Yamaha MT-03: One of the best small displacement motorcycles you can buy!

The MT-03 prioritizes handling over outright power, and it is an absolute joy to ride! If you want to improve your skills on a bike that handles well, has a decent sound, and a big bike feel without the weight, this could be your bike! Check it out for yourself by connecting with the amazing team at Maclean's Sports here: www.macleanssports.com

[@user-zy6fv3gm1m]

This was my first bike 6 weeks ago. Have 2k miles on it already. Absolute best entry level bike. I have toured for 3 hour trips, commute every day to work, and even practice my wheelies and slow speed maneuvers. It’s taught me so much and it’s by far the most good looking entry bike in my opinion. Very Decepticon looking. Funny thing is, it can cruise at 70-75 mph easy. Yes there is passing power to be desired, but unless you commute on very high speed highways, which I don’t at the moment, this is an amazing bike that does everything, and it’s by far one of the best intended Street bikes out there

[@BlackArroToons]

Cool to hear. I can relate, having rode 250Rs for 20 years and 70,000 miles worth. Lots of fun and capable on freeways, able to keep up at reasonable speeds. Enjoy!

[@nekotamo1925]

I wanna buy it as my first bike too

[@doespider]

I m about to get my first bike. I m thinking about to get r3 or mt3 :/ mt3 can do daily commute highway (at least 20 mins 110km speed) and city ?

[@doodskie999]

My bike for 2 years now. Love this thing, low maintenance, fuel mpg is decent, shocks are surprisingly good. Very reliable and no issues. Wish yamaha put 150-160 rear tires though. I put 160s on mine and it corners great!

[@user-rf9me7xm1w]

Just found your channel, excellent overview of the MT 03. I downsized to an 03 two years ago after owning many big bikes and discovered what I’d been missing. This is a very underrated bike, I can keep up with much larger bikes, especially on the back roads. After all, the frame and engine are identical to the YZR R3 and that has it’s own racing series. Look forward to seeing more small bike reviews but I can’t think of any which will suit my needs more than this. Best wishes.

[@BlackArroToons]

Cool R3 comparable MT03 here. A fun bike no doubt. I rode Ninja 250s for 20 years because they were so much fun, but also extremely low cost but very reliable bikes. I could go on the freeway with no issues. Passing up hills was out of the question as the main limit, but revving those bikes was tons of fun. You absolutely experienced the full power of that bike often. Each of mine lasted over 35,000 miles each before trading them in. Now on a Ninja 650 '21, but I'd always recommend a smaller bike too. Thanks.

[@roydaroyni]

I found this video is the most complete and fair review of Yamaha MT03. Thanks for this, Peter

[@Dypsomaniart]

I just bought one of these after having many big bikes and small bikes over last 40 years. This is the perfect bike for me, i love it.

[@blueberrythekjericraeder9995]

I started on one had it for a year before i went to the Mt07. I can say its prefect to start on I loved that little bike.

[@Tennessee968]

Love this little bike in this color especially. Great review as always. You are my favorite bike reviewer. Thank you.

[@PeterLoweOne]

Thanks so much for your kind words! I agree, this is a great bike for having some fun on!

[@wereoursouls3472]

Great review Peter. Nice to see you reviewing different brands.

[@PeterLoweOne]

Thanks! Yes I'm reviewing a much wider range of brands, and dipping into a few other things on this channel outside of powersports. I think it will be good!

[@Paul-in-Viet-Nam]

Thank you for this video, it's really informative. I believe light, small-displacement bikes are a lot of fun. The Suzuki GD110 was probably the most fun bike I ever owned. I've been riding for a few years and have no need for a large engine; I'd never get to take advantage of that where I am. I'm trying to decide which bike I want next, so your videos are VERY helpful. I'll have to ride each of my options to help finalize my decision.

[@ronlysons6750]

By far the best reviews on you tube.

[@inquisitive6786]

Best review channel on the tubes

[@Tennessee968]

Agreed. He is very informative and actually cares about his viewers questions. He almost always responds. Busy man I'm sure haha.

[@popshedpilot6635]

I just downsized from an fz6 to a 2022 mt 03 and I absolutely love it. The fuel economy is impressive and its quicker than I thought it would be. I live in rural England and this is the perfect size and weight for b road riding and commuting to work.

[@ozarksjon]

Nice review!

[@enricohagn]

Great presentation of this nice as well as really useful bike, Peter 👍 Tons of these here in SEA 😊

[@PeterLoweOne]

Thanks for watching!!

