•Report: Yuichi Oya •photo: Makoto Tobisawa

YAMAHA MT-25 & MT-03

The naked version of the YZF-R25/R3, MT-25/MT-03, will be brought to the Japanese market in this October at last! While sharing basic components like the engine or frame, it will be converted into a more dynamic style suitable for the MT series. 250cc naked bikes are hot right now!

The youngest brother of the MT series is well-balanced!

The MT-25/03 went on sale as the youngest brother of the MT series, following the MT-09 and MT-07. Now this time, we’ve conducted a test drive of the Japanese leading model, MT-25. While sharing the same engine and platform with the YZF-R25/R3, it has been made into a more dynamic style based on its concept, “Cheetah of the Big City.” Its competitors are bikes like KAWASAKI, Z250, HONDA CB250F, or KTM 250 DUKE, and their prices are all alike.

Begin with the engine!

The water-cooled parallel twin engine which generates 36ps, same as the YZF-R25, can be easily handled from low rotation range and starts the bike in a smooth manner. It becomes vigorous after 7000rpm, and you may feel it rather mild up till then. Still it is powerful enough to travel around the street area. The throttle on/off reaction is impressive and the operation of the clutch or gear levers are light. It is an engine recommended for beginners.

Next comes the steering!

Steering is also beginner-friendly. You can easily keep it upright even at super-slow speed right after you start the engine. In other words, it doesn’t become wobbly even at the speed of walking. And yet, it will smoothly bank its body and turns the steering handle whenever the rider intends to make a turn.
This behavior is almost stable, from sharp turns at intersections to slow curves on express highways. It thoroughly eliminates your fear that you might fail to negotiate a curve.
On the other hand, it features an enjoyable factor for experts also. For example, the driver can raise its turning ability if he aggressively changes his driving posture.

The brake system demonstrates enough power to halt its machine and body, and the controllability is good. They probably took off the lever adjuster to cut costs, but I didn’t feel the need of adjustment this time.

Not adopting ABS is unfortunate. Expect to see them next year.

Speaking about the brake, this MT-25 doesn’t even have an ABS option, whereas its competitors like Z250 or 250DUKE standardly equip one. Though MT-25 is cheaper than these two models by 30,000 yen, I think that they should rather adopt an ABS for the entry level users rather than lowering the bike’s price. Also, I’m concerned about the small vibration feel transmitted to the handlebar. Maybe thanks to its meter visor or tank figure, a high speed travelling is not that tough as the wind pressure gets moderately relieved. Yet when it comes to driving like about an hour or so, your hands will become to feel numb. The number of rotation at top 6-speed (100km/h) is about 7200rpm. Though the vibration itself isn’t that rough, you might as well try using vibration proof type gloves if you like long distance riding and would like to get rid of those small vibration.

It has a floating disc brake with a unilateral 2 piston caliper to its front, and a solid disc brake with a single piston caliper to its rear. It doesn’t have an ABS option. The preload of the rear shock absorber can be adjusted by using the hook wrench of the on-vehicle tool.

Conclusion. Has plenty of competition. Rely on your instincts to make decisions!

It doesn’t have as much tastefulness or sporty feeling as its brother model MT-09 or MT-07. You may have trouble choosing your bike, for there are lots of competitors in this class. You need to rely on your instincts after all!

* Height: 174cm * Weight: 61kg
Compared with the YZF-R25, the handlebar grip position is made 29mm higher and 19mm closer to the driver. This made the forward bending angle of my upper body more gentle. The seat height (780mm) is the same as YZF-R25, and my feet touched the ground without trouble. The knee grip feeling was good, too.

I felt the power difference of the MT-03 from the time I engaged its clutch. It moves briskly than MT-25 even at a low rotation range. It standardly equips Michelin tires, which contribute much to this high stability.	It mounts a water-cooled parallel 2-cylinder DOHC 4-valve engine, and the displacement of MT-25 is 249cc. Though the model number is smaller, the displacement of MT-03 is 320cc. The stroke measurements (44.1mm) are common, and the bore diameter variance makes the difference between the two. The primary/secondary reduction ratio of MT-25 and MT-03 are the same, and their final gear ratio are different. All of these values are the same as that of YZF-R25/R3. In fact, they have the same maximum output, maximum torque, or all-black painting.
It has a LED clearance lamp on top of its headlight. The meter visor is designed in motif of the MT series logo mark.	Maybe it’s because the YZF-R25 used to have an clip-on handles, the fork tube height is a little high. It has rubber mounts for the handlebar clamp.
Like YZF-R25, it has an inner type fuel tank that comes with a resin cover. It has taken into account the turning angle of the handlebar.	It has the same stylish silencer with a triangle cross-section as YZF-R25. This three-stage expansion exhaust pursues good sound while taking the environmental performance into consideration.
The tail cowl looks a lot like YZF-R25, yet this MT series have a side split type grab rail.	The tail lamp has a LED bulb, which is highly visible even during daytime. All blinkers have clear lens and yellow bulbs.
The passenger seat is detachable using the lock key.	The on-vehicle tool is as shown. It’s unfortunate that it doesn’t come with a wrench that corresponds to the screw of the mirror bracket.
The meter panel is the same as that of YZF-R25. The red zone is from 14,000 rpm, and it also incorporates the gear positon indication, the fuel gauge, and the water temperature gauge.

See YAMAHA Moto Index Page
See Accessories for YAMAHA MT-25
See Accessories for YAMAHA MT-03