Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/520905
VOL. 52 ISSUE 22 JUNE 2, 2015 P63 • Preload adjustable WP rear shock • 32.2in seat height • 324lbs YAMAHA YZF-R3 • $4990 • 321cc, fuel-injected, parallel-twin engine pumps out 43hp • Twin-piston front brake calipers. No ABS • Un-adjustable KYB front suspension • Preload adjustable KYB rear shock • 30.7in seat height • 368lbs So? It's surprisingly very difficult to pick a winner out of these two. Both have clear advantages and faults, however, we've got to give it to the YZF-R3—just. The R3 is that little bit more suited to its intended audience, plus the suspension and brake action were just above that of the KTM. The KTM is oh-so-close to being top dog and, testing it in isolation, it's an absolute cracker of a motorcycle. If I were 16 I'd go for the KTM, hands down, because the looks and engine performance would have been all I'd care about. Bikes slow down if you use the brakes. However the Yamaha repre- sents excellent value for money and will probably suit a wider range of rider, and that's why it gets the gold this time out. CN S P E C I F I C A T I O N S 2 0 1 5 K T M R C 3 9 0 ENGINE: ..... Single cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled DISPLACEMENT: ............................373cc BORE X STROKE: .................89 x 60mm HORSEPOWER: ................................43hp TORQUE: .............................................N/A COMPRESSION RATIO: ................... 12.6:1 IGNITION: ........................................... Key TRANSMISSION: ......................Six-speed FRONT SUSPENSION: ...WP 43mm fork, non-adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: ....WP monoshock, preload adjustable FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: .................4.2 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: ...................5.9 in. FRONT BRAKE: .... Single 320mm discs, Bybre four-piston caliper, ABS REAR BRAKE: ........ Single 230mm disc, single-piston caliper, ABS FRONT TIRE: ....... Pirelli Diablo Rosso II 110/70 ZR17 REAR TIRE: .......... Pirelli Diablo Rosso II 150/60 ZR17 RAKE: ............................................... 23.5° TRAIL: .................................................N/A SEAT HEIGHT: ............................. 32.2 in. WHEELBASE: .................................. 52.7in WEIGHT: ..................................... 304 lbs. COLOR: .............................Orange/black MSRP: ............................................$5499 2 0 1 5 Y A M A H A Y Z F - R 3 ENGINE: ........ Twin cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled DISPLACEMENT: .............................321cc BORE X STROKE: ..................68 x 44mm HORSEPOWER: ............................... 43hp TORQUE: ............................................. N/A COMPRESSION RATIO: .................... 11.2:1 IGNITION: ............................................Key TRANSMISSION: ...................... Six-speed FRONT SUSPENSION: ............ KYB 41mm fork, non-adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: ...KYB monoshock, preload adjustable FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: .................. 5.1 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: ................... 4.9 in. FRONT BRAKE: ..... Single 298mm discs, twin-piston caliper, no ABS REAR BRAKE: ......... Single 220mm disc, single-piston caliper, no ABS FRONT TIRE: ..........Michelin Pilot Street 110/70-17M/C 54H REAR TIRE: .............Michelin Pilot Street 140/70-17M/C 66H RAKE: ...................................................25° TRAIL: ................................................3.7in SEAT HEIGHT: .............................. 30.7 in. WHEELBASE: .................................. 54.3in WEIGHT: ......................................368 lbs. COLOR: ....... Team Yamaha Blue/Matte Silver, Raven, Rapid Red MSRP: ............................................ $4990