[@enricohagn]

@@PeterLoweOne pleasure is totally on my side, Peter​👍

[@korazon3spinado]

90% of people who buy a motorcycle just want to have a little fun and or use it for commuting and will never go to a track and race it. This bike is plenty of motorcycle for 90% of riders

[@PeterLoweOne]

I fully agree with your first 90% statement. I'd say the second percentage that you list would be closer to 60%

[@korazon3spinado]

Ok I guess I can buy that. You hear stories of so many people who buy a bike and never ride it. This bike would be less of an investment and more than capable of anything close to legal speeds in the US.

[@sdanville]

I sold my Goldwing, I sold my ST1100, last year sold my CBR1000F. I kept my CBR250R. It is fun and keeps up with traffic. Small displacement..For expert riders also.

[@urmailingalen]

I purchased one for my wife got a great deal so I got to ride it home for her….WOW it’s super smooth power is more than enough for anything other than huge passing power.

[@PeterLoweOne]

Yeah, these are still great bikes! Thanks for sharing!

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

Nice!!

[@rolismawikere]

Hi, Peter, how tall exactly are you in centimeters? Because your body shape and height is almost similiar to mine (181 cm), and I think it looks perfect with the bike. Nice video btw

[@josephthornton8560]

Leaving a comment for you- just BC YT algorithms- interesting bike. I wonder if it could ever be possible for Yamaha to use this platform to build a Tenere 300.

[@chisandagrannum256]

I would love to own one of this bike but can't get one to buy in my country.. im riding a 125cc for 10 years now

[@michaelyee6226]

Hey Peter, just discovered your channel and love your videos. I rode a MT-03 at my Basic Rider Course, and my legs didn’t fit well. I’m about 6’2”, and with feet on the pegs, my knees were too high to hug into the tank nicely, but it was fine for the training course. Do you think there is another 300 cc class bike that I would fit better on (Z400)? Or would I be better suited to check out a MT-07?

[@PeterLoweOne]

I would try the Z400. But it's not a big bike either. If you're comfortable moving to an MT-07, there are plenty of great options in that class that should fit you well.

[@michaelyee6226]

@@PeterLoweOne Thanks and keep up the great work! Looking forward to more of your videos.

[@davejohnstone1967]

Just a quick question. Has anyone had a pillion on the back and was it comfortable for them . Thanks

[@PanGrs]

Best static reviewer on YT 👋

[@PeterLoweOne]

I appreciate it. I try to do something a little different than others just to give a different perspective. I think there are a lot of great riding reviewers and I'll do a number of riding reviews too, but there's space for me on KZbin to do this, so I try to do my best with them to cover information that others don't cover in the same way.

[@PanGrs]

@@PeterLoweOne My bad i've not seen your riding reviews yet. I bet you are exceptional on those too.

[@PeterLoweOne]

@@PanGrs I've only done one so far. I think others will probably do better riding reviews than me, but I'll try to add to the overall conversation on KZbin and see if I can offer unique insight. I don't view other creators as competitors at all, I think we're all sewing a quilt of information, and I think the more quality information, the better.

[@nikolamiljkovic7416]

Rider size

[@ps3thekinglex]

for beginners bike wich is better ? ktm duke 390 or yamaha mt 03 ?

[@PeterLoweOne]

It really depends on your preferences. Sometimes just having a seat on both can help you decide which is best for you. One thing that I always caution other people about is to never let other people tell you which bike is best for you. There are a lot of options out there, and if you like one more than the other, that's the one that you should get, even if other people prefer a different bike. I really like both of the bikes that you mention, but there are reasons to buy one over the other, for sure. It just depends on your priorities.

[@conicotten7356]

Hello. What bike will do off-road as well as on?

[@PeterLoweOne]

There are lots! Check out the Dual Sport class. I'll have a review of a 2024 Dual Sport on Friday.

[@nicolaspel]

I'd like to listen to you commenting the Yamaha XMAX 300!

[@nicolaspel]

18:10 «if you can't have fun on a slow bike, you're not riding correctly» So true!

[@PeterLoweOne]

I'll be reviewing that on this channel! Stay tuned!

[@KF1]

I second this. Those things are neat scoots!

[@Relias444]

The door to my house is 72 cm wide, can MT 03 enter through the door or not?

[@philipjacobsen6550]

is this too small if you are 6'1?

[@PeterLoweOne]

I'm about 6 feet tall, and it works for me. You'd have to try it for yourself to be sure, but I think you'd be fine.

