Yamaha announces a new MT-03 for 2020
In 2016 Yamaha launched a 321 cc addition to their very successful family of naked bikes. How successful? Well, Yamaha claims sales of their MT series (MT-10, MT-09, MT-07 and down to the MT-15) exceeded 241,000 bikes in Europe alone!
For 2020 Yamaha have announced an updated version of the popular MT-03. The update will include a new look to the front of the bike, new LCD headlight and new bodywork which will include a wider fuel tank amongst other styling tweaks. The engine has been updated and is made out of lighter materials, with updated pistons and valves for higher efficiency and more efficient heat dissipation. Its capacity will remain 321cc, and is likely to remain at around 42 bhp, although this has not been announced yet.
The previous model’s telescopic forks will be replaced with new 37mm inverted forks, same as the YZF-R3, which both share the same platform. There’s also an extended asymmetric swingarm and a stiffer spring. In addition, a new LCD screen will be easier to read and operate.
The new MT-03 will be available in Europe in December 2019 in Icon Blue, Ice Fluo and Midnight Black. No word yet on when we’re going to see it in Australia.
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KTM will introduce 5 new 490cc Motorcycles
There have been various reports on KTM’s plans to introduce a new parallel twin engine with new capacity 490 cc. The new engine on which KTM is working is expected to become another link in their small and medium series. It will probably produce the full power available in the limited category – 47.6 bhp, and will offer more torque than the 375 cc single engine, which is fitted in the 390 Duke and the RC390. In fact, the new engine is expected to compete head-to-head with the Honda 500 cc parallel twin engine found in the successful CB500 series. Some estimates speak of an even higher power of 60-55 bhp in an unlimited version. The engine will be integrated in the following models:
- 490 Duke
- RC490
- 490 Adventure
- 490 SMC (Supermoto)
- 490 Enduro
There are currently more speculations than confirmations about the new 490 cc models. However, it is clear they will fill the gap between KTM’s 390 cc and 690 cc models.
Stay tuned.
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