Yamaha RayZR 125 Hybrid Review: Likes And Dislikes

Has the micro-hybrid tech upped the RayZR 125’s sportiness?

Scooters have come a long way from being a mundane mode of commute. Instead of simply taking you from point A to point B, these are evolving to offer a more engaging ride without compromising on practicality. The Yamaha RayZR 125 started off as a 110cc scooter and was equipped with a 125cc engine in its BS6 guise. Now, the Japanese bike maker has given this sporty scooter a micro-hybrid system, similar to the Yamaha Fascino 125 Hybrid.

We tested the sporty Yamaha, and here’s what we liked and disliked:

LIKES

A great city slicker
The Yamaha RayZR 125 Hybrid is the lightest scooter in its class, tipping the scales at just 98kg. Thanks to this, managing it in city traffic is a cakewalk. Adding to that is the advantage of the new micro-hybrid system that gives a slight boost to its engine via the starter motor generator. This boost isn’t felt at low speeds, but it has improved the mid-range grunt of the scooter, making overtakes easier.

The micro-hybrid system hasn’t just improved the roll-on acceleration but has also made the scooter a lot more fuel-efficient. Compared to the RayZR Street Rally BS6 we tested, the fuel efficiency within the city has gone up by 5kmpl, taking it over 70kmpl. That’s not all. The new RayZR turned out to be more efficient in city conditions than even the Fascino Hybrid, which was the most fuel-efficient 125cc scooter we had tested thus far.

Build Quality And Features
The overall fit and finish of the scooter is way better than what Yamaha offered a few years ago. There’s no noticeable inconsistency in panel gaps, the paint quality is premium, and so is the switchgear. Yamaha has also equipped the scooter with an LED headlight as part of the update and upgraded the digital instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity via the Yamaha Motorcycle Connect X app.

Brakes
The Yamaha RayZR 125 Hybrid’s brakes offer decent bite and progression, and even under hard braking, there isn’t much drama. In fact, in our braking test, the scooter’s stopping distance was better than most 125cc BS6 scooters we tested, except for the TVS NTorq 125 Race XP. While the braking itself isn’t an issue, we would have preferred more feedback from the lever.

DISLIKES

Styling
The Yamaha RayZR 125 is undoubtedly a head-turner, especially in the Racing Blue shade that we tested. But there are some over-the-top elements like the big faux air vents and the Y-shaped LED DRL. Another grouse is that the busy design leaves little space to carry anything big on the floorboard. In fact, the scooter scored low in our mega 125cc scooter comparo in terms of floorboard space.

Performance
The hybrid system has improved the roll-on acceleration and fuel economy. However, in our acceleration tests, the scooter turned out to be a tad slower than the BS6 variant we tested. Now, with TVS NTorq 125 stepping up the game with the Race XP edition, the RayZR Hybrid’s performance was a bit of a letdown.

Storage
In our mega 125cc scooter comparo, the Yamaha RayZR 125’s 21-litre underseat storage ranked second from the bottom, and in the Hybrid’s case, it only gets worse. Yamaha has simply tacked on the hybrid system’s control unit in the underseat storage bin. This not only compromises on space, but you’ll have to be wary about what you keep inside, lest you damage the module.

Limited Features With The Bluetooth Connectivity
While Bluetooth connectivity is a welcome addition, the scooter gets the ConnectX app, which offers limited features. You only get things like a remote hazard switch, answer-back function, and the riding history. Meanwhile, its competition has gone all out, offering turn-by-turn navigation and call/SMS alerts.

VERDICT

Yamaha has tried to strike a balance between sportiness and practicality. The scooter is lightweight, easily whizzes past traffic, and will be light on the pockets too (thanks to the frugal micro-hybrid engine). But if you seek practicality, the Suzuki Access 125 presents a stronger case. On the other hand, if you prioritise performance, there is no match for the TVS NTorq 125 yet.

But if you want the best of both worlds, go for the RayZR 125 Hybrid.