Scooter market in India has spiced up when Italian manufacturer Piaggio launched Vespa. Following footprints Yamaha has also launched their first scooter, ‘Ray’, which was showcased earlier this year at the Auto Expo. Yamaha desperately wants to penetrate in to Honda’s market and is leaving no stone unturned for the same. Yamaha launched the Ray scooter earlier this month in Hyderabad with its new brand ambassador Deepika Padukone. Autocar India has got their hands on the scooter and we bring you some key points from their test ride.
- This light weighted 104 kgs scooter has got a sporty look, with a youthful appearance.
- The front resembles the Honda Dio with large headlights and new age mudguards.
- The saddle height has been kept low, keeping in mind the needs of its target audience. Ray offers a comfortable driving posture for average to medium built male riders, but the taller one’s may feel cramped up.
- Instrument cluster is stylish with a big speedometer and fuel gauge.
- The Yamaha Ray offers a good gripping over the accelerator and ergonomic brake levers.
- The Yamaha Ray lacks in rear brake locking clamp, which is much needed in the scooters of this segment as an important safety feature.
- The Yamaha Ray completely stands apart when it comes to storage space. It has got a large underseat storage bay, with a hook for bag near the ignition switch and too add it has got ample small storage compartments for your utilities.
- The pillion’s foot rests are designed ergonomically, to ensure a comfortable ride along with a broad alloy grab bar at the rear.
- The rear design is as impressive as the front with clear lens turn indicators included in the tail light.
- The four-stroke air-cooled engine produces a top power of 7 BHP at 5000 RPM and a peak torque of 8 Nm at 5000 RPM which are pretty decent for 113cc engine. The engine is vibration free and smooth. It has adequate performance for commuting.
- Handling is good with light steering and good stability.
- The telescopic type suspension is used in the front and unit swing at the rear for a comfortable ride experience.
- The brakes are drum type of equal 130mm diameter in front and rear, offering adequate stopping power.
- Quality is very good and all the plastics feel built to last.
- The Yamaha Ray is a comfortable scooter with modern styling, high quality and a reliable engine.
Source – Autocar India
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S Pani September 19, 2012 at 1:44 pm
There seem to no special, stand out features in the Ray at all. All it seems to be going on is its looks, which are not that appealing to me. The Ray feels too front heavy to me in the design front, and the ultra simplistic RVMs also spoil the party considerably.
Similarly, a flashy design has been teamed with a rather simplistic instrument panel, which is also lacking features. There is no side-stand warning and no trip meter. Yamaha dont seem have provided two separate lamps on the panel for the two indicators. Both indicators seem to be sharing space on the instrument panel.
Also the footboard does seam a bit cramped as well, so tall riders may have issues.
arun November 4, 2012 at 8:11 pm
Ray is not at all front heavy.Ride it to feel the manoeuvrability of Ray!!!!!!
Rajan September 19, 2012 at 1:49 pm
MB, Is this article about First Ride Impression or First “Look” impression?
Faisal Khan September 20, 2012 at 1:37 am
Rajan, its a first ride. We have already done the first look ;-)
anwar September 19, 2012 at 2:18 pm
nice scoot, but targeted at ladies, so anyone hoping a sports yaam scooter have to wait longer.
given the pace at which yamaha launch new models. it might take years…..:(
crazy4 September 19, 2012 at 2:45 pm
MB how can u say that Yamaha ray is high quality and a reliable engine. its not on road still.
If u are going through history that not fair. bcoz we have seen Pulsar history there is 1000 times quality improvement in 200 NS but, MB tagged Bajaj Bikes as low quality but 200 NS made everybody mouth wide opened.
naveen September 19, 2012 at 7:19 pm
that mouth will close soon after 2/3 services..!!
Faisal Khan September 19, 2012 at 7:35 pm
Guys, we have said it is good quality and reliable engine based on Autocar India’s review. They have already driven the Ray.
crazy4 September 20, 2012 at 8:49 am
its already 3 service over for many people still pulsar basher r hoping the bike might fail….. its been over 10yrs still they r hoping the same…. hahahahaha
Viky September 20, 2012 at 1:06 pm
Yes I agree, Pulsar 200ns made everybodies mouth open as I saw most of the guys yawning will seeing it :D
Angela September 19, 2012 at 7:52 pm
These are nice looking scooters and I feel like more and more people will start to turn over to buying a scooter over a car, but not for the aesthetic appeal. Gas prices are way too high and filling up a tank of gas for a car vs. a scooter is 10 times more expensive. Scooters will get you from point A to B by only cost a few dollars. But Yamaha is taking the lead in the scooter market by making scooters look better than they used to.
