It’s light, low and smooth...
and for the price it’s difficult
to fault it. I don’t think
there’s any such thing as a
bad bike anymore and this R3
is in that vein
COMPARED TO THE ‘18 RACE BIKE
Harry Khouri and Benny Baker, who run at
the front of the Australian race series, offered
me their steeds for a few laps, and I grabbed
the opportunity with both hands. Both Harry
and Ben’s bikes felt similar to, and slightly
faster, than the new ‘19, but only due to the
Power Commander fitted to their bikes. The
handling just wasn’t there though, there’s
something in the new bike’s USD front end
and seating position which means it brakes
much better and feels better tipping into the
apex of a corner. In the end, if you want to win
on the track you’re going to have to get the
new bike and that’s all there is to it.
ROAD RIDING
Day two was a more leisurely real world
ride through the Blue Mountains. There
was plenty of traffic, a bit of scratching and
some commuting between the good bits.
The R3 proved to be a chameleon, having
stiffer suspension than last year but without
a bumpier ride, rather more direct steering
and more control. On the road, it’s a bike that
gives the rider an “I’ve got this” feel and air of
confidence that lets you just concentrate on
your surroundings rather than riding the bike.
The R3 covers most bases as it’s ideal for the
learner and is just as happy cruising with an
experienced rider behind the bars.
It’s light, low and smooth... and for the price
it’s difficult to fault it. I don’t think there’s any
such thing as a bad bike anymore and this R3
is in that vein. As I stated at the start, there is
competition creeping in now with bikes like
the 400 Ninja hitting the market so changes
did need to be made. Have the engineers
done enough to keep the Yamaha up with the
new pack of lightweights? Absolutely.