Motor Scooter Guide

YAMAHA SCOOTERS

This page contains a year by year description of the Yamaha’s scooter lineup. For detailed information on a specific Yamaha scooter use the menu to the right.

While Yamaha’s history with scooters includes the 1960 SC-1 (175cc 2-stroke available only in Japan), the V-series (think pedal-less mopeds) and the 1977 Passol (Japan only scooter), this section deals with only the Yamaha scooters which made it to North America.

1982

The 50cc Salient (CA50) pictured at left and 80cc Beluga (CV80) (Shown at right in white) became the first modern scooters to be sold in North American when they hit the market in Canada for 1982, one year before Honda arrived in North America with their Aero 50 and Aero 80 scooters. These scooters were designed to be the next generation of scooter with their dent resistant plastic body panels, CVT transmissions and oil injection. These features made these scooters easy to operate for a wider appeal.

MODELS: Salient (Canada only), Beluga (Canada only)

1983

A year after going on sale in Canada, Yamaha released the CA50 and CV80 scooters in the USA market as the Riva 50 and Riva 80 respectively.

Yamaha also introduced the larger Riva 180 (XC180) scooter in both markets for ’83. This scooter was capable of impressive top speeds around 75mph. The Riva 180 is a good scooter but it is infamous for starting difficulties. Yamaha designed overly complex auto choke systems for many of their Riva scooters, which often don’t work if you are pulling one out of a garage after sitting for a decade.

MODELS: Salient / Riva 50, Beluga / Riva 80, Riva 180

1984

Canadians got an updated version of the CV80 Beluga scooter with a host of improvements resulting in a significantly higher top speed (45mph instead of 38mph). These improvements include a larger carburetor, new cylinder and redesigned exhaust. Americans would have to wait another year for these upgrades. These upgrades may have been a response to Honda’s Aero 80 scooter, which was significantly peppier.

MODELS: Salient / Riva 50, Beluga / Riva 80, Riva 180

1985

For 1985, Yamaha released the improved CV80 scooter to the American market. In addition to radically better performance, Yamaha added a handy kickstand.

The major Yamaha scooter news for 1985 was the introduction of the all new Riva 125 (XC125). Overseas this scooter was often
called the Beluga 125 but in Canada and in the USA it received the Riva 125 name plate. American’s could now choose from four members of the Riva family while Canadians were offered the same scooters with a more random assortment of names. Both the Riva 50 and Riva 125 were actually sold under the Beluga 50 and Beluga 125 names in Europe, so it’s baffling why Yamaha couldn’t decide on a consistent family name for the Canadian market.

MODELS: Salient / Riva 50, Beluga / Riva 80, Riva 125, Riva 180

1986

Yamaha also added another 50cc scooter to their lineup for 1986, the small and quirky Jog (CE50). The Jog series of scooters would end going on to become one of the most popular lines of all time and it’s 50cc Minerelli engine can still be found in a huge portion of 2-stroke 50cc scooters. In some areas, Yamaha would refer to the Jog as a member of the Riva family. In quite a few Yamaha publications it is called the ‘Riva Jog’.

After a three year run the Riva 180 was dropped for 1986, but it would return for 1987 in an updated form.

Yamaha also added a deluxe ‘Z’ version of the Riva 125 with upscale paint, rims and seat.

MODELS: Salient / Riva 50, Jog, Beluga / Riva 80, Riva 125

1987

The Salient / Riva 50 was replaced for 1987 by the new Razz (SH50). Like the Jog, Yamaha considered the Razz a member of the Riva family and often called it the ‘Riva Razz’ in their marketing. The Razz was the entry level scooter in Yamaha’s lineup so unlike the Jog, the Razz had only one mirror and a single speed transmission. The single speed transmission meant a top speed of just 30mph and this could not easily be raised.

After a years absence, the largest Riva returned in an updated from. Yamaha bumped this Riva to 200cc and fittingly changed the name to the Riva 200 (XC200). With the extra 20cc, this scooter was now a better competitor to Honda’s 250cc Elite. In addition to the increase in displacement, this scooter got different front forks and a few other visual and mechanical tweaks. Yamaha also made a deluxe version available (XC200Z) with upgraded paint, wheels and seat.

MODELS: Jog, Razz, Beluga / Riva 80, Riva 125, Riva 200

1988

For 1988, the Jog was redesigned with a new frame and body - thus the model code was changed to CG50. Despite a new appearance, the CG50 continued to use the same vertical motor as the departed CE50 Jog. The CG50 Jog shared some parts with its Razz sibling like the front headlight array, forks, rims and rear lighting. The sleeker profile of the CG50 Jog was a hint at things to come for the next generation.

The 80cc Beluga/Riva 80 scooter was dropped for 1988. Perhaps it was licensing regulations that made 50cc’s more appealing or maybe customers simply preferred Yamaha’s newer scooters. Whatever the case, Yamaha has not sold an 80cc scooter in North America since.

MODELS: Jog, Razz, Riva 125, Riva 200

1989 - 1990

The CW50 was released to the North America market for the 1989 model year under the now legendary Zuma badge. During these first years, Yamaha used the Zuma name in both the USA and Canada. There were no lineup changes for 1990.

