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2023 Yamaha YZF-R3 First Look Preview

The 2023 Yamaha YZF-R3 haunts the streets in Phantom Purple.

Updated: September 1, 2022

The Tuning Fork company’s 2023 YZF-R3 sports a new color.Yamaha

Production motorcycles come in just about every color on the spectrum, but it isn’t very often you see purple as an option. Luckily for those who value variety, Yamaha’s iconic beginner-friendly YZF-R3 sportbike will haunt the streets in Phantom Purple for 2023.

Purple is not all that common on a stock motorcycle, but the R3 is working it.Yamaha

In case you’re not feeling the new pop of purple, not to worry; returning colors Team Yamaha Blue and Midnight Black are still available.

There won’t be any chassis or engine changes for the new model year, but that’s OK; the small-displacement Yamaha will stay true to the qualities that make it a superb entry-level motorcycle. Sport-tuned suspension, responsive hydraulic disc brakes, Dunlop GPR tires, and aggressive ergos contribute to its dynamic track capability; a claimed 56 mpg from its 36 hp, 321cc parallel-twin make it an efficient and entertaining commuter.

LEDs illuminate the area of the bike that people in cars will see most often.Yamaha

For those keeping track of prices, the R3′s MSRP is $5,499, a $200 increase from last year.

Will the 2023 Yamaha YZF-R3′s Phantom Purple attract a new group of riders? What are your thoughts? The comments section is waiting.

2023 Yamaha YZF-R3 Technical Specifications and Price

PRICE	$5,499
ENGINE	321cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled parallel twin; 4 valves/cyl.
BORE x STROKE	68.0 x 44.1mm
COMPRESSION RATIO	11.2:1
FUEL DELIVERY	Fuel injection
CLUTCH	Wet, multiplate
TRANSMISSION/FINAL DRIVE	6-speed/chain
MEASURED HORSEPOWER	36 hp @ 10,700 rpm
MEASURED TORQUE	19.8 lb.-ft. @ 9,000 rpm
FRAME	N/A
FRONT SUSPENSION	Inverted telescopic fork; 5.1 in. travel
REAR SUSPENSION	Monocross single shock, preload adjustable; 4.9 in. travel
FRONT BRAKE	Floating 298mm hydraulic disc w/ ABS
REAR BRAKE	220mm hydraulic disc w/ ABS
WHEELS, FRONT/REAR	Cast aluminum; 17 in./17 in.
TIRES, FRONT/REAR	Dunlop Sportmax GPR-300; 110/70-17 / 140/70-17
RAKE/TRAIL	25.0°/3.7 in.
WHEELBASE	54.3 in.
SEAT HEIGHT	30.7 in.
FUEL CAPACITY	3.7 gal.
CLAIMED WET WEIGHT	375 lb.
WARRANTY	1 year, limited
AVAILABLE	Now
CONTACT	yamahamotorsports.com

The graphics of the Team Yamaha Blue and Midnight Black R3s carry over from 2022.Yamaha

All color options share the same $5,499 price tag.Yamaha

The view from the cockpit will look familiar. The digital instrumentation features a top-sweeping tach, large speedometer, and gear position indicator among other useful information.Yamaha

A 2-into-1 exhaust belts out the parallel twin’s tune.Yamaha

17-inch Dunlop Sportmax tires are spooned around 10-spoke cast aluminum wheels.Yamaha

The new Phantom Purple is available now.Yamaha