closer to production. But first things first, the Yamaha R25 is not for sale in India. However, whatever changes the R25 gets will also be incorporated in the R3, which is in dire need of an update.

Coming back to the spy images, while the photos are not of the highest quality, we can figure out some interesting details. It seems like the front has seen some minor design changes to the split headlights, making them sharper. There’s also an air intake between them, which actually works, unlike the dummy one on the R15 v3.0. Coming back to the headlights, they seem to be running LEDs now.

Another major change is the addition of upside-down forks, instead of the conventional telescopic units. This isn't surprising, considering Yamaha did something similar with the international-spec Yamaha R15 v3.0. While not visible in the spy images, we also expect the motorcycle to come with a fully digital instrument cluster instead of a semi-digital one.

The India-spec Yamaha R3 currently makes 42PS of power and 29.6Nm of peak torque from its 321cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, inline 2-cylinder engine. Given the competition from the larger Kawasaki Ninja 400 that makes 49PS, a more powerful Yamaha R3 seems logical. In addition, Yamaha might also update the R3 with Variable Valve Actuation (VVA), just like the R15 v3.0. So, expect the same treatment for the R3 as well.

Yamaha is expected to launch the updated R25 some time next year in the Indonesian market. We expect the next generation R3 to follow soon. Currently, the Yamaha R3 retails for Rs 3.48 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), with the addition of Metzelers and dual-channel ABS. However, with the new upgrades, expect the price to go up to Rs 3.60 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Yamaha YZF-R3 will go up against the Kawasaki Ninja 400 (Rs 4.69 lakh), the DSK Benelli 302R (Rs 3.62 lakh), TVS Apache RR 310 (Rs 2.23 lakh) and the KTM RC 390 (Rs 2.37 lakh) (all prices, ex-showroom Delhi).

Image credits - Macantua.com