[@SWTrailsAndWheels]

I ride my MT03 near full throttle and near redline all the time, otherwise its just too gutless to move around in traffic as a motorcycle should.

[@PeterLoweOne]

If it's not enough power for you, you should consider getting another bike. Others will find them to be just fine for their needs. I think most people understand that these aren't meant to be R1's

[@ronlysons6750]

No you don't.

[@francescob.3019]

man, why no mt05

[@PeterLoweOne]

I never thought about that... But good point!

[@mahendraomg]

How much is tank capacity?

[@Danny-et4wj]

14 litre

[@Danny-et4wj]

I average 70mpg sometimes a bit more

[@Tennessee968]

Wow really? I heard someone say it got in thr 50's mpg. 70 is great!​@@Danny-et4wj

[@Relias444]

the door of my house is 72 CM wide, can you recommend motorcycles with suitable width

[@PeterLoweOne]

Hmmmm I've never thought about that. These smaller bikes are often a little narrower. Dual sport bikes can often turn very sharp, and I've moved them through narrow doorways despite their actual width at the handlebars.

[@Relias444]

Thank you for the information@@PeterLoweOne

[@herrtomas6729]

Hi

[@chengsgroup2518]

Mt03 or sv650……. Similar price for city and short high way combo…..anyone?

[@PeterLoweOne]

In Canada the MT-03 has an MSRP of $6,599 and the SV650 has an MSRP of $9,199. Those are 2024 prices. If you're able to get them for the same price, I have to assume that you're looking used and then you'll have to take into account the mileage, maintenance records, overall condition, etc. Overall the SV650 is going to be more versatile as it is more comfortable at high speeds, but both bikes will work for what you're describing, with the MT-03 giving you a lower insurance premium.

[@weiyongl]

i live in asia. havd a gb 350s honda. its small capacity. but i still go faster than the teslas here.

[@PeterLoweOne]

Haha. With all due respect, the Tesla's may not be giving it all they've got. You're not beating a plaid with this bike. But having said that, you can absolutely have more fun on a bike like this than a Tesla. I say that as motorcycle riding Tesla driver.

[@korazon3spinado]

Does it have helmet hooks?

[@Danny-et4wj]

Yes

[@dropoutdrivez2667]

11:00 A big somethin on my screen

[@jooby9729]

Grow up

[@frogfrogger6260]

So , No Cruise? So no long haul HWY or Interstate. Even tho, the motorcycle can handle it.

[@PeterLoweOne]

Cruise would be exceptionally rare on anything with a 300cc motor. If you're looking for cruise control on a bike like this, most people look into throttle lock options that work like a switch on the throttle to lock it in position.

[@lordabhikingfisher8087]

MT03 is good. But gutless. I have to rev it to the sky just to keep up with the traffic. Nothing below 650cc for me.

[@PeterLoweOne]

I've driven plenty of bikes that have less power than this, and revving it is part of the fun with these bikes! I know it's not for everyone, and it sounds like it's not for you, but that doesn't make it a bad bike. It's a great bike for those that want to have fun on it and don't need or want the speed of a bigger bike.

[@lordabhikingfisher8087]

@@PeterLoweOne couple of things I like about MT03. My son is safer in MT03 then my liter class bike. You can flog that little bike to death, and it still purrs like a kitten, and it does not overheat in 110-degree Texas summer. It is built like a tank. I personally would have like to see additional 20 hp to punch through the traffic.

[@user-rf9me7xm1w]

“Gutless”, I wouldn’t call a bike which will go 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds “gutless”. I don’t think the R3 racing series would be based on “gutless” motorcycles. Are you riding it properly?

[@lordabhikingfisher8087]

@@user-rf9me7xm1w I used to race 50 cc bike. Those were gutless too.. Racing is not street riding. How many 300cc motorcycle do you see on US roads? Any Why? Because you will kill yourself if you cannot keep up the traffic. In Texas that is 75 to 85 MPH. MT03 is a toy to learn. Not a serious commuter.

[@user-rf9me7xm1w]

@@lordabhikingfisher8087 Fair comment but as I live in England, I don’t see any 300 cc bikes on the US roads ! The speed limits over here is 60 mph on most roads and the cars are not the oversized monsters you have over there so all in all, my MT 03 is ideal for me.

[@milivojcekada1952]

Too bulky motorcycle ... 168 kg for 321 cc ... Yamaha should make a light twin air 250 cc motorcycle that does not tire the driver at speeds of 60 - 70 km/h and does not require too many gear changes ...