Yamaha India no more sells the BS3 version of the R3, on the backdrop of BS3 vehicles being banned from registration, however the BS4 version is in the pipeline.
The Indian automotive market witnessed the ban on sale and registration of BS3 vehicles from the start of this financial year by the Supreme Court. Almost every automobile manufacturer was in a hurry to clear off their unsold stock and huge discounts were on offer too.
The Yamaha R3 was a BS3 compliant model and hence the R1 maker had to discontinue its retailing from the 1st of April 2017. Yamaha is currently readying the BS4 version of the R3 and has temporarily removed the motorcycle from their website. The bike was recently showcased at the Bangkok International Motor Show and it featured new colour schemes and a new set of graphics, and we expect the BS4 variant also to wear the same make-up.
The heart of the bike, however will remain the same. The 321cc parallel twin engine of the Yamaha produces the same 42 BHP of power and 29 Nm of torque. The 6-speed transmission will continue as well. We hope Yamaha gives it the much needed ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), at least as an option. The BS3 version traded at Rs. 3.26 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi) and expect the prices to go slightly upward for the BS4 variant.
The main issue in switching the Yamaha R3 to meet BS4 emission norms is the fact that the motorcycle is brought to India via the CKD route from Indonesia. Thus changes need to be made there first and until that doesn’t happen, Kawasaki has a green run in the segment as the Ninja 300 was updated with BS4 and AHO last month.
2017 Yamaha R3
– Yamaha India has stopped selling the R3 since it was a BS3 compliant version
– The R3 has been temporarily removed from the company’s website
– The mechanicals will remain the same, Yamaha might only give it cosmetic changes
