Yamaha Ray ZR 125

The Yamaha Ray ZR 125 Fi Hybrid is a 125cc sporty scooter from the Japanese manufacturer, The Ray ZR 125 Fi Hybrid stands out because of its unique design. It is also the lightest 125cc scooter in India along with the Yamaha Fascino 125, at 99kg (kerb). The scooter also gets a unique mild-hybrid technology aimed at enhancing the mileage. Let’s find out how it performs in the real world:

The Ray ZR's design is bold and a bit different from what we have seen on other scooters. The handlebar cowl is sleek and is accompanied by an angular flyscreen with a Y-shaped DRL. The sporty-looking headlight is surrounded on either side by muscular false air intakes, and there are angular elements on the side panels too. The Street Rally variant, as its name suggests, comes with hand guards, brushed metal finishes on the sides of the apron and on the side panel, and block-pattern tyres, all of which give it a rugged look. 

The Ray ZR 125 Fi Hybrid is powered by a 125cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine with hybrid power assist that produces 8.2PS at 6500rpm and 10.3Nm at 5000rpm, paired with a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). The engine is E20 compatible and can run on a 20 percent ethanol and 80 percent petrol mix.

The Ray ZR has a 5.2-litre fuel tank and delivered a real-world tested mileage of 66.23kmpl in the city and 56.28kmpl on the highway, thanks to its idle start-stop system which cuts the power of the engine when idling for some time. A slight throttle input is all it takes to bring the engine back to life. The mild hybrid tech also gives the scooter a small jolt of acceleration at low speeds via the motor generator (that also acts as a silent starter), enhancing initial pickup.

The Yamaha Ray ZR 125 Fi Hybrid delivers a strong bottom and mid-range performance, it may not be the fastest scooter in the segment but is still a quick one thanks to its low weight. Ranking below the Suzuki Access 125, the Ray ZR is nearly a second faster than the TVS NTorq 125 in the 0-60kmph acceleration comparison, and 1.5 seconds faster in the 0-80kmph run, after which it feels a little sluggish.

The Yamaha Ray ZR 125 Fi Hybrid is a sporty scooter, which can be seen in the way it handles. The ultra-light frame provides you with enough confidence and feedback while riding. The RayZR’s lightness helps with agility around the corners while the large 12-inch wheels and long wheelbase ensure the scooter's stability. The block-pattern tyres are quite grippy in dry or slightly damp riding conditions.

The Ray ZR gets two variants, the drum variant has drum brakes on both ends while the disc variant gets a front disc and a rear drum brake. It features a combined braking system (CBS) which distributes the braking force efficiently on both ends delivering a good bite and stopping power. The lever offers good feedback, and the scooter maintains stability without any jitteriness, even under hard braking.

The Yamaha Ray ZR 125 Fi Hybrid offers a well-cushioned seat, it provides a comfortable and relaxed riding posture. The seat is a little slanted and it slightly pushes you to the front every time you brake, making it a hassle to get back to a normal riding position. The scooter’s suspension is set up for a plush ride, though there is a bit of stiffness felt from the fork, while the monoshock is on the softer side. As a result, the Ray ZR can handle potholes decently, but may sometimes feel unstable on larger speed breakers/bumps. Despite this, the scooter quickly settles down and regains its composure.

The 125cc scooter caters to a diverse range of rider heights. Even shorter riders won’t feel any difficulty in placing both feet on the ground, thanks to its manageable 785mm seat height. Moreover, taller riders will appreciate the higher handlebar. Our only concern lies with the somewhat limited floorboard space which, compared to other scooters in this segment, feels a bit cramped.

The Ray ZR drum variant is equipped with a halogen headlight, whereas the disc and Street Rally variants get an LED headlight. The scooter gets 'Y' shaped LED daytime running lights (DRLs) on all variants. The drum variant gets an analogue instrument console whereas the disc variant of the standard model, and the Street Rally variants get an LCD console which displays basic information including a speedometer, odometer, trip meter, fuel gauge and tachometer, along with a smartphone connectivity through the Y-connect app that keeps track of calls, SMS and emails. The app also provides maintenance recommendations and malfunction warnings. However, there’s no turn-by-turn navigation, which is a little disappointing.

The scooter is equipped with a side stand cut-off feature and a remote boot opener but misses out on an underseat storage light and an external fuel filler cap while the USB charger is offered as an accessory.

The Yamaha Ray ZR 125 Fi Hybrid offers a solid package for those looking for a sporty 125cc scooter. It looks unique, is impressively light, and is easy to flick around while offering excellent mileage and impressive performance.