Yamaha MT-03
Yamaha MT-03 – Jan 2007 – June 2007
Purchased: 10/01/07
Mileage: 5 miles
Price: £4200
Accessories: Yamaha Fly-screen,Belly pan and pillion cover
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Review:
This was my first ever bike. I bought it based on looks and reviews on the internet, as I hadn’t test rode it. I also checked out the review in Bike mag who said it was pretty good. So I went for it and for a while at least, I was satisfied. Once I was over the flat tyre issue I loved it, a real point and shoot bike with good torque and nice handling. The annoying things were the fuel light coming on prematurely, the hard seat, complete lack of any top end and hard ride. To be honest I wasn’t really that bothered about my yamaha. It was a first hack and even though i had bought it new, it didn’t really excite me all that much. Then after the pillion seat melted I lost complete interest in it.
It had a great sound out the dual pipes, a gruff rasp and sounded more powerful than the single cylinder 660cc engine could ever be.
Pros:
- Great looks
- Confidence Inspiring
- Great sound
- Nice dials
- Wide bars
Cons
- Low fuel capacity
- Hard ass seat
- Crap top end
- Dodgy fuel light issue
Hi,
I would just like to know your opinion about the criticism of purchasing a large capacity bike as a first bike.
I’m almost 17 years old and i’m looking for a good first bike.In short, i’m a loyal supporter of the restricted licensing system in Europe however i’m currently in the middle east where drivers don’t respect bikers and a big bike kitted out with loud aftermarket cans are a necessity for survival.
I also would like to know if it is better to consider other low performance large capacity bikes besides the MT03.(My riding experience is minimal,but I know how to ride,so R6s and GSXR600s are out of the question).
Thnx in advance
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 19:55
Hi Ernest.
Thanks for the email.
A large capacity bike being 1000cc? Or are you talking anything over 150/250cc?
I guess the criticism is that you get the new guys passing their test and thinking that they know how to ride. So they get an R6 or sometimes bigger, like R1s! They then head out, oblivious to any limits of tyres, conditions, other road users and either end up dead or seriously injured, sometimes involving other innocent people as well.
I totally understand if you have ridden off road or have been brought up with bikes that you may have a little bit more experience than fresh as a daisys, but even so, being on the road is a completely different ball game to off-roading.
However, when you pass your test, don’t, DO NOT get a small bike. The 125s for instance, have extremely thin tyres, are quite unstable and don’t really have the get up and go that you sometimes need.
I suggest going for a naked 600 as a first bike. Not only are they so much more stable at lower and higher speeds, they are easier to control with ease. The reasons are thus:
A R6 is a racing bike. This means it has racing brakes. Racing steering. Racing stance, racing position, suspension and power. You will find that to ride a racing bike well, you need to be going fast and know the limits of the bike. It may allow some lapse of judgment or whatever, but if you suddenly grab a handful of brake, you will go over the handlebars.
An FZ6 is the same engine as the R6, but it’s been reduced in the power dept. It also has softer brakes, softer suspension, relaxed riding position, wider steering lock and is a damn sight easier to ride. For a learner or new rider, being able to control the bike is what keeps you from hitting the deck.
More than that, for any new rider you need to come to terms with the fact that you will drop your first bike. You can deny it all you want but there will be that time when you are out riding and you may try to take a corner and something will not feel right. You wont know how to deal with it and the consequence will be sore bums and sorer wallets.
The more you ride the more you become accustomed to certain things and you know when something isn’t right and can adapt to prevent anything further happening. On a naked 600 the margin for recovery is big. On a sports 600, the margin is significantly smaller.
What else…
Ah, the loud thing. If you have ever been to watch 125cc race bikes, you’ll know what I mean when I say ear bleed. You don’t need a large capacity bike to be loud. Get any bike and slap a straight through without baffles and you have a seriously loud and very nice sounding machine. The MT-03 is available with Akrapovic cans, which increase performance and sound delicious. Same goes for any 600cc IL4 or twin.
So.
Ignore people who say you will be better getting a 125 for a first bike. If you follow their advice, you’ll get a 125, have it for half a week and think, this is slow, wobbly and boring.
Dont get a sports bike but get a mid range 600. So a Yam MT-03, a Suzuki Bandit, Suzuki GSR600, FZ6, Honda Hornet, Suzuki SV650, Kawaski ER6, Versys, Maybe a triumph street triple. There are tonnes of bikes out there, you’ll just have to find one that suits your budget, style, needs (pillion passengers?Forget the Triumph then) and what suits your riding style.
There are tonnes of aftermarket can manufacturers, Micron, Two Brothers, Remus, Arrow, Devil, Blue Flame, Akrapovic to name but a few and they will all make your bike sound mega loud and mega nice.
Final point. If you dont rate anything of what I just wrote, then please please read this. Any bike that you get is absolutely NO substitute for good riding technique. if you are a shit rider, dont pay attention and generally cheat death at every throttle twist, you will die. There is no if’s or buts. You need to get your awareness and skill of handling a bike down before you even consider doing any kind of spirited riding. Although remember that most bikes out there can go faster than most sports cars so always be careful.
