Yamaha has announced that if they had equipped the newly launched YZF-R3 with ABS, it would have pushed the prices too far. The company wanted to keep R3 price competitive as it wanted to have some advantage against Kawasaki Ninja 300, which is its prime rival. R3 is being retailed for a price of Rs. 3.25 lakhs (ex-showroom) while the Ninja is sold for Rs. 3.60 lakhs (ex-showroom).
The new Yamaha has a price advantage of Rs. 35,000 over its rival which also lacks an ABS. R3 tips the Ninja in terms of power too. It produces 41.4 bhp and 29.6 Nm of torque while the Ninja manages 39 bhp and 27 Nm of torque from a 296 cc twin cylinder engine. Hyosung GT250R, another rival, also has a twin cylinder engine, but its comparatively small 249 cc unit manages only 28 bhp and 22 Nm of torque. Priced at Rs. 3.02 lakhs (ex-showroom), it does not a stand a chance against R3.
The real problem for Yamaha is KTM RC390. The Austrian bike comes equipped with ABS and costs just Rs 2.1 lakhs (ex-showroom). Not only this, it also has a more powerful engine than the R3. The 373 cc unit on the RC390 churns out 43 bhp and 35 Nm of torque and since the bike is 10 kg lighter than R3, the power advantage is magnified. KTM has been successful in creating a market of its own by killing its competition with pricing. Though it has a cylinder less than R3 and Ninja, Indian bikers do not seem to have an issue with that.
In terms of twin cylinder bikes, Yamaha YZF-R3 seems to be ahead of the curve, but when it comes to overall performance and price, RC390 just takes the trophy.
