The Most Affordable Motorcycle With A Two-Cylinder Engine

• Yamaha MT-03 stands out with easy-on-the-pocket MSRP and perky engine performance for new riders.
• Neutral handling dynamics and a comfortable ride make it an excellent beginner motorcycle option.
• Aggressive MT design with sharp lines and excellent build quality, offering practicality at an accessible price point.

The beginner motorcycle segment is a tough place to be for motorcycles. Each bike needs to stand out and have a unique selling point borrowed from one of its bigger siblings. In this crowd, the Yamaha MT-03, the Master of Darkness, kind of sits in the shadows of its rivals. It’s not the most powerful or fanciest, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad motorcycle. It’s still excellent for a specific set of riders.

The MT-03 was launched back in 2016, and since then, it has been a naked version of the YZF-R3. Yes, both the bikes feel a bit budget, but Yamaha has given the MT a dash of upgrades over the years. The current iteration of the MT-03 comes with USD forks, an LCD dash, sharp styling, and a parallel-twin engine that’s perky yet easy-going. Its biggest USP, though, is the easy-on-the-pocket MSRP!

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Yamaha and other authoritative sources, including Motorcycle News and Moto Statz.

Also, we know the new Benelli 302S is a cheaper two-cylinder option than the MT-03, but it’s a motorcycle that still remains a mystery due to its limited availability and Benelli’s limited network in America. Plus, you get more with the MT-03 (whether it’s power, reliability, or brand value), which is why we’ve focused on this one.

Yam MT-03 24

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The Most Affordable Parallel-Twin On The Market

Power Output: 41.4 HP @ 10,750 RPM

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The heart of the Yamaha MT-03 is the parallel-twin engine that’s taken straight from the YZF-R3. Best described as sufficient, it’s never intimidating or fast enough to scare your pants off. Yet, has enough juice to help you learn the ropes and have some fun. The power delivery is linear and friendly, and thanks to the offset cylinders, the throttle response is smooth, too. It’s most comfortable on city streets, but it can reach highway speeds with ease. Just be wary of the wind blast.

The engine is charming (albeit a little slow), but the peripherals make up for the not-so-exciting numbers. The six-speed transmission promises to be slick, with the slipper clutch ensuring the lever action is light, too. Then there’s the lovely exhaust note, although we’d suggest an aftermarket exhaust to unlock the real roar. Finally, there’s the ridiculously good fuel economy of mid-70s MPG figures to guarantee over 200 miles of range. So yes, it may not be the fastest or the liveliest in the segment, but it’s fun and easy to live with.

Engine Highlights

• 180-degree crank design with integrated counterbalancers for minimal vibes
• Downdraft induction FI system for better fuel economy, response, and easy starting
• Use of DiASil high-silicone aluminum alloy in the cylinder improves heat dissipation
• Offset cylinder design reduces friction and improves response and performance
• Forged aluminum pistons reduce power loss and vibes
• Short muffler design centralizes mass

Engine And Performance Specifications

Engine Type

Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-stroke, parallel-twin

Displacement

321cc

Compression Ratio

11.2:1

Fuel Capacity

3.7 gal

Max Torque

21.8 LB-FT @ 9,000 RPM

Top Speed

108 MPH

0 to 60 MPH

5.11 seconds

(Specs sourced from Yamaha and Moto Statz)

890 Duke R engine close up

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Neutral Ride Quality But Don’t Take It For Granted

Seat Height: 30.7 in

Let’s address the elephant in the room: the pretty basic tubular steel frame that won’t win you any cornering awards. But don’t knock it just yet; this is the same frame present on the R3, which Yamaha races in the World Supersport 300 Series! On the MT-03, the frame offers neutral handling dynamics — never too sharp nor too lazy.

The frame is suspended on KYB inverted forks and a monoshock–both soft enough for a comfortable riding experience even on bumpy roads. You can also adjust the preload to make it stiff. Then there’s the two-piston conventionally mounted caliper that may not look as beefy as radial calipers on the MT-03’s rivals, but it performs way better than you’d expect. It brings this light motorcycle to a halt well, and you also get the safety net of ABS.

While such ride manners may not make it a hooligan motorcycle, they add up to making this an excellent beginner motorcycle. The riding position is relaxed, the bike is light, and the handling is never intimidating. It’s predictable and forgiving for new riders. But if you want to improve the ride quality, you can consider getting some aftermarket mods to fine-tune the road manners according to your needs.

Recommended Modifications For The MT-03

• Grippier set of tires
• High-friction brake pads (preferably sintered ones)
• Set of steel braided brake lines
• An aftermarket exhaust
• Adjustable suspension (if you have the monetary appetite for it)

Chassis And Dimensions Specifications

Frame Type

Tubular steel chassis

Wheelbase

54.3 inches

Rake

25-degree

Trail

3.7 inches

Wet Weight

373 lbs

Front Suspension

37mm KYB inverted fork with 5.1-inch travel

Rear Suspension

Single shock with preload adjustment, 4.9-inch travel

(Specs sourced from Yamaha)

Aggressive MT Design With Excellent Build Quality

The Yamaha MT-03’s design is not friendly on all eyeballs. Some love it, some hate it. If you’re in the former category, you’ll appreciate the sharp and aggressive lines of the bike inspired by the next-gen MT design. You can see this one borrowing elements from bigger MT motorcycles, like the sculpted fuel tank, air scoops, and a tightly packed headlight. It has true Master of Torque vibes, and it also looks bigger than it is.

The design is complemented well by the build quality. Yes, the Yamaha MT-03 is made in Indonesia, not Japan, but that’s not an issue with its build quality at all. The motorcycle is a well-finished product, and while it may come with budget components, nothing should feel cheap or flimsy. It’s a well-built bike on par with its made-in-Japan rivals, like the Kawasaki Z400.

Design Highlights

• Aggressive headlight
• Sculpted fuel tank is designed to fit snugly with the rider
• Air scoops enhance the look
• Flyline produces a mass-forward body design that’s a highlight of MT bikes
• Colored wheels add a pop of color to the bike (on the Midnight Cyan color variant)

2023 YAMAHA MT-10 naked bike in a foggy street alley at night.

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You’re Buying Accessible Practicality

Starting MSRP: $4,999

The Yamaha MT-03 is the most affordable (good) motorcycle with two-cylinders. There’s also the Suzuki GSX-250R, but that’s obsolete now. Is the MT worth your hard-earned money? That depends on how you look at it. If you are a beginner rider looking for a friendly bike or a biker looking for something basic without gimmicks, the MT-03 is right up your alley.

In all honesty, you can spend a bit more and get a lot more with some of its rivals. For example, spend $300 to $500 more, and you can get significantly better bikes, including the Kawasaki Ninja 500 or Z500, and CFMoto 450NK. But if you’re adamant about the MT-03, keep some spare change for aftermarket mods. You might need them once you get more comfortable with your MT.

Yamaha MT-03 Twin-Cylindered Rivals

• CFMoto 450SS: $5,699
• CFMoto 450NK: $5,399
• Kawasaki Ninja 500: $5,299
• QJMotor SRK 400 RR: $5,099