KIWI RIDER 10 2019 VOL2 | Page 105

YAMAHA SHOWS MAJOR UPDATE TO YAMAHA MT-03 FOR 2020 T he baby of Yamaha’s Monster Torque family is getting a big update for the coming year’s model, with the YZF-R3-derived MT-03 getting a fresh new look and more for 2020. After first making its debut in 2016 (the previous MT-03 was a very different beast entirely) the MT-03 has received only minor updates until now. That all changes for the 2020 model year bike, however, with the introduction of a new dash unit, LED lighting and a fully revised design. Taking design inspiration from the bigger MT-09, the MT-03 retains the signature “mass forward” design of the MT range while updating the design with an aggressive new face featuring what Yamaha calls “dual slant-eye position lights” which emphasise the predatory looks and underline MT- series DNA of the 2020 bike. 103 KIWI RIDER Moving away from the conventional headlight, Yamaha says the small but powerful LED headlight is positioned centrally and inconspicuously beneath the front cowl assembly. This keeps the attention on the new position light arrangement while also projecting a brilliant beam of light to maximise night-time vision. The LED lighting options don’t stop there, with slim and light new LED indicators complementing the new headlight arrangement. One of the most significant technical upgrades to the new MT-03 is the high-spec 37mm USD fork which Yamaha says delivers enhanced handling performance during braking, acceleration and cornering. Featuring gold-coloured outer tubes these new forks – together with the aggressive new front cowl and dual position lights – help to KIWI RIDER 103