Yamaha YZF-R3
"The bike that started it all"
Personal notes
This was the first motorcycle I’ve ever owned, I put approx 10,000 km on it during the year I owned it. From commuting, twisties, weekend rides to the occasional gravel road (definitely not recommended). It taught me so much as a new rider - from road etiquette and bike control to becoming comfortable with the weight and manoeuvring of a motorcycle. I originally bought it because I found a great deal and wanted to see if riding was a hobby I’d actually enjoy, but I ended up loving it far more than expected and often wished I could of kept it forever as a future track bike. The biggest surprise was how capable and enjoyable the R3 remained even as my confidence grew. My only real criticism was the very slim fuel tank. While it would suit petite riders perfectly, I sometimes felt cramped gripping it with my knees and inner thighs on longer rides. I was also surprised by the cost of a brand-new R3, especially when there are larger-capacity bikes (with more features) available for similar money. That said, after owning one, I can understand why they’re so highly regarded - the handling, reliability, and overall riding experience make it a fantastic first motorcycle that genuinely grows with you.
- • Light & nimble
- • Really easy to throw around
- -> It almost becomes an extension of yourself!
- • Perfect for track, commuting, weekend riding
- -> Beginners to advanced riders
- • Expensive compared to some other bikes in its category
- • Fork stem Quadlock mount isn’t compatible
- -> I had to buy 3 seperate parts to replicate this ($280+ 🥲)
- *This isn’t a huge con, I just had my mind set on having my phone mounted there - ofc there are plenty of other options:)