Anyway, I hope this helps and remember, start small and build up. Your young so get a 600 and run it for 2-3 years. The initial insurance for you may be quite big but by the time you get to 20, you will have enough experience to get a bigger bike and the insurance wont be a farce.
Let me know if you have any more questions,
Gordon
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 21:15
Hi,
Thanks a lot, I really appreciate your advice.I really needed someone to say that I’m not crazy for thinking that I just want a modest big bike.I’ve read loads of blogs about 16 year olds wanting larger capacity bikes(I mean 600cc bikes) and go for a CBR600 or R6s as their first bikes,as you said,and most experts on forum go straight to the same conclusion; saying that if you start riding then you have to start small and work your way up.I’m currently in the U.A.E for educational reasons of course(I’m from Hungary),anyway, here drivers are completely blind to bikers on small bikes(250/125 bajas and hondas mostly).I’m not talking about old lady in a volvo blind, I’m saying that last year a car crashed into a motorcyclist in front of our house on my way to school because the car driver “thought” there were no “cars” in front of him and simply didn’t bother to stop!
I have a few questions concerning the necessary kit.I would like to know if I have to buy a top of the range helmet(such as an Arai or Shark)?
I’m not don’t intend to go to the local Carrefour (Tesco’s equivalent) and buy a helmet for 10 quid ,although, my budget is limited.
My next question is: Whether “shorties”(the discrete not full-on racing boots) offer the same protection as normal ones?
Before I forget,Is there any noticeable difference between a SV650 and an SV650s(not the SV650 Sport)?and isn’t it a bit powerful compared to an Hornet or MT 03?
I really like the look,its a bit sporty, and there are not fairings to worry about on the side in an off.Furthermore, it has a wind deflector so I can use it go do a bit of traveling as well.(The SV)
And finally about leathers(pretty mush the same as my first question).I know that I’m going to drop my bike eventually and I’m not very keen on buying the best leathers so would a Forceshield leg protector and an integrated chest,arm and back protector with averagely priced leathers do the job?
Thank you for your patience,and helpfulness(I’ve written to some people over 6 months ago who still haven’t answered).
Thanks Again
Ernest
Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 15:30
Hi Ernest, No problem!
Helmets are the most vital part of your motorcycle gear. Forget what anyone else says, your head is the control room and that’s what you need to protect.
It used to be the case where if you wanted a reliable helmet then you go for Arai/Shoei. Today a lot of people still think that. However the helmet market is now swimming with brilliant, non famous brands that do the same if not much better jobs!
If you swing over to SHARP helmet ratings (sharp.direct.gov.uk) you can see what helmets are the best. You’ll find that Nitro/Laser are actually pretty good and a lot cheaper than big names.
The reason I bought a Shoei was because I had tried on everything and none fitted me. Caberg, Roof, Shark, AGV, RST, Laser etc etc. Up until I was given my GP-Tech, I had steered clear of AGV because they didnt fit, but the new breed of AGV seems to cater for a much larger head shape market.
So yeah, check out the SHARP ratings website and make your decision based on that and what actually fits your head.
The SV650S is the “bikini” fairing model, where the bike is naked to the sides but has this half fairing around the bar area. It offers sort of the best of both worlds, where you get the naked look but with the benefit of a screen.
The SV650 Sport is the full faired model.
All SV650 models are the same bike. There is no engine difference or speed advantage, but if you have a screen, the aerodynamics will be better, thus you will be able to go faster.
The thing with twins is that there is a lot of torque low down in the rev range. My current bike is a Suzuki GSR600. It’s an in line 4 and revs to 14.5k. My old bike, a Buell XB12Ss (1200cc V-twin) revved to 6k.
My GSR is faster than my Buell, but the Buell ripped your arms off from 0-6k revs. The GSR needs to get to 9k before anything really happens. So the SV650 is a diluted version of that. It’s got great stability, engine wise and will offer you a lot of control and instant “oomph” when you need it. Definitely a good choice.
Leathers are a get what you pay for deal. Get cheap leathers and they will protect you in the event of a spill, but will not protect you as much as a more expensive set. It all depends on what you want/need. if you are racing motorcycles at speeds like 180mph, you certainly need a decent set of leathers. If you are jaunting around, you can afford to spend a little less and still be relatively well covered.
Most leathers these days come with armour already in them, i.e. shoulders, elbows and knees. Most do not come with a back protector so you will have to source one. Forcefield do good stuff.
Buying armour to go in an armoured suit might seem the safest option, but try putting all your armour on and then zipping yourself in to leathers. you’ll be like a robot, with restricted movement.
Find a decent priced leather, 1 or 2 piece and make sure it comes with armour. They will all protect your first impact points and serve their purpose.
let me know if you need anything else! cheers.
Gordon
Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 16:36
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