By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
CFMOTO 450SR (MY2023) vs Yamaha YZF-R3 (B7P)
CFMOTO 450SR vs Yamaha YZF-R3: which one to buy for the riding you do.
You'll feel the CFMOTO 450SR's twin pull from the middle revs the instant you crack the throttle, with a gruff bark that eggs you on. On the same twist, the Yamaha YZF-R3 doesn't give much down low and wants its gearbox worked. Up high, it spins smoothly and keeps climbing.
So which one do you buy?
The 450SR has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Slight edge: 450SR
Back-road fun leans slightly toward the 450SR. What tips it: stronger brakes. It's a narrow call, so trust your test ride.
The YZF-R3 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Edges it: YZF-R3
On the way to work, the YZF-R3 asks a little less of you. It's down to lower running costs and a smaller footprint. Close enough that the test ride should settle it.
Keeping running costs low
Small edge: YZF-R3
The YZF-R3 comes out a little ahead on upkeep. Only a little.
What makes each one tick
450SR
The 450SR goes hunting for corners and folds into each bend eagerly, then won't let go of its line. A bump mid-corner doesn't throw it wide, since the upside-down fork and stiff frame keep the chassis settled. There's usable drive across a wide spread of rpm, strongest in the meat of the range. The exhaust growls on every exit.
YZF-R3
The YZF-R3's chassis carries the bike, with its weight split almost evenly between the wheels. The front brake lever is soft, with a weak first bite that's adequate on the street and short of what a hard pace asks. At corner entry the front end tucks in on a predictable arc, and the bike stays settled once it's leaned over. The suspension keeps up at pace.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The YZF-R3 has the lower seat: 30.7 in (780 mm) vs 31.3 in (795 mm).
- The 450SR makes more peak power: 46 hp (34 kW) vs 42 hp (31 kW).
- The 450SR makes more peak torque: 30 lb-ft (40 Nm) vs 22 lb-ft (30 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Wrong job for both
Big miles aren't where either one shines. You'll be watching for the next rest stop.
Don't look for a gap on track days: there isn't one. Go by how each one fits you.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
450SR
What owners say
Strengths
- Agile and confidence‑inspiring handling
- Charismatic, responsive engine
YZF-R3
What owners say
Strengths
- Smooth parallel-twin engine character
- A2-licence friendly out-of-the-box
Trade-offs
- Soft / under-spec front brake
- Power lives at the top of the rev range
- Minimal wind protection at speed
- No slipper clutch as stock
Known problems to check before you buy
450SR
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
YZF-R3
- Rear reflector lens fails to meet FMVSS reflectivity standard Recall 21V048000 Mold contamination during reflector manufacturing produced lenses with reflective properties below the US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. Reduced rear-visibility in low-light/night conditions.
- Federal certification label VIN may not match stamped frame VIN Recall 21V048000 The VIN reproduced on the FMVSS-567 certification label may differ from the VIN stamped on the frame, due to assembly-line workers verifying only the last digits during application. The frame VIN itself is correct. NHTSA explicitly classified this as no safety risk; impact is on future recall lookup, registration documents, and ownership transfer.
What they share
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Fuel capacity
- 3.7 US gal (14 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 110/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 450SR | YZF-R3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.3 in (795 mm) | 30.7 in (780 mm) |
| Wet weight | 373 lb (169 kg) | 368 lb (167 kg) |
| 450SR | YZF-R3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 450 cc | 321 cc |
| Power | 46 hp (34 kW) | 42 hp (31 kW) |
| Peak power at | 9,500 rpm | 10,750 rpm |
| Torque | 30 lb-ft (40 Nm) | 22 lb-ft (30 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 7,750 rpm | 9,000 rpm |
| Top speed | 118 mph (190 km/h) | 115 mph (185 km/h) |
| 450SR | YZF-R3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 52 mpg (US) / 4.5 L/100 km | 56 mpg (US) / 4.2 L/100 km |
| 450SR | YZF-R3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 320 mm | 298 mm |
| Rear tire | 150/60-17 | 140/70-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 450SR | YZF-R3 | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Standard | Option |
| Slipper Clutch | Standard | Not offered |
| TFT Display | Standard | Not offered |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
