Yamaha Vino 125 (YJ125)

Summary
The Vino 125 is more widely available used that any of these other scooters, so it’s a good choice for buyers looking for a cheaper retro scooter that’s going to be well supported by both the OEM and the online community for years to come.
Pros
Good Value
Excellent Fit and Finish
Solid handling / Low Seat
Cons
Low Tech Engine
No Glovebox
Small Fuel Tank
4.1

YAMAHA VINO 125 (YJ125)

The Vino 125 was a popular mid sized scooter from Yamaha sold from 2004 to 2009 in the USA and one year longer in Canada. Having not sold a 125cc scooter since the 2001 Riva 125, Yamaha re-entered the segment for 2004 with a 125cc version of their popular Vino scooter. Taking aim at Vespa, the Vino 125 (model code YJ125) expanded the success of Yamaha’s 50cc Vino into the mid sized market segment.

The Vino 125 was sold for 6 years until it finally didn’t make the cut for the 2010 Yamaha USA scooter lineup. In Canada, the Vino 125 lasted for one more year with the 2010 model being the last. Over the years the Vino 125 was kept unchanged, save for varying color options (colors listed at bottom of page).

Internationally Yamaha sold in the Vino 125 in a moderate array of countries. They also sold a very similar scooter called the ‘Fino’ which had some cosmetic changes. The Vino 125 enjoyed moderate success in the Asian market as well as in North America. The Asian market examples used a different taillight/blinkers setup, which some enthusiasts retrofit to tidy up the look of the rear end.

Motor

The Vino 125 relied on a fairly basic air cooled, carbureted, 2-valve 4-stroke engine which provided average propulsion for a 125cc. This motor wasn’t as advanced or powerful as the newer 125cc engine Yamaha would release in the 2009 Zuma 125, but it was a decent performer.

Top speed of the Vino 125 is about 55mph – depending on rider size and riding conditions. This is 10-15mph faster than its Vino 50cc sibling, which makes it well suited for everything but highway travel. A 125cc engine is great for zipping around town or exploring back roads. You’ll be a happy owner if you think of the Vino 125 as a peppy scooter for around town, not as a scooter for 55mph zone use. Expect around 70mpg in normal mixed use.

Design and Amenities

The Vino 125 is a surprisingly good handler with adequate suspension. The Vino 125 stops quickly as well, thanks to the well designed 180mm front disc brake. The inclusion of the front disc brake is one advantage that the Vino 125 has over the Vino 50, which has always made do with a front drum brake.

As you may suspect, the Vino 125 has a nice large storage area for your full face helmet under the seat. There’s no handy glovebox for your smaller items (ie. Vespa LX) or even an open cubby hole (ie. Vespa S). The tradeoff for the large underseat storage is a small fuel tank. On most scooters these two things compete for the volume under the seat and in the Vino 125 the storage is the clear winner. The gas tank in the Vino 125 is a mere 1.2 gallons (4.7L) so you won’t make it too far out of town without a jerry can.

The Vino 125 has a fairly low seat (29.9”) for a 125cc scooter, so it accommodates shorter riders better than most scooters in this class with 31-32” being the norm.

Discussion

For about $1000 more than the 50cc Vino, the Vino 125 delivers an extra 75cc’s of power, room for two and a front disc brake. That’s pretty solid value but you do also need to consider the extra insurance you are going to pay with a 125cc.

If you’re looking for a vintage styled mid-sized scooter you’ve got a few options besides the Vino 125. Vespa offers their LX 150 and S 150 scooters for about $1000 more which nets you the Vespa name, some chrome bits and a few cool features like a microchip key.

On the lower cost end of the spectrum, there are competitors from SYM (Fiddle II 125), Kymco (Like 200), Genuine (Stella and Buddy), Aprilia (Mojito 150) and TNG (Milano and Low Boy).

1 2009 was the last year for the Vino 125, so there’s still plenty of gently used examples out there in nice condition.

Pros:

  • Good Value
  • Excellent Fit and Finish
  • Solid handling / Low Seat

Cons:

  • Low Tech Engine
  • No Glovebox
  • Small Fuel Tank

Links:

Vino 125 Service Manual – Very helpful manual for working on your Vino 125.
MotorscooterGuide Forums – Visit the forum on this site to chat about this scoot.
Vino 125 Review – Great article! Have a read.
Another Vino 125 Review – Peruse this nice writeup as well.

Key Specs:

  • Engine: 4-stroke, air-cooled with fan assist, SOHC, 2-valve single
  • Displacement: 125cc
  • Bore and Stroke: 51.5 x 60 mm
  • Compression Ratio: 9.8:1
  • Fuel Delivery: Mikuni BS26
  • Ignition / Starting: CDI / Electric & Kick
  • Transmission: CVT
  • Final Drive: V-Belt / Spur gear
  • Suspension (Front): 33mm fork
  • Suspension (Rear): Single shock unit swingarm
  • Brakes (Front): 180mm disc
  • Brakes (Rear): Drum
  • Tires: 3.50×10 (Front and Rear)
  • Length: 69.1″
  • Width: 27.5″
  • Height: 41.8″
  • Wheelbase: 48.4″
  • Seat Height: 29.9″
  • Fuel Capacity: 4.7 litres (1.2 gal)
  • Weight : 229 lbs (Dry), 239.8 lbs (Wet)

Colors:

  • 2004: Dull Red Metallic, Silver 3
  • 2005: Dark Purplish Red Cocktail, Stardust Silver
  • 2006: Deep Purplish Blue Metallic, Stardust Silver
  • 2007: Deep Purplish Blue Metallic, Light Grey Metallic
  • 2008: Deep Purplish Blue Metallic, Black Metallic
  • 2009: Raspberry Metallic, Silver
  • 2010: Metallic Black (Canada Only), Metallic White (Canada Only)