Following on from the recent unveiling of the MT-25 in Indonesia, Yamaha is set to introduce a larger capacityversion for developed markets based on the YZF-R3 sport bike. Dubbed the MT-03 or MT-320 (FZ in USA), the new model is intended to fill the gap inYamaha’s lineup between the entry level MT-125 and the powerful MT-07.
The MT-25is made in the new Yamaha Indonesia Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing facility in Pulogadung, East Jakarta, and is based on the Asian YZF-R25 model. Powered by a four strokeinline twin cylinder 249 cc engine, it produces 36 hp (26.8 kW) and features anintricate streetfighter styling. In Indonesia it sells for 46 million Rupiah(US$3,500).
Yamaha's pressrelease states that "theMT-25 is planned for many countries around the world, including developedmarkets." Given that in Australia, Europe, Japan and USA the YZF series includes the 320 cc R3 variant instead of the 249 cc R25, we should expect to see an MT modelwith this bigger engine. In R3 spec this fuel injected twin motor outputs 42 hp(31.3 kW).
A recentpatent leak has confirmed that a version of the new mid-sized MT equipped with ABS ison its way, probably programmed for official presentation at EICMA in Milan,Italy in November.
Yamaha faces competition from a range of brand new models withengine capacities upwards of 300 cc, such as the Kawasaki Z300 and BenelliBN302 twins, and the Honda CB300F and KTM 390 Duke singles. Triumph is also knownto be developing a similar capacity naked motorcycle, styled after the iconicSpeed Triple. Last year a prototype rumored to use a new 250 cc singlecylinder motor had been spotted while testing, yet recent reports indicate adelay in the development process in order to upgrade the engine to 300 cc in aneffort to keep up with its competitors.
These motorcycleswhere mostly designed for Asian markets with quarter liter engines, but have proved to be very successful in Europe – helped by the fact that the second levelmotorcycle license (A2) is capped to 35 kW (47 hp), regardless of enginecapacity.
