Yamaha YZF-R3 on MRF Revz
THE IMPORTANCE OF TYRES cannot be emphasised enough. They’re the only contact the motorcycle and all the power its engine produces have with the road. Traction is what gets you moving, or else there’s just wheel-spin and lack of mobility. Imagine Michael Flatley trying to do what he does best while wearing high-heels and you’ll get the picture.
So the Yamaha YZF-R3. It’s among the most promising, complete bikes there are today. In terms of delivering on dynamics, stability, quality and rider engagement, it does everything pretty much flawlessly. The lack of ABS doesn’t
even seem like a point to make because the brakes are very progressive and reassuring of their abilities as they are. Of course, the asking price does seem quite steep, but for what it’s offering and the kind of tax structure prevalent, there isn’t much of an argument I can make here. Nevertheless, if there was one thing we could change about the R3, it would be the stock MRF Zapper tyres that it comes shod with in India. So we did.
The Zappers came off about a month ago, and were replaced with MRF’s nextrung rubber: the Revz. The 110/70 R 17 front was a direct swap in width and profile, but it’s the 150/60 R 17 rear that’s quite a change. Not only is it lower, but the wider, slightly less rounded profile makes a difference from the moment you nudge it into the first corner you see. The agility quotient has been boosted significantly and the R3 feels nimbler and more sure-footed, both on wet or dry roads.
What is noticeably different is the turnin and flickability. Changes of direction are easier and more precise. There’s less of the high, roll-y feel that was present with the Zappers and that, in itself, is reason enough to rejoice. It feels lower, more agile and planted, and even more ready to attack. The braking action was also much better than what we managed on stock rubber.
The increase in grip and the feel from what is essentially a softer compound is something we would like to see stock. Yes, it is offered with Michelin Pilot Sport rubber in some overseas markets but not here. What next? Another set of tyres from another tyre-maker, of course.