Yamaha’s top-selling motorcycle overall last year was the YZF-R3, and for 2019 it’s even better, with a noticeable suspension upgrade and a fresh new look. (Photos by Brian J. Nelson)
Glittery, feature-laden flagship products may be sexy, but in today?s world the bread-and-butter models are the ones that return the most bang for the least buck. So it?s no surprise to me that the roughly $5,000 YZF-R3 was the top-selling Yamaha motorcycle overall in 2018, a spot it swaps regularly with another inexpensive grin factory, the FZ/MT-07 (read our Road Test Review here). The R3 debuted in 2015, a bit late to the lightweight sportbike party, but it immediately impressed us with its fun factor and everyday usability.
Read our Tour Test Review of the 2016 Yamaha YZF-R3 here! Resculpted gas tank is lower and wider, the better to tuck in and hang off.
For 2019, the R3 got a makeover that included a new upside-down 37mm KYB fork with revised settings, new triple clamps, an updated KYB rear shock, new radial Dunlop Sportmax tires, a redesigned fuel tank, lower clip-ons and a facelift that ties it to its YZR-M1 (much bigger) brother. While we like the new look, it?s the suspension updates that take the littlest YZF to the next level.
New gold 37mm upside-down KYB fork has a stiffer spring and increased compression and rebound damping. Single-disc, two-piston front brake is a bit disappointing, however.
Up front, the spring rate was increased by 20 percent and both rebound and ...