GST Reform Effect: Yamaha Cuts Prices Of R3 And MT-03 Sportsbikes, Again!
Price tags trimmed again
Walk into a Yamaha showroom today and you will see new price cards on its twin-cylinder pair. The R3 now lists at ₹3.39 lakh ex-showroom, while the MT-03 reads ₹3.29 lakh.
Just two weeks ago both figures were about ₹20,000 higher. The drop is not a dealer discount but a direct outcome of the revised GST rate that came into effect on 22 September 2025.
What changed in the rulebook
The tax reset shifted motorcycles up to 350 cc into the lower 18 percent GST band, down from 28 percent earlier. Anything bigger now attracts a higher rate.
Since both the R3 and MT-03 use a 321 cc parallel-twin motor, they fall on the right side of that cut-off. When October price sheets were circulated, Yamaha’s new numbers showed up almost immediately across dealer networks.
This is the second time this year Yamaha has cut stickers on these bikes. In February, prices were slashed by ₹1.10 lakh each after strong criticism of the launch pricing.
That earlier move brought the R3 down to ₹3.60 lakh and the MT-03 to ₹3.50 lakh. The latest round is purely a pass-through of the GST benefit. For anyone who has been tracking these models since launch, the combined effect is significant.
Same bikes, smaller invoice
Mechanically nothing has changed. Both bikes continue with Yamaha’s 321 cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin producing 41.4 bhp and 29.5 Nm. The set-up includes a telescopic fork, rear monoshock, disc brakes at both ends and dual-channel ABS. Instrumentation is a simple digital LCD. The bikes ride and feel exactly the same as before. Only the ex-showroom numbers on the bill have shifted.
A reduction of around ₹20,000 has practical weight. For many riders eyeing their first twin, that money covers part of insurance, riding gear or simply lowers EMIs enough to clear the family budget hurdle.
It also pulls Yamaha’s twins closer to rivals in the same ballpark, where buyers often compare single-cylinder sport bikes with more features against the smoother, twin-cylinder options.
How riders see them
Long-time R3 owners love the motor’s refinement, the approachable seat height and its ability to handle daily bumps without fuss. It is not overloaded with features but earns a reputation for being easy to live with.
The MT-03 is the same machine without fairing, trading the sport stance for upright ergonomics that many commuters find more natural. It offers better visibility in traffic and less shoulder strain on longer runs.
To summarize it all...
Demand has picked up across showrooms after the GST cut, which may stretch deliveries in some locations. Registration and insurance offices sometimes take a few days to reflect the new ex-showroom rates, so it is best to get a written all-inclusive quote before paying.
The math behind Yamaha’s move is straightforward. The tax rate on sub-350 cc bikes dropped, and Yamaha passed on the full benefit. Together with the earlier price correction this year, the R3 and MT-03 are now more accessible than at launch.
The hardware is the same, the ride feel is the same, but the value equation is tilted slightly more in favour of buyers. For many riders weighing the jump to a twin, that is the push they were waiting for.