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Post by wheelbender6 on Aug 31, 2014 19:17:58 GMT -5
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Post by rockynv on Aug 31, 2014 19:35:47 GMT -5
Suzuki kinda leapfrogged them with the 200cc Burgman already on showroom floors. Be interesting to see how the two compare.
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Post by wheelbender6 on Sept 1, 2014 10:41:59 GMT -5
I agree that investing in a new 150cc model in the US is a bit curious, with higher speed limits being so prevalent. Most recent new models, like rockynv said, are in the 200cc range, bridging the gap between freeway and surface street scoots. Yamaha is already selling this 155cc model in other parts of the world, so all the R&D has been done. Maybe Yamaha feels that this 155cc engine is strong enough to compete with the 200cc Burgmann, Yaeger, Blur, and the like.  |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Sept 1, 2014 12:02:12 GMT -5
While I finally DID make the jump to a 250 to keep up with traffic, my favorite class of scooter is still the 150 genre. They seem to be a great mix of compact size, fast handling and easy "walking" into tight places. They just "look" right... "like a proper scooter should look..." Only problem is that they usually fall short of that elusive 65mph+ top-speed, limiting them to surface streets.
In choosing my old Kymco 250 Grandvista, I purposely chose a scooter as similar to a Chinese 150 in size, feel and appearance as possible. It's nearly identical to my old Xingyue 150 in most aspects, except 100 pounds heavier, and 20mph faster.
Could be, that is changing with newer engines. My missus' doc rides a fuel-injected 150 Vespa that will top 70mph, and he often sneaks onto the freeway to get from one town to another. I rode a Kymco "People 200" loaner while the dealer changed my tires... It is ACTUALLY only 163cc. It was an older, carbureted GY6 and IT would do 69mph verified by a local cop.
I liked EVERYTHING about my old Xingyue 150, EXCEPT for its lack of top-speed. (And the constant wrenching...) It looks like the Italians, Taiwanese and Japanese makers are now fine-tuning the 150 class for real-life all-round riding. This new Yamaha is one of THE best-looking scooters I've seen yet... It WILL appeal to the "true scooter" rider for sure. And if he or she doesn't need 70mph+ freeway speed, it should sell well! So long as it's AFFORDABLE.
Wheels are a MAJOR factor in the cosmetic appeal of any vehicle, and I give Yamaha a BIG 2-thumbs-up for the automotive-style 5-spoke beauties on this one!
My two-cents worth...
Leo in Texas
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Post by spandi on Sept 1, 2014 15:49:23 GMT -5
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Post by shalomdawg on Sept 1, 2014 16:04:42 GMT -5
howdy, not having seen the final spec's it is only conjecture but i would suspect that the power to weight ratio on this will be about the same as leos' grande vista and may well go 70 mph with ease. it'll be nice to see how it comes out in the wash and if they can keep the price at 3,000 or less.
lotsa miles and smiles to ya
ken
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Post by Paladin on Sept 1, 2014 16:51:18 GMT -5
Honda PCX150 ($3.7K+) and Suzuki Burgman 200 ($5K) are made in Thailand. Yamaha 155 ($??) is made in Taiwan. The Lance Havana Classic 150 ($2.3K) is also made in Taiwan, by SYM. My LX150 ($4.7K) may cost more than the made in Thailand "Japanese" plastic bodied scooters, but was made in Italy and has a steel body. We always have choices, slightly less quality or more money. And, Yeah, I like the five spoke wheels:  |
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Post by rockynv on Sept 2, 2014 3:52:02 GMT -5
Then you had the 326 lb Aprilia 250's selling for $2,999.and riding on 15" wheels with the same engines as the Vespa/Piaggio bikes. People were buying them like there was no tomorrow and they could not keep up with the demand so Piaggio's reaction was to pull from Aprilia all their engines but a 50cc and a 200cc made in China and have them discontinue production of the bike effectively pulling from the market the best value in a daily commuting bike.