Navaneeth September 19, 2012 at 8:48 pm
Yamaha’s material quality is always impressive…Even honda cant stand with the material quality of Yamaha…Yamaha has a good knowledge on material science as thay have previous experience on creating light weight,yield resistant musical instruments…
Kunalmorle September 20, 2012 at 2:21 am
Nice look yamaha ray
Kunal September 20, 2012 at 2:24 am
Nice look
Viky September 20, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Now After Bikes, It will be interesting to watch OEM competing in Scooter Segment. Only one left out is bajaj who was once a scooter leader “distinctly ahead” and now “scratching its-head” :D
Viky September 20, 2012 at 1:35 pm
Yamaha could have priced it more aggressively as this does not seems to be a unisex scooter like activa. Moreover It’s almost 4K premium over Honda dio and at par with Activa.
Najma October 11, 2012 at 10:59 am
Hey guys i m very confused which1 to buy whether Yamaha/Wego/Mahindra rodio/dio, Pls help me out…..!
AJK October 11, 2012 at 7:03 pm
I test drove the Yamaha Ray. The engine was smooth, nice, vibration free. There was absolutely no vibrations at all any where in rev range. I felt nice acceleration (like a thrust and seamless one and a bit sporty). The engine tone is strong and sporty. I feel it is a viable alternative to Honda Dio and TVS Wego. Sad that Yamaha is branding and positioning it awkwardly. Still I feel that with this kind of sport engine, it will find many takers. The dark shades with black combination is perfect for male commuters while the pinkish shades are great for ladies. Is there anyone else who had test driven one and did the comments above? I am used to Honda Activa for six years and I feel this one can beat it hands down in engine department. Wish it comes with a male specific model (110% bigger RAY)!! Cheers.
Faisal Khan October 12, 2012 at 1:46 am
Ajk, I rode it recently and pretty much agree with you on most parts. Our review is coming up soon ;-)
Tejashree October 22, 2012 at 11:32 am
Me too had a TD of Ray and found it absolutely superb. I took TD of Activa, Dio, Aviator & Swish before getting a TD of RAY. As the TD vehicle was not available in our area for a long time. Finally it was available & after TD, I immediately booked a YAMAHA RAY. Even Dio & Activa are good, but I found RAY much more comfortable for me.
Hopefully, I should get the delivery of my RAY by this Diwali :)
MS Vinaya Ray November 2, 2012 at 2:01 pm
I took Ray on Dasera ,Burgundy Bliss.Too sporty,comfortable riding.Very Cool.I have driven Honda Activa infact I learnt on Activa and I found Ray as good as Activa.I agree with AJK
ANIRUDDHA PATWARDHAN October 23, 2012 at 3:45 pm
I own Fazer and R15 and am of the firm opinion is there is no machine in our country which can beat these in the engine refinement,dynamics and overall quality.Good luck RAY.
Haneef October 23, 2012 at 6:14 pm
Hi MB and Faisal,
I am planning to buy a scooter for my wife. At present she is using Scooty Pep since 2005.
Am very much confused, which one to buy a Scooter.
Whether Yamaha Ray/Access/Swish/Dio/Maestro.., Pls help me out…..!
Regards,
Haneef.
Bangalore.
Faisal Khan October 24, 2012 at 12:01 am
Haneef, get the Yamaha Ray.
Haneef November 29, 2012 at 9:27 pm
Thanks a lot Faisal,
I have booked Yamaha Ray. One question what is the millage?
Planning to take 2013 registration.
Regards,
Haneef.
Faisal Khan December 5, 2012 at 12:06 am
Haneef, you should get 45 km/l comfortably.
sameer October 30, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Hi Faisal,
Is it Unisex Scooter ?
Faisal Khan November 1, 2012 at 1:28 am
Yes Sameer.
Lenin Th November 3, 2012 at 7:32 pm
very nice………
Imphal
Swati November 26, 2012 at 12:46 pm
Hiya…
I got my ray …. after booking of 6days…From Orinos….Itz really cool for comfort ride for crowed Road of Bangalore ….
GOOD millage of 50kmpl…
Real haPPy wid her … ;-)))
sukhwinder singh December 15, 2012 at 4:39 pm
yamaha my jaan power min yamahaaaaaaaa
sukhwinder singh December 15, 2012 at 4:41 pm
yes yes yamaha R15 very hot