Over at Iconic we have an interesting take on Yamaha’s entry-level (at least in the US) sportbike, the R3. I actually bought this because Iconic is starting a rental fleet at our new location in Rhode Island but it turns out that the tail section has made it too small for Adam and I to comfortably fit on even when still, let alone while riding. So we’re going to try and find it a new home…and I’ve already replaced it with a Husqvarna Vitpilen 701, but that’s a story for later.
I originally found this on Facebook Marketplace but through the small world of motorcycles I learned that it was being sold by a friend of a friend so I bought it sight unseen.
The bike itself is in great shape but I do regret not trying to sit on it first, haha. Let’s just say it provides a very snug fit between what Kate McKinnon would call her “coot coot and prune shoot”:
…anyway, this example (VIN: MH3RH06Y0FK008949) could be a cool small bike for someone much thinner than me as the modifications are pretty sweet: a GG Retrofitz tank cover/full fairing with an aftermarket (presumably AirTech) TZ500 tail section, Akrapovic exhaust, Brembo RCS15 radial master cylinder, Brembo radial 4-pot front caliper, Brembo rear caliper, YSS shock, Traxxion Dynamics fork spring kit, vinyl wrap to emulate Yamaha’s speedblock days, and more. It has 6,402 miles, 1,500 of which have been put on since the above work was done about 3 years ago.
As I noted in my comparison between a YZF-R3 and a Ninja 400, I do think the Ninja is a better bike. But I like that this R3 is different – maybe you will, too.
Find this custom Yamaha R3 for sale in Santa Monica, California with bidding up to $3,000 and the reserve not yet met here on Iconic Motorbike Auctions.
Disclosure: Bike-urious is a partner in Iconic Motorbikes.