A high compression 4 valve fuel injected 250 for less money than a 150 from Yamaha, Honda or Vespa/Piaggio. The few remaining Aprilia Sport City 250's left over new being found in warehouses of defunct dealerships (motorcycle dealerships that got them as part of their Aprilia consignments and would not put them on the showroom floor so they are sitting uncrated with only 1 or 2 miles on them) are still selling for less than the Vespa 150.
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Post by spunn on Sept 3, 2014 14:57:21 GMT -5
I think its a great piece from Yamaha.
Does it compete with the 200 class of Suzi and Honda? Of course it does, there is a reason this is made and has been sold overseas. Yamaha is not the one to lead the industry in new product, besides the fuel injected dirt bikes (That work!), but they produce a product that works good and can last.
Being, I have delt with Yamaha corp USA as a civilian and in the military I can tell you that they prefer to produce a product that is quality and not always cutting edge.
Am I biased to Yamaha, of course, but this also comes with experience riding all competitors products over a time length. Does that mean they are better then everyone else? Nope. Like a car every manufacture will produce a certain amount of turds. Is it the Mercedes of scooters? No, but I can also take mine to any motorcycle repair shop and they can get parts and or fix it.
There is my .02
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Post by Jarlaxle on Sept 4, 2014 13:41:22 GMT -5
I recall that is one horsepower shy of a 244cc Honda Helix...which was highway-capable, at least solo. |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Sept 4, 2014 20:59:27 GMT -5
Definitely has about the same power-to-weight ratio as my old Grand Vista. Hmmm... Pretty sweet, I'd say!
Yamaha makes good stuff. This one should really appeal to the "200" class riders. It should have as good (or better) performance as the Kymco "People 200" or the "Like 200" which are really around 160cc. I rode both, and the CARBURETED "People" noticeably outperformed the FUEL-INJECTED "Like". THAT I cannot figure out... Over 14 ponies is a LOT for a 150 class... Right up there with a Vespa. I LIKE it!
Of course, Palidin's ride is not only all-metal, but... that all-metal comprises a LOT of ALUMINUM in a uni-body, frameless aircraft design. THAT equates to super-rigid handling, AND feather-light weight. Can't beat that Italian design... But this Yamaha is mighty appealing!
Could be my old "Minnie Mouse" will see me on out. If not, it's swell to see these great new rides coming along!
Ride safe!
Leo in Texas
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Post by rockynv on Sept 4, 2014 22:24:47 GMT -5
Leo try the 250 at almost 25 hp and you'll be hooked. Put sliders in and a Ducati tuner on the oxygen sensor and you may find it hard to believe.
Here is what AMA Champ Eric Bostrom had to say about Richard from the Beverly Hills Scooter Club and his Sport City 250:
Latigo Canyon Malibu on a Sport City 250 shooting a video of a Moto Guzzi Brutale and a Yamaha Dual Sport:
Cold Canyon:
Hope these convey why I really like this bike.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Sept 4, 2014 23:30:33 GMT -5
Rockynv, Yeah, I agree! But then I was also hooked on my old Harley chopper with near 300hp... LOL!My "Minnie Mouse" is just short two valves and fuel-injection to go like yours... But she gets around a lot better than my old 150 did... Yup! One day, if I save my pennies, I may have to try one of those Italian jobs. They are SWEET! Keep the shiny side up, and the greasy side down...  Leo |
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Post by rockynv on Sept 5, 2014 11:48:39 GMT -5
Got chased down on my way home from work yesterday this time by a gent on an Goldwing Aspencade that was well kept and just the right shade of red to pull it all together.
First question was the usual "Is that a 750?"
Me: Nope just a 250
Him: Boy that's fast!
Me: The Italians are good at that. Besides look behind you!
Sees black clouds with steel rod lightning bolts shooting about.
Him: Yep we gotta go!
We rode together for a while outrunning the storm and waved off when we parted.
That old Honda sounded nice but you could see he had to work pretty hard to throw it around traffic.
Me I got home dry and a couple of minutes ahead of the Tropical Downpour.
It got very intense for about 30 minutes and set the dog to crying.
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