Two new models for the new year out of the Yamaha camp. First is a new twist on an old friend… The Zuma! She’ll be available in her traditional, feisty 50cc 2-stroke package and now in her new 125cc 4-stroke configuration (it might make your face hurt).
There are a few design changes to the Zuma as well. She’s got glasses now, or crash bars rather… around the lights and a noticeably restyled front end. If you look around back you’ll see the exposed pipe frame look is new for the Zuma also. I kinda like it. I’ll have to see her in person to make sure of course. Let’s look at how the 125′s specs compare to the traditional Zuma 50cc available in 2008.
| Engine |
2009 Zuma 125 |
2008 Zuma |
| Bore x Stroke | 52.4 x 57.9 mm | 40.0mm x 39.2mm |
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| Carburetion | Electronic Fuel Injection | 14mm Teikei |
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| Clutch Type | Dry centrifugal automatic clutch | Spec Not Available |
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| Compression Ratio | 10:1 | 7.0:1 |
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| Ignition | Spec Not Available | DC CDI |
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| Transmission | V-belt automatic | V-belt automatic |
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| Type | 125cc forced air-cooled 4-stroke single; SOHC, 4-valve | 49cc air-cooled 2-stroke single reed-valve inducted |
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| Chassis |
2009 Zuma 125 |
2008 Zuma |
| Brakes/Front | 220mm disc | 115mm disc |
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| Brakes/Rear | Drum | Drum |
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| Suspension/Front | 27mm telescopic forks | Telescopic fork |
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| Suspension/Rear | Dual shock | Single shock |
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| Tires/Front | 120/70-12 51L | 120/90-10 |
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| Tires/Rear | 130/70-12 56L | 130/90-10 |
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| Dimensions |
2009 Zuma 125 |
2008 Zuma |
| Dry Weight | Spec Not Available | N/A |
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| Fuel Capacity | 1.6 gal | 1.5 gal |
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| Fuel Economy** | 88 MPG | 123 mpg |
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| Height | 43.8 in | 43.7 in |
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| Length | 75.2 in | 74.4 in |
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| Seat Height | 30.7 in | 30.1 in |
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| Wet Weight | N/A | Spec Not Available |
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| Wheelbase | 50.8 in | 50.2 in |
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| Width | 30.1 in | 27.8 in |
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| Other |
2009 Zuma 125 |
2008 Zuma |
| Warranty | 1 Year (Limited Factory Warranty) | 1 Year (Limited Factory Warranty) |
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| MSRP* | $2,999 (Team Yamaha Blue/White) Available from September 2008 $2,999 (Raven) Available from September 2008 $2,999 (Bright Yellow) Available from September 2008 |
$2,149 (Team Yamaha Blue/White) Available from August 2007 $2,149 (Raven) Available from August 2007 |
I have a feeling this 125cc Zuma is going to have some surprises for us on the road; specifically in the speed department. High compression, Injected, 4 valve? Pour her a pint of premium and let’s see how she cuts-a-rug!
So, what other surprises are we in for? How about America’s first SuperSport Scooter? Sure the Burgman out displaces it (650cc vs. 499cc), but she’s always felt like a Cruiser Scoot. I’m itchin’ to put the two on the quarter mile to see if these designations are indeed justified. Here’s the specs:
| MSRP* | $7,999 (Deep Blue) Available from July 2008 $8,099 (Cadmium Yellow) Available from July 2008 |
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| Engine | |
| Type | 499cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke, forwardinclined |
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| Bore x Stroke | 66.0 x 73.0 mm |
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| Compression Ratio | 11:1 |
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| Fuel Delivery | Electronic fuel injection |
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| Clutch Type | Wet, multiple-disc automatic centrifugal |
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| Ignition | Digital TCI |
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| Transmission | CVT double-cog V-belt auto |
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| Final Drive | V-belt |
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| Chassis | |
| Suspension/Front | 43mm telescopic forks |
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| Suspension/Rear | Swingarm |
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| Brakes/Front | 267mm disc |
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| Brakes/Rear | 267mm disc |
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| Tires/Front | 120/70-15 67H Radial |
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| Tires/Rear | 160/60-15 67H Radial |
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| Dimensions | |
| Length | 86.4 in |
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| Width | 30.5 in |
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| Height | 56.9 in |
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| Seat Height | 31.5 in |
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| Wheelbase | 62.2 in |
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| Ground Clearance | 4.9 in |
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| Fuel Capacity | 4.0 gal |
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| Fuel Economy** | 47 mpg |
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| Wet Weight | 489 lb |
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| Other | |
| Warranty | 1 Year (Limited Factory Warranty) |
Wow! Cadmium Yellow? I’m not sure what the street value of Cadmium is, but it’s gotta be worth the $100 upgrade from Deep Blue. Count on us putting this baby on the dance floor around September / October of this year. I hear even sportbike riders won’t be embarrassed of this baby.
11. June 2008 at 12:06 pm
Steve…
Do you believe the MPG ratings for the two Zuma’s? 123 MPG seems really optimistic for the 50cc. Additionally, would you be willing to hazard a guess at the top MPH for the new Zuma 125? Based on my own experience, I’d say 70 MPH could be possible.
11. June 2008 at 1:43 pm
what???? no morphous???? well, i know what my next scooter will be. hopefully they have some 2008s or 2007s left…
11. June 2008 at 2:11 pm
Way to step up! Get yourself a Yamahammer!
11. June 2008 at 2:22 pm
Wow fs8gbe! I can’t believe I didn’t notice that! Looks like it went the way of the Honda Big Ruckus.
