It goes without saying that scooters are the backbone of motorcycling. They’re not the fastest or the flashiest machines on the road, but they move more people than almost any other type of two wheeler on the planet. From Rome to Bangkok to Manila, scooters are the vehicles that keep cities flowing.
Twist and go transmissions, step through frames, and excellent fuel economy made them the default choice for commuters decades ago, and that formula hasn’t really changed.
But what has changed is how seriously manufacturers now take the commuter segment. What used to be simple runabouts are turning into surprisingly sophisticated machines. We’ve seen traction control, smartphone connectivity, and even lean sensitive ABS trickle down into scooters. Now Yamaha is pushing things into territory that honestly sounds a little wild.
