India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd's current portfolio consists of around 20 models that include scooters, motorcycles and performance vehicles. The company added the most anticipated YZF-R3 sportsbike in the line-up in 2015, and the year 2016 seems to be dedicated to naked variants as many such models will be showcased at the Auto Expo 2016.
Yamaha India has indicated that the Yamaha MT-03, which is the naked sibling of the YZF-R3 model, and the M-Slaz, the naked version of the YZF-R15, will be showcased at the show, reported Rushlane. Though there is no clarity on the launch of M-Slaz in the country this year, many reports have confirmed that MT-03 will be launched in the Q2 of 2016.
The MT-03 will remove the front fairing from the YZF-R3 and will come with a single-pod headlight over the twin faired version. The motorcycle opts for a more conventional single piece and wide handlebar and dumps the clip-on handle bars.
The design of Yamaha MT-03 is true to the street bikes with a muscular tank, small tail lamp and exposed frame. The motorcycle will be powered by a 321cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled motor churning out 41.6bhp at 10,750rpm and peak torque of 29.6Nm at 9,000rpm. The mill is mated to a six-speed constant mesh gearbox. The MT-03 will be assembled in one of Yamaha's Indian plants to keep the pricing competitive.
On the other hand, the M-Slaz is the naked sibling of the YZF-R15 and is powered by the same 149cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that develops 16.9bhp and 14.3Nm of torque mated to six speed sport transmission. The M-Slaz features Kawazaki Z series inspired headlamp unit which is more angular and razor-sharp. The headlamps feature LED lights and the same goes for the tail lamp. The digital instrument cluster comes with blue background lights. The motorcycle also comes with a push start button similar to the other naked model of Yamaha such as MT09 and MT07.
