Junior Cup Yamaha R3 competitors 

The new balancing strategy for the 2019 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship will allow the use of a Yamaha YZF-R3 GYTR kit. Yamaha has tested and submitted this engine kit that has been approved by the FIM. The kit includes pistons, camshafts, air funnels, gaskets and build specifications. These kits will be sold to licensed road racers only with priority given to MotoAmerica Junior Cup competitors. Kits will be available in limited supply, pricing and availability will be released shortly. For pre-orders contact Tom Halverson [email protected]. 

Further Junior Cup balancing updates will be released in Technical Bulletin 08-2018 

Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Editorial Notes: 

This new Yamaha YZF-R3 engine kit is the same kit that is being approved for use in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship, according to MotoAmerica Technical Director James Morse.

The goal is to avoid having to put as many restrictions, especially rpm restrictions, on the Kawasaki Ninja 400 and KTM RC 390 R as were required to balance performance in FIM Supersport 300 and MotoAmerica Junior Cup in 2018.

The engine kit was developed by Yamaha Motor Company in Japan with the goal of making the YZF-R3 produce approximately 49 horsepower at the rear wheel.

The kit does not change the displacement of the YZF-R3 engine, but the kit pistons raise compression and have anti-friction coating on the skirts. Installation of the kit should essentially be a “drop-in” operation.

The price of the kit has not been finalized, but it is expected to cost between 800-1,000 Euros, or $914-$1,142 U.S. Dollars by today’s exchange rates.