Meet The R3’s New TZ-Inspired Bolt-On Bodywork Kit
Garden Grove, California, United States
Yamaha’s YZF-R3 is a fantastic little sportbike, though it lacks the vintage-inspired aesthetic that’s become so popular across the motorcycle industry over the last half-decade or so. Until now that is…
Yamaha just updated its R3, though most people aren’t aware of the alternative retro-race-inspired bodywork now available for the 321cc runner. Taking notice of the increasingly popular retro-aesthetic craze, the GG Retrofitz company - a Southern California-based design outfit comprised of several graphic and industrial designers — set out to create a complete set of bolt-on bodywork for the entry-level two-wheeler, harkening back to race fairings from the ‘60s and ‘70s, resembling something of a modernized TZ750.
GG RetroFitz Yamaha R3 kit
GG RetroFitz
Like the rest of GG RetroFitz offerings, the kits all start as concept sketches before shifting to a 1:1-scale clay model (which can be viewed on GG RetroFitz’ YouTube channel) that’s hand-carved until the final shape is complete. “Our designs are based on simple forms with timeless appeal to create products with excellent function, aesthetic balance, and long-lasting coolness,” explains the company’s website.
In addition to the tail and fairing, the kit includes a new tank cover
Kit Contents
The kit itself — which was released last month at Deus Ex Machina in Venice, California — is made from fiberglass that’s been precisely measured to ensure each unit perfectly fits onto the little YZF. The kit utilizes the bike’s stock mounting locations, as well as its factory lighting, exhaust, controls, and instrumentation. The entire package is made up of six body pieces — front fairing, belly-pan, side fairings, tail-section (and Zero Gravity windscreen) — and a few support brackets and the like. Because the kit is made from lightweight fiberglass, the new bodywork shaves nearly nine-pounds off the R3’s 368lb (stock) wet weight.
The bodywork that makes up the GG RF kit
The kit does require buyers to tack on a new set of clip-ons in order for everything to fit (GG RF recommends Vortex’ 7 Degree 41mm clip-ons), as well as a new seven-inch circular headlight. GG RF does sell a headlight wiring harness kit to make swapping out the old unit a breeze.
The kit doesn't affect the R3's performance
Installation
No cutting, welding, or fabrication of any type is required to install the kit. All that’s needed is a few basic tools (sockets, allen keys, phillips head, etc) and an hour or two’s time in the garage. Darin Butterfield — who currently designs the liveries for Yamaha’s North American powersport models — was tasked with creating several graphics kits for the retro-inspired R3 bodywork kit. GG RF also offers supplementary aluminum side-covers.
The “GG Palmae” graphics kit
Up Close and Personal
Having seen the kit in person, I can confidently say it looks fantastic. The quality of the material and graphic kit looked spot on, all the pieces lined up perfectly, and I genuinely thought I was looking at a high-end one-off job before Butterfield informed me that it was of the kit variety. The kitted specimen that I examined was also fitted with an aftermarket carbon fiber exhaust that furthered the Japanese scoot’s custom-esque appareance. I couldn’t help but compare the kit to the stellar Yamaha XSR900 build Jeff Palhegyi churned out for the marue’s Yard Built program a couple years back.
A look at the back of an unpainted kitted R3
Pricing and Availability
GG RetroFitz complete kit retails for $1,198, though it’s an extra $298 for the graphics kits. The kit fits all Yamaha YZF-R3 models from model years 2015 through 2018. In addition to the R3, the kit is also compatible with Yamaha’s R25. It’s also probably worth mentioning that, while the kit is admittedly on the steeper side in terms of price, (granted, show me any bolt-on kit that’s cheap…) the R3’s stock bodywork is more valuable than you might think, with used OEM plastics selling on eBay for as much as $500, knocking a considerable portion off the kit’s price. The kit was released about a month ago and is now available for order. GG RF is in the latter stages of releasing a track/race version of the bodywork too.
My favorite of the graphics kits is the retro orange and blue
Why It Matters
Good looking motorcycles are vital to attracting new riders, so offerings like GG RetroFitz new kit are more important than most bikers probably realize. With the stock engine, frame, and running gear left untouched, the new kit allows owners to ride a vintage-style machine without having to deal with the vintage-style reliability and performance (or lack there of).
The GG kit is bound to turn heads anywhere you take it
For more info you can check out the GG RetroFitz website. The company also put together a fun promo video that's worth a quick watch (below).
GG Retrofitz Rocket Street Debut