I think it could have done a little bit better if more accessories were available, but still doubtful it would be able to achieve the numbers Yamaha needed to sustain her existence here in the USA.
It’s looking like the 250 market has shriveled up. Most buyers seem to be looking at the 125-150cc segment or moving up to the 400cc + segment. They look at the price and say, “well, if I’m gonna spend THAT much ($5300) I might as well spend the extra $800 and get a 400cc Majesty.”
I’m still fond of the 250cc class, but I think it’s going to vanish from our market for a while. Let’s hope the SportCity 250 sticks around ’cause that’s one bad mofo! (from what I’ve seen… I’ve still gotta climb in the saddle to be sure).
11. June 2008 at 3:03 pm
Hey Supersoul!
As for the 123 MPG rating for the Zuma… You know, maybe with some VERY conservative throttling on a stock Zuma it’ll do that estimated 120 MPG. That number seems much more likely on the C3 with it’s carefully controlled fuel injection system. I would love to get a real world test and see. If you ride like most Americans you’ll probably kit it up and wring the devil out of that throttle to bring you down to a more understandable 70-80 mpg.
As for top speed on that Zuma 125. That’s a tough guess. I can’t compare it to any of Yamaha’s other models because it’s a brand new engine for them.
I like the ceramic-composite plated cylinder. If the engine catches on I wouldn’t be surprised to see a 3rd party water cooled head kit that could get it to the 70 mph mark after you install a race crank, hack the ECU, etc.(the speedometer will count up to 90 mph… maybe nitrous could help you get there).
It has some similarities to the Daelim S1 Fi 125 (Injected 124.9cc, 4-valve, 10.8:1 compression). I think it could realistically touch 65 as it stands. I’d love to be proven wrong though.
11. June 2008 at 5:21 pm
As I understand it, the MPG ratings come from the EPA emissions testing. Unlike car MPG ratings designed to simulate a range of driving conditions, motorcycle MPG ratings are simply one of the intermediate variables that used to calculate the final results of the emissions test.
So, they are not very reflective of real world driving, but they are the closest you will get to an officially approved number.
Also, I want that yellow T-Max more than I have ever wanted anything in my entire life.
RR
11. June 2008 at 5:33 pm
Oh YOU KNOW IT!
She’s DAMN seckzy!
11. June 2008 at 9:33 pm
It’s a shame that the 250cc market is drying up. One of my scoots is a Honda Helix and it’s probably the single best urban/suburban scooter I’ve ever owned. The extra 100cc’s allows me to be on an even footing with the cages, whereas my 150cc TGB just doesn’t have enough throttle left at 55 MPH.
12. June 2008 at 2:02 am
The MPG ratings that are commonly used for scooters are often based on a sustaining a fixed speed. I know for the Honda Ruckus, the claimed 80km/litre (180mpg) is based on sustaining 30km/hr (20mph).
I did a bit of research on Yamaha’s claims for the C3 when I came out and it too was based on a fixed speed cruising…I think it was 45km/hr (30mph). IMO, that’s pretty misleading because nobody cruises at these speeds. 50cc scoots are WOT all the time.
12. June 2008 at 2:06 am
I like 250cc’s too. They fill the exact same need as a 125-150cc scoot but they do it without the frustration up hills and on windy days. IMO, either you buy a small scooter for riding around town (50cc-80cc) or you buy a scoot big enough to ride on any road. For the later, a 125cc barely cuts it. I have a Honda CBR125 (not sold in USA) and it does 70mph but it makes several more ponies than the Zuma 125 plus it’s more aerodynamic etc. I can see the Zuma 125 doing 55-60mph….barely enough for highway riding. Even my CBR is down to 55-60mph if it’s usually windy out.
12. June 2008 at 3:34 am
As much as I love my Morphous- and she is a beautiful, Sleek Black Beauty and its 250cc power, if I can find a wrecked Majesty to cannabalize, I may try to fit its 400cc engine under my panels this coming winter.
Just because I like tinkering… Its the hot rodder in me!
If you’re planning to buy a Morphous, don’t wait, get one now! You won’t be sorry.
12. June 2008 at 1:03 pm
The problem with 250cc scoots is the price range. The Morphous retailed for only $600 less than the Majesty — $5299 vs. $5899. If you’re looking for a highway-capable scooter, the Morphous is not really offering a competitive deal, unless you’re a short person who needs the low seat.
Now if the Morphous retailed for $4499 like the People S 250, then folks would see it as a viable alternative. You gotta differentiate those markets.
12. June 2008 at 3:33 pm
@ RickRussellTX:
You’re right about the pricing of the 250cc scooters. I never would have paid $5299 MSRP for my new leftover 2006 Helix. I was really lucky to score it for $3800 a couple of months ago when Honda was clearing their US warehouse. Riding that Helix is the most fun I’ve ever had with my clothes on!
12. June 2008 at 6:32 pm
DAMN! You gone and done it!
You made me miss Uhura.
http://thescooterscoop.blogspot.com/2006/08/steve-leaves-land-of-4-stroke.html
I’ll probably be bummed for the rest of the day… or at least until the A.D.D. moves me on to something else.
12. June 2008 at 10:41 pm
Is this the T-Max? If so then it’s about time! SAVE THE 250′s (sorry, tourette’s again!)
20. July 2008 at 7:28 pm
I am thinking about buying a 125 zuma just to commute does anyone know when it actually comes out I am from new york
3. September 2008 at 10:28 pm
Its great that people are really paying attention to. I guess more and more people will be riding bikes, less pollution and more space!
http://www.mpg-ratings.com