Yamaha unveils naked R1 and R3 bikes

Yamaha has stripped off the fairings from its R1 and R3 to produce naked and aggressive MT-10 and MT-03 bikes at the EICMA Motorcycle show in Milan.

Yamaha also unveiled a 60th anniversary YZF-R1 60th with Akrapovic exhaust, carbon fibre heat shield and special Kenny Roberts yellow and black speedblock racing colours and graphics.

But it’s in the naked category that Yamaha is excelling in many markets around the world, thanks to its Masters of Torque range.

For 2016, they have the MT-10 naked version of the R1 and MT-03 naked version of the R3.

Now with the inclusion of the MT-10, it will take on the likes of the BMW S 1000 R, KTM 1290 Super Duke R, Ducati Monster 1200 R, Kawasaki Z1000 and MV Agusta Brutal 1090 RR.

The MT-10 is powered by the R1 998cc CP4 crossplane engine tuned for 126kW of power, 101Nm of torque with a midrange peak and weighing just under 200kg.

It will also feature switchable three-mode traction control, slipper clutch, an LCD dash and even cruise control which seems strange on a “hooligan” bike.

The menacing looking MT-10 features wide handlebars, Transformers “face” and some bold trim colours such as fluorescent yellow and blue.

Yamaha claims the MT is a good long-distance tourer, so it has added cruise control in 4th, 5th and 6th gears between 50km/h and 180km/h.

The chassis is a modified version of the R1 Deltabox with a short 1400mm wheelbase, R1 aluminium upward truss swingarm, and a bespoke steel subframe.

Forks are also a fully adjustable version of the R1 upside-down KYB units with 43mm tubes and 120mm of travel, and there is a fully adjustable KYB shock with Monocross linkage at the rear.

Brakes are 320mm floating discs with radial 4-pot Nissin calipers up front and 220mm disc and sliding caliper at rear with ABS standard.

The new LCD dash shows speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, odometer, gear position indicator, mode information and a programmable shift light.

Meanwhile, the MT-03 gets the R3 321cc engine with 31kW of power, 29Nm of torque and weighing 168kg.

The seat height is 780mm, which should suit many riders and it comes standard with ABS.

As the MT range has gained sales ground for the tuning fork brand, so too Yamaha hopes the XSR range of sporting heritage models will gain some market traction.

They have already unveiled the XSR700 based on the MT-07 and now comes the XSR900 powered by the CP3 847cc engine from the MT-09 with 84kW, 87Nm and 195kg.

Although a retro model, it will come standard with modern hi-tech such as ABS, traction control and slipper clutch.

The XSR900 will come in several paint schemes, including the Roberts tribute colour scheme, ‘Rock Slate’ and matte grey.

Yamaha also announced the unchanged MT-09 will now come with three-level traction control.