Yamaha is Developing New RW Series Models

The trademark filings state that they are intended for use with “motorcycles, motor scooters, mopeds, three-wheeled motorcycles, three-wheeled motor scooters, three-wheeled mopeds and parts and fittings for all the aforesaid goods.” That doesn’t narrow it down very much, as it is the same list of potential uses Yamaha includes for most of its trademark filings for two- and three-wheeled products over the last decade. Still, we can make some educated guesses.

The various displacements obviously indicate a broad range of models in the works. With the exception of one (which we’ll get to in a bit), all of the new names line up with existing R sportbikes and MT naked bikes that Yamaha already offers in various markets. These include an R125 and MT-125, an R25 and MT-25, and an R7 and MT-07, as well as an R15 and MT-15 that share a 155cc Single.

Yamaha already has sportbikes and modern-styled naked bikes across those displacements, with some of them also offered in “neo-retro” styled XSR models. The new RW models will have to go in a different direction to expand Yamaha’s lineup. We can likely rule out cruisers, due to the smaller displacements, as well as adventure bikes, as the Ténéré 700 already exists and is unlikely to be rebranded.

A line of scramblers would be interesting, as Yamaha hasn’t offered one since the SCR950 was discontinued, but the RW designation doesn’t sound like a good fit. Yamaha has never had an RW, but the naming structure does call to mind models from the past like the Yamaha RD, and RZ. While we expect the new models will all be four-strokes, we can’t help but look fondly at some of those classic two-strokes. A modern take on a RD350 or RZ350 might be the direction Yamaha is going.

Speaking of 350s, the RW350 is the one trademarked name that doesn’t line up with a current model. Yamaha does, however, have an R3 and MT-03, powered by a 321cc Inline-Twin. While it’s possible the RW350 will use the same engine as is, the name may indicate a bump in displacement. The current R3 and MT-03 engine has remained at the same 321cc size since it was introduced in 2015, while competitors such as the Kawasaki Ninja and KTM 390 Duke have gotten larger engines in the last year.

We’ve already gotten signs that a new YZF-R3 is coming. Yamaha recently updated certification documents in Australia for the R3, with the only change being a new vehicle identification number example for the 2025 model year, with a different model code than the current R3. A new YZF-R3, and by extension a new MT-03, look very likely for 2025, with a displacement closer to 350cc.

While a new R3 appears imminent, there’s no indication when we might expect to see any of the new RW models. We suspect Yamaha will slowly trickle them out one after another over the next few years.

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