Yamaha Ray test ride, review and video

We ride the important Ray, Yamaha’s first Indian scooter.

Published on Sep 18, 2012 04:25:00 PM

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The Ray uses an Indian scooter-typical, 113cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke and air-cooled engine. It’s a button or kick-started, twin-valve, carbureted, long stroke (50 x 57.8mm) dimension powerplant with an automatic, CVT transmission system. Peak power on tap is 7bhp at 7500rpm, and