MODELS: Jog, Razz, Zuma, Riva 125, Riva 200

1991

After two pretty good years, Yamaha stopped selling the Zuma because they didn’t have enough of this scooter to import. In Europe the CW50 had become really popular (under the BWs badge) so Yamaha removed it from the USA & Canadian markets to meet European demand. It would be six years before Americans would see it again.

MODELS: Jog, Razz, Riva 125, Riva 200

1992 - 1994

A sharp new third generation of the Jog (shown at left) arrived for 1992 (code CY50). Yamaha dropped the Riva 200 after a 5 year run and ceased to offer the deluxe version of the Riva 125. Yamaha’s remaining three scooters would linger unchanged through the 2001 model year.

MODELS: Jog, Razz, Riva 125

1995 - 1996

Yamaha brought the CW50 back to Canada for 1995, but since Canada is a smaller market they opted not to print off Zuma badges, and instead they started using their European name for this scooter, the BWs or BeeWee. American’s would have to wait a couple more years before being offered the CW50 again. Here is a brochure of Yamaha USA's 1996 Scooter Lineup.

MODELS: Jog, Razz, BWs (Canada Only) Riva 125

1997 - 2000

Finally after six years off, the CW50 returned to USA for the 1997 model year. In the USA, Yamaha revived the Zuma name they had first used in the late 80’s for this model. Up in Canada, Yamaha had already been selling the CW50 for a couple years under the BWs name, so they opted to continue using that name. After the 1997 changes, Yamaha’s lineup would remain unchanged three more years.

MODELS: Jog, Razz, BWs / Zuma, Riva 125

2001

For 2001, Yamaha began overhauling their aging scooter lineup. The four scooters they had been selling over the past decade were all showing their age, with three out of four models dating back to the late 80’s.

Yamaha started their overhaul by introducing an all new vintage styled 2-stroke Vino (YJ50) (below right) to compete with the new Vespa’s that had returned to the market in 1999 and were gaining in popularity.

MODELS: Jog, Razz, BWs / Zuma, Vino, Riva 125

2002 - 2003

For 2002, Yamaha completed their lineup overhaul by dropping most of their old scooters (Jog, Razz and Riva 125) and replacing their most popular one, the BWs / Zuma, with an all new ‘bug eyed’ generation (code YW50) shown above left. This introduction gave Yamaha a small but fresh lineup of scooters.

MODELS: Vino, BWs / Zuma

2004

Yamaha re-entered the 125cc market segment with a new 125cc version of the Vino scooter, dubbed the Vino 125 (YJ125). Capable of about 50-52mph, this scooter was considerably cheaper than Vespa’s ET4 and thus was a popular choice. Yamaha did a good job continuing the styling of the smaller 50cc model. It takes a careful eye to be able to tell the difference. Aside from more power, the Vino 125 has a bigger seat for two and a disc brake handling the front braking duties.

MODELS: Vino, BWs / Zuma, Vino 125

2005

Yamaha added it’s largest scooter yet for the 2005 model year, the 400cc Majesty (YP400). The Majesty (below left) was double in size of Yamaha’s next largest scooter, the Riva 200 and it was the first real maxi-scooter from Yamaha.

MODELS: Vino, BWs / Zuma, Vino 125, Majesty

2006

For a third straight year Yamaha introduced a new scooter model, this time in the form of the 250cc Morphous (CP250) shown below right. Considered by some to be the ‘spiritual successor’ to the Honda Helix, this maxi-scoot is quite popular in Japan where it is called the Maxam.

In response to increasingly stringent emissions regulations Yamaha did not release a 2006 version of their BWs/Zuma scooter but they did continue selling the 2005 for some time into the 2006 model year. Rather than cut the 2-stroke Vino, Yamaha updated this scooter with a great new 4-stroke, fuel injected 3-valve engine. This new engine is more powerful than Honda’s current 50cc engine’s and a step ahead technologically.

Interestingly, Yamaha released a 2006 model of the presumed to be dead Riva 125 which hadn't been sold since 2001.

MODELS: Vino, Vino 125, Morphous, Majesty, Riva 125

2007

Yamaha attempted to fill the void left by the BWs with the unique looking C3 scooter (XF50). Boasting the same great 4-stroke engine as the Vino and cavernous storage space, the C3 is a super practical choice for scootering around town. If you’re fine with how cute it looks, the C3 is a great choice.

The Riva 125 was not carried over for 2007.

MODELS: Vino, C3, Vino 125, Morphous, Majesty

2008

After working to reduce emissions via a new catalytic converter, Yamaha re-released the 2-stroke BWs / Zuma to the North American market in a more restricted form. These new restrictions are fairly easy to remove and are quite commonly done so, as the 2008 model significantly lacks in performance compared to the earlier years of this model.

MODELS: Vino, C3, BWs / Zuma, Vino 125, Morphous, Majesty

2009

Yamaha introduced a new maxi-scooter, the sharp looking 495cc TMAX, to their North American lineup for 2009. Interestingly, Yamaha is continuing to sell the 400cc Majesty scooter along side the newer TMAX. We’ll see how long the Majesty continues to hang around.

Surprisingly, Yamaha’s cut the Morphous after just three models years. I think it would have made more sense to cut the Majesty since it’s so close in engine size to the TMAX but I’m sure Yamaha has done the bean counting. I'm still sad to see the Morphous go, as it was a very unique scooter with its low and low design and neat features like an actual trunk.

The other big news for 2009 was the all new 4-stroke Zuma/BWS 125. This is the scooter Zuma/BWS enthusiasts have been requesting for years. This scooter may also steal some sales from Honda, as many Ruckus enthusiasts are looking for something similar but with a bit more power.

MODELS: Vino, C3, BWs / Zuma, Vino 125, BWs 125 / Zuma 125, Majesty, TMAX

2010

After a 6 year run, the end of the road has arrived for the Vino 125 in the USA. The rest of Yamaha's scooter lineup is unchanged for 2010 except for some new colors. In Canada the Vino 125 is available as a 2010 model, but the TMAX has been dropped.

MODELS: Vino, C3, BWs / Zuma, Vino 125 (Canada Only), BWs 125 / Zuma 125, Majesty, TMAX (USA Only)

2011

Yamaha USA's only scooter lineup change for 2011 was dropping the aging 395cc Majesty. The 2009 introduction of the newer and flashier 495cc TMAX seemed to spell the beginning of the end for the Majesty and indeed for 2011 Yamaha is only offering the TMAX in the large scooter segment. In Canada, the Majesty will remain on sale for at least another year which makes sense since they do not offer the TMAX in Canada. Yamaha Canada did not offer 2011 models for the C3, Vino 125 and 50cc BWs scooters, but the latter would return in future years.

MODELS: Vino, C3 (USA only), BWs / Zuma (USA Only), BWs 125 / Zuma 125, Majesty (Canada Only), TMAX (USA Only)

2012

Yamaha 2012 scooter line up began to take shape early, with both Canadian and American divisions announcing some 2012 models in June 2011. The big news for the USA and Canada is the introduction of an all new BWs/Zuma 50 scooter. This new 50cc scooter features updated styling that resembles its larger 125cc sibling and a 4-stroke motor. Yes that’s correct, a 4-stroke motor is now propelling Yamaha’s sportiest 50. Yamaha is touting the improved fuel economy of this engine, but undoubtably Yamaha would have preferred to keep this sporty model under 2-stroke power were it not for the ever tightening emissions rules that have forced nearly every 2-stroke off the market. This new model of Zuma / BWs uses the same 3 valve, fuel injected 4-stroke motor as Yamaha’s C3 and Vino 50 scooters, albeit with a few tweaks. This motor is a great engine with both power and fuel economy about as good as possible for a 4-stroke 50.

The other June news for 2012 is the return of the Majesty (not the updated one revealed fall 2011) to the USA for 2012. After taking 2011 off, the Majesty will be back in USA showrooms featuring charcoal paint. The Majesty is also continuing to be sold in Canada where it never left.

In August, Yamaha USA added the Zuma 125 to their list of 2012 models. The only changes for 2012 to this model is a $100 increase in the MSRP to $3350 and the return of white (‘Alpine White’). 2011’s only color offering (black aka ‘Raven’) returns so now you have two choices. No word yet on this model from Yamaha Canada. Normally new model’s are announced early and then returning models get announced sometime in August - October, so with August’s announcement of the return of the Zuma 125, fans of the Vino, C3 and TMAX have grounds to be a little worried about the future of those models.

Yamaha Canada did not announced the BW’s 125 (aka Zuma 125) for 2012, opting to take a year off instead to allow inventory to wane.

Following its November introduction at the EICMA show, Yamaha Canada has announced the new version of TMAX for the Canadian market. No word yet for the USA. The new TMAX takes things up a notch with more aggressive front end styling, a bunch of nice changes and an engine re-design boosting displacement to 530cc.

MODELS: BWs 50 / Zuma 50F, Zuma 125 (USA Only), Majesty, TMAX (Canada Only)

2013

Yamaha USA started 2013 early with their early announcement of the Vino 50, Zuma 50F and Zuma 125 as 2013 models. The Zuma’s are back unchanged aside from some nice color options, such as Dynamic Blue for the larger Zuma and Heat Red for the smaller Z.

After a year off, the Vino 50 is back in both Canada and the USA and boasting fuel injection for the first time. The core engine is the same as before (3-valve, 4-stroke, 50cc). The 2013 Vino 50’s hit dealerships in June 2012, while the Zuma 50 followed in July and the 2013 Zuma 125 entered showrooms in August. Yamaha Canada also announced the return of the BWs 125 for 2013, ending its one year hiatus.

During the traditional fall release season, Yamaha USA confirmed Majesty is back for another year, while up in Canada both the Majesty and second generation TMAX get 2013 releases.

MODELS: Vino 50 , Zuma / BWs 50F, Zuma / BWs 125, Majesty, TMAX (Canada Only)

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