Yamaha has always a strong fanbase in India, especially among young riders who love sporty design, performance, and racing DNA. From commuters to performance-oriented bikes, Yamaha’s lineup has created a special place in the Indian two-wheeler market. However, when it comes to big bikes, the situation is quite different.
Currently, the Yamaha R15 (155cc) is the biggest motorcycle officially sold by Yamaha in India. For many years, Indian riders have been waiting for bigger Yamaha sportbikes, and the launch of the Yamaha R3 and MT-03 in India raised a lot of excitement. Sadly, that excitement now seems to be short-lived.
Yamaha R3 and MT-03 Discontinued in India
According to multiple Yamaha dealerships, the Yamaha R3 and Yamaha MT-03 have been discontinued in India. These two motorcycles were the only parallel-twin Yamaha bikes officially available in the Indian market. Both models were brought to India via the CBU (Completely Built Unit) route, which made them expensive for most buyers.
When Yamaha launched the R3 and MT-03 in December 2023, the price started at around Rs 4.6 lakh (ex-showroom). Due to the premium pricing, many Indian motorcycling enthusiasts felt that the bikes were overpriced when compared to rivals. As a result, the response from buyers was mixed, and sales remained limited.
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Globally, Yamaha has an impressive big-bike lineup, including models like the Tenere 700, Yamaha R7, R9, MT-07, MT-09, and more. Unfortunately, none of these motorcycles are officially available in India. Enthusiasts who want these bikes currently have only one option—import them directly from Japan, which again involves very high costs.
Is a New Yamaha R3 and MT-03 Coming?
Here’s where things get interesting. In the global market, Yamaha has introduced updated versions of the R3 and MT-03. The new models feature a much sharper design and styling that closely resembles the legendary Yamaha R1. This aggressive and modern look has created fresh excitement among Yamaha fans worldwide. While Yamaha has not made any official announcement yet, the global updates clearly show that the brand is still investing in these models.
What Can Indian Yamaha Fans Expect?
For now, the discontinuation of the Yamaha R3 and MT-03 is disappointing news for Indian enthusiasts. However, the arrival of new-generation models in the international market keeps hope alive. If Yamaha decides to bring these bikes back to India with local assembly or more competitive pricing, they could attract a much larger audience.