SoulfulStrut
Well-known member
Hi everyone here,
I just became a proud owner of a Yamaha MT-03!! Here is my story
This summer, I have finally decided to add motorcycling to my long list of hobbies.
Back in my university, I often stared at the pictures of Kawasaki sports bikes pondering what amazing machines they are! But I didn’t know anyone with a motorcycle at the time and there was no way my parents would let me ride a motorcycle, as they consider motorcycling = suicide!
Fast forward X number of years, I am here in Canada. Having tried a number of interesting sports/activities and managed to stick to a few while leading a busy life, this year I finally decided to try it!!!
I embarked on an extensive research (yes, before I was even riding a motorcycle!!!), watching countless Youtube reviews, reading books and browsing online forums… some of the articles on this forum I have read several times. This is a great forum and people send in so many great insights/suggestions/tips. I am very grateful for the postings from many of you!
My true journey started this August: got M1 then M2 after a safety course in October. One thing shocked me is that how heavy a motorcycle is when I first laid my hands on one in the safety course!!! I thought I am fit and reasonably strong but when a 250-lb bike leaned towards one side I couldn’t keep it up at all! (yes, I dropped bikes twice, both at very low speed , walkin’ bike-dropping hall of shame
).
I tried a Honda CBR125, a CG150 Titan and a Suzuki TU250X. I love swerving on a Honda CBR125, felt I was connecting with the bike… I couldn’t help smiling under my helmet; but my wrists/forearms were very sore the following day!!! I like Honda CG150 Titan: the seating position is not as intimidating and I didn’t have to lean on the handlebar. As for Suzuki TU250 I don’t like the handling.... somewhat rigid, a matter of personal preference I guess.
Then I started to look at bikes… I went through many postings/articles about bikes suitable for female beginners. Originally I wanted to buy a Honda Rebel 500, great reviews on them…. After the safety course I lean towards a bike more lightweight; with seating position not as aggressive as a sports bike and yet still nimble and responsive. Standard/naked bike seems a natural choice… Just when I set my mind on Honda CB300R, which looks very much like a CG150 titan, one instructor told me about Yamaha MT-03. Then I started a new round of research about this bike… Yeah, it might not look as good as Honda CB300R, but it is a solid bike with 2 cylinders (I do plan to do more highway than city) and easy-handling for beginners….. overall more value-for-money I guess. Meanwhile I also Iooked at Kawasaki Z400 (ahhhh…. my dream about Kawasaki way back when). Following advice from people, I also went to the showroom and sat on Rebel 500, CB300R, R3, MT-03, GSX250R to get a feel. I decided to stick to MT-03.
Yamaha MT-03 was just released on 2020, so my plan of buying used as many suggested on this forum is not an option. I could hardly find a used one. After getting all the insurance quotes as many suggested here in the forum (the insurance agent said MT-03 is a great choice for insurance!!! ) I bought it new from a dealer close by.
I am so excited and looking forward to riding next season, by spring I probably could memorize the owner manual cover to cover!!! ?
I just became a proud owner of a Yamaha MT-03!! Here is my story
This summer, I have finally decided to add motorcycling to my long list of hobbies.
Back in my university, I often stared at the pictures of Kawasaki sports bikes pondering what amazing machines they are! But I didn’t know anyone with a motorcycle at the time and there was no way my parents would let me ride a motorcycle, as they consider motorcycling = suicide!
Fast forward X number of years, I am here in Canada. Having tried a number of interesting sports/activities and managed to stick to a few while leading a busy life, this year I finally decided to try it!!!
I embarked on an extensive research (yes, before I was even riding a motorcycle!!!), watching countless Youtube reviews, reading books and browsing online forums… some of the articles on this forum I have read several times. This is a great forum and people send in so many great insights/suggestions/tips. I am very grateful for the postings from many of you!
My true journey started this August: got M1 then M2 after a safety course in October. One thing shocked me is that how heavy a motorcycle is when I first laid my hands on one in the safety course!!! I thought I am fit and reasonably strong but when a 250-lb bike leaned towards one side I couldn’t keep it up at all! (yes, I dropped bikes twice, both at very low speed , walkin’ bike-dropping hall of shame
).I tried a Honda CBR125, a CG150 Titan and a Suzuki TU250X. I love swerving on a Honda CBR125, felt I was connecting with the bike… I couldn’t help smiling under my helmet; but my wrists/forearms were very sore the following day!!! I like Honda CG150 Titan: the seating position is not as intimidating and I didn’t have to lean on the handlebar. As for Suzuki TU250 I don’t like the handling.... somewhat rigid, a matter of personal preference I guess.
Then I started to look at bikes… I went through many postings/articles about bikes suitable for female beginners. Originally I wanted to buy a Honda Rebel 500, great reviews on them…. After the safety course I lean towards a bike more lightweight; with seating position not as aggressive as a sports bike and yet still nimble and responsive. Standard/naked bike seems a natural choice… Just when I set my mind on Honda CB300R, which looks very much like a CG150 titan, one instructor told me about Yamaha MT-03. Then I started a new round of research about this bike… Yeah, it might not look as good as Honda CB300R, but it is a solid bike with 2 cylinders (I do plan to do more highway than city) and easy-handling for beginners….. overall more value-for-money I guess. Meanwhile I also Iooked at Kawasaki Z400 (ahhhh…. my dream about Kawasaki way back when). Following advice from people, I also went to the showroom and sat on Rebel 500, CB300R, R3, MT-03, GSX250R to get a feel. I decided to stick to MT-03.
Yamaha MT-03 was just released on 2020, so my plan of buying used as many suggested on this forum is not an option. I could hardly find a used one. After getting all the insurance quotes as many suggested here in the forum (the insurance agent said MT-03 is a great choice for insurance!!! ) I bought it new from a dealer close by.
I am so excited and looking forward to riding next season, by spring I probably could memorize the owner manual cover to cover!!! ?
And will definitely practise and get used to the bike before going on the road!!! "Ride like everyone is trying to kill you." I always assume this even when I am behind the wheel!!
