Yamaha’s had a busy spring.
First, they released the Bolt cruisers. Then they unveiled the FZ-09 naked bike. Now, they’re taking the wraps off a new scooter, the Zuma X.
The Zuma X is built around Yamaha’s long-running BW’s50 platform (which changed to a four-stroke motor in 2012, instead of a two-stroke), but with sportier styling.
It has a single front headlight, instead of the dual lamps usually found on the Zuma series. There’s 23 litres of locking under-seat storage, a 26 mm front fork with 58 mm of travel, and a 4.5-litre gas tank. The scooter slows down with a 180-mm disc brake in front and a drum brake in rear.
Perhaps the scooter’s most impressive feature is a bold fuel economy claim – according to Yamaha’s web site, the machine can get 55 km/litre, or 158 mpg (Imperial).
MSRP for the new Zuma X is $2,899.
The Zuma hasn’t been worth its weight in cow pies since it switched to the 4 stroke engine.
Under powered, over complicated, lame.
Its an insult to the earlier Zumas that were sports scooters with their powerful simple 50cc 2 stroke engines.
Looks like the headlight they use on Asian market Zuma’s (and Zuma 125’s) + white accents. I like it better than the regular Zuma.
With all the electric bikes running around,and even motorized bicycles with no insurance and plates . Why would someone buy something like this? as soon as you put the Insurance on it , that would KILL the economic side of things!
There’s no doubt in my mind that insurance is making a huge dent in scooter sales. It’s the main reason I don’t have a step-through myself. They’re super-cheap to buy, but why pay $250 for insurance on a machine I might ride ten times a year?
I used to have a old Elite 150 that was a blast. When the insurance got to the point it cost more than I paid for the scooter I sold it. I know a friend that is currently paying about $600 a year (new rider / clean record / older) for insurance on a 125cc scooter.
I’m paying about $170 a year for insurance for my scooter (The Co-operators); I ride it every day to work. There’s no doubt in my mind this is WAY better than an electric scooter (which is really an electric bicycle masquerading as a scooter).
In your case, Jim, that makes sense. But for someone to buy one to mess around on, it’s just ridiculous.