Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid

The Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid is a sporty, nimble, and lightweight scooter designed to cater to young riders or beginners who are seeking practicality with a dash of fun. With its aggressive styling, 125cc engine, and hybrid assist system to improve fuel efficiency, it surely seems like an interesting option to consider. I did get to spend a couple of months with the top-spec variant of the scooter to bring you a detailed review on how it performs in different conditions.

Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid: Design

The RayZR 125 Hybrid has a loud, sporty design. It gets a sharp, angular front apron with integrated LED headlamps and a Y-shaped DRL on top, a bold side profile with contrasting graphics, and a compact tail section. The lightweight body, aerodynamic styling, and aggressive lines give it good road presence, but I feel like it is a design that might not be to everyone's taste. It seems to appeal to the youth, but riders with more mature tastes might not be too fond of it. I think it is a good blend of funky and sporty styling.

Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid: Colours

The scooter is available in five colour schemes including Cyan Blue, Matte Red, Metallic Black, Racing Blue, and Dark Matte Blue. The (Street Rally) model which gets hand-guards, block-pattern tyres, and more detailed graphics is available in three colour schemes including Ice Fluo Vermillion, Cyber Green, and Matte Black. 

Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid: Build Quality

As expected from Yamaha, the fit-and-finish levels are great and it feels like a premium scooter. There were no visible panel gaps and the quality of plastic felt durable.

Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid: Convenience Features

One of the main highlights of the RayZR is the Smart Motor Generator (SMG)-based hybrid system. It provides torque assist during acceleration, making launches smoother and overtakes more efficient. Other features include a fully digital instrument cluster (with Bluetooth connectivity in the top-variant), silent start, and an automatic start/stop function. 

The scooter misses out on turn-by-turn navigation, a feature now becoming more popular and offered by many, so that would be a nice addition in future updates. I, personally, use a scooter for short commutes and always know the location I will be heading to, so it was never an issue for me, but it is offered by competitors and riders would appreciate the convenience. 

Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid: Safety Features

The top-spec variant of the scooter gets a front disc brake with a unified braking system (UBS), and side-stand engine cut-off, to contribute to rider safety. While there’s no ABS, the braking is acceptable for typical scooter use. Additionally, the LED headlamp offers decent nighttime visibility, adding another layer of functional safety.

Storage and Practicality (3.5/5)

Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid: Underseat Storage

With 21 litres of underseat storage, the RayZR offers ample space for a half-face helmet or a daily backpack. However, a full-face helmet will not fit so that is something riders will have to consider.There’s also a provision for a USB charging socket, which is offered as an optional accessory. It would be nice if it was offered as standard as that has become a basic feature in the segment.

Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid: Floorboard Space

The floorboard is decently spacious, and allows riders to carry a bag or daily groceries comfortably. Taller riders may find the legroom slightly tight due to the handlebar, but for average-sized riders, it's adequate.

Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid: Rider Comfort

The seat height of 785mm is approachable for most riders, and the upright riding posture is ideal for city commuting. The seat padding is average but comfortable enough for short rides. With its lightweight, it is very easily manageable to move in and out of tight parking spaces.

Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid: Pillion Comfort

Pillion comfort is decent, with the seat slightly raised towards the rear and a wide grab rail. The seat has adequate space for two full-sized adults and this works well for short city commutes. Over longer distances, it is not the most pillion-friendly scooter in this class.

Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid: Engine 

The scooter makes use of a 125-cc, fuel-injected engine putting out 8.2PS at 6,500 rpm and a peak torque of 10.3Nm at 5,000 rpm. The SMG eliminates the use of an electric starter and, in turn, provides a quiet engine start as well as an automatic stop/start system. The latter is activated a few seconds after the bike remains at a standstill with the throttle released completely. The scooters can be restarted simply by twisting the throttle.

Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid: City Performance

In city conditions, the RayZR accelerates quickly from standstill thanks to the hybrid assist. The throttle response is crisp and it feels very refined. It is easy to maneuver through traffic due to its light kerb weight and feels nimble, and responsive, making it ideal for stop-and-go riding conditions. The hybrid assist kicks in immediately when the throttle is opened. About three seconds after moving from a standstill or the engine exceeding the prescribed rpm level, the hybrid assist function gets cancelled. An indicator light in the instrument cluster informs the rider about when the power assist is in operation. Additionally, making quick overtakes feels effortless on the RayZR. 

Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid: Highway Performance

While the RayZR can reach speeds of 90kmph, it isn’t really designed for highway riding. The lightweight frame and limited top-end performance make it better suited for short bursts rather than high-speed touring. 

Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid: Mileage

Thanks to the hybrid system, the scooter returned a fuel efficiency of 71kmpl in our tests, which is quite impressive for the 125cc scooter segment.  With a fuel tank capacity of 5.2 litres, riders can expect to get a range of around 350km on a full tank of fuel.

Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid: Handling

Thanks to its really light kerb weight (99kg) and compact dimensions, the RayZR handles city traffic like a breeze. It’s quick to change direction and feels planted in corners, giving a rider good confidence. Because of the suspension setup tuned to be on the stiffer side, it handles cornering really well and the tyres offer good grip when the roads are dry.

Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid: Brakes

The front disc is combined with a Unified Braking System. This gave me ample confidence for everyday riding conditions. The braking feel was progressive, and while it did not feel the sharpest, it felt predictable and safe.

Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid: Ride Quality

The ride quality is on the firmer so it does have sporty handling but not the plushest ride quality. While it absorbs small bumps and undulations well, very rough roads and deep potholes can unsettle the scooter. The rear suspension feels stiff with a solo rider, though it improves with a pillion on board. It is well-suited to smooth urban roads but less forgiving over broken surfaces.

Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid: Verdict

The Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid is a sharp-looking, lightweight, and efficient scooter making it a great choice for young riders. Features like the hybrid assist, sporty design, nimble handling capabilities, and good fuel efficiency make it worth considering. I think it could improve in some small areas, but it surely strikes a good balance between practicality, style and sportiness. Additionally, it is a Yamaha and they are known to be very reliable and long-lasting.

Competition Check

Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid: Competition

The RayZR 125 goes up against rivals like the TVS Ntorq 125, Hero Xoom 125, and Suzuki Avenis 125. While it might not be the most powerful or featurte packed, the RayZR wins in terms of fuel efficiency and weight.  

Price Analysis

Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid: Price 

The RayZR is priced between Rs 79,340 and Rs 87,430, and the Street Rally variant is priced at Rs 92,970 (all ex-showroom prices). Here is a detailed breakdown of the pricing of all of the variants and colour schemes on offer: