Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter (2009) Review

by Floyd
(Clarksville, TN)

I purchased this scooter in October 2008 for my wife. I wanted another motorcycle, but since she hasn't started to learn how to ride this scooter yet, I have and find it to be a lot of fun. Plus it's agile, responsive and gets great mileage.

I now plan to use it to go back & forth to work until I get myself a larger scooter, and then my wife can have hers back. I have added a windshield which really helps with wind deflection.

The things I'd like would be a little more storage and maybe a little larger gas tank.

I might note that it's been 30 years since I sold my Triumph, am 68 and retired, though working part time.

Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter Review (2008)

by Kevin
(Sillicon Valley, CA)

My girlfriend recently purchased a Yamaha Vino 125 scooter after a review of the marketplace and I have to say that I'm impressed with the scooter and would recommend it.

Because of high California gas prices, my girlfriend and I have decided to try and reduce our gasoline costs by using alternative forms of transportation. I take the train most days to work or ride my 95 Yamaha motorcycle. She originally wanted a Vespa, so we went out one weekend and decided to do some window shopping.

Our first stop was a Yamaha dealership in Silicon Valley who was very helpful.

They let my girlfriend sit on the Yamaha Vino scooter, lean it over so she'd get an idea of the weight if she were to drop it, and to experiment with how much room the scooter had, putting it up on its stand, etc.

It was great, and gave her a good feeling that she would be able to handle it even if she were on the side of a road.

The storage was somewhat surprising. Being a motorcycle rider, I'm used to tossing things into my backpack and riding down the road. The Vino has under the seat storage that's acceptable for a full face helmet, or as we've been using it, two relatively decent plastic grocery bags full of stuff, which really is just enough for a quick shopping trip.

There is also a slightly gimmicky hook under the seat where you could hook a purse. My girlfriend has tried it and swears it works, but I personally think they should have placed a carabiner style hook for added security.

After a while talking to the sales person, they informed us that they've been selling a bunch of these scooters and currently they had 3, all in Yamaha Blue, and the demo one which was black. After some discussion, we decided to wait for their next shipment a few weeks later.

We went and checked out a Vespa dealership afterwords and after comparing the vino to the available Vespa model line, were sold on it, both in price, comfort and space.

We picked up the scooter a few weeks later, paying basically MSRP after taxes and dealer fees and didn't feel "ripped off" too much, considering the reality check we had with the Vespa dealership.

My girlfriend has had a motorcycle endorsement for 6 years, but it was her first time on a scooter, and first time on a bike in a long while, so we took it easy on the way home, her in front, me in the car behind her in case there were difficulties.

Surprisingly after a few minutes I noticed that she was moving along at 40MPH and seemed very confident on some relatively major streets.

We got home, I took it for a two second zip around the block and found it to be fun, but needed to give it a better ride to give a full judgment call on it.

That time came a week later when I went to go start my motorcycle and the battery had drained. I grabbed the keys for the scooter, tossed on my gear and headed onto the road. Now, keep in mind, I'm not a skinny fellow, I'm 6 feet, 240lbs, so I knew that the 125cc engine wouldn't win me any drag racing competitions, but it was surprisingly responsive.

I found that the seat was a bit stiff when riding on rougher roads, but overall it was a great experience, albeit tough for me to adjust back to standard left and right brakes as opposed to the clutch setup of a motorcycle.

Overall, it's a great means of transportation. We haven't quite seen the claims of 90MPG on the small tank, I think we're averaging around 65-70MPG

My girlfriend's only complaint is that it doesn't have a cupholder on it for a cup of coffee (I think more as a joke) and that getting it up onto it's center stand (as opposed to it's kickstand) can be a bit tough for her.

When we left the dealership, our sales guy pointed out one "flaw" in the design of the starting mechanism for the Yamaha Vino, you need to hold down the brakes in order to turn the unit on, however sometimes the break handle won't hit the sensor quite right and it won't start. I asked the girlfriend and she's run into it once, which I consider within reason, especially since the dealership mentioned it to us ahead of time.

So, all in all, the Yamaha Vino is a great value!

Yamaha Vino 125 Motor Scooter Review

by Joan
(DesMoines, IA)

This spring I bought my very first scooter, a Blue Yamaha Vino 125. I had been looking for awhile, on Craigslist for a used one. Every time I was about to purchase one, it was gobbled up in a second. Finally I decided to start looking for a scooter that is new.

It was between a Buddy 125 and a Vino 125. I liked both; I loved the look of both, I especially like the orange color of the Buddy 125, but because of the popularity, the only local shop was sold out.

So, I went with my other choice... the Vino 125. I have to say that I absolutely love it. It is quiet, gets really good gas mileage, and picks up speed pretty quickly. Every time I ride it I get looks and questions about how much they like it and where they can get one.

My main reason to purchase a scooter was to ride it to work, however I haven't done so yet. I'm not very experienced in riding a scooter, and so I've just been practicing around my home, driving to the grocery store to pick up a few things (which is one of the best features, the trunk!) or to the park to go for a run.

The Yamaha Vino 125 is so much fun to ride, and my husband looks forward to any excuse to take it out as well. I would recommend this scooter to anyone who is considering it! They will be in love with it as much as we are.

Yamaha Vino 125cc Scooter Review

by Kathy Kover
(Springfield, MO)

I have had my Yamaha Vino 125 scooter for over a year now. It starts in cold weather with not too much warm up time. Accelerates to 30-35mph very quickly, cruises great at 45-50, and tops out at 60mph.

I keep it clean and shiny and it is gorgeous and I get quite a few compliments. I do not like the short curved rack, not built to easily put on a trunk.

And in a good head wind, it gets a little gutless and won't push past 50mph. But I love this little bike, want to get a bigger stronger 250cc or more that I can hit the highway some with, but hate like the dickens to use my Vino as a trade in. I hope to keep it and buy a big one also.

Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter Review (2005)

by Anonymous
(Somewhere)

I've had this Yamaha Vino scooter for over 4 years now. It is my regular commuter vehicle. I'm 59 years old, 6'1", 195 lbs and it has plenty of power. And, because the seat is not multilevel you can slide to a comfortable position.

The Yamaha Vino has provided me excellent reliability, with 4000 plus miles and no problems whatsoever... just annual maintenance.

It has good storage capacity and will accept a full face helmet under the seat. It's a great little scooter!

Yamaha Vino 125 Gas Scooter Review

by Ken
(New York City)

My wife and I have owned a pair of Vino 125's for over two years. The Vino is best at about 40 mph but will do 55. I average 80-90 mpg. Being six-two, 240, I like the flat seat which enables me to move up and back at will.

Ride quality is a little harsh; suspension could use a little more spring. Good storage space for trips to the grocery. Worth getting the optional windshield. Very reliable and great service from our dealer. Would absolutely recommend.

2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter Review

by Pat
(Missouri)

I love my Yamaha Vino 125cc scooter. I ride it to work and just for fun. I have been an owner of a scooter for the last ten years now.

I started out with a Yamaha Vino 50cc. It was great, but I wanted to upgrade to a larger one so two years ago I bought a Yamaha Vino 125.

I am ready for a much bigger scooter now. However they don't have much to choose from. I have looked at Yamaha and Honda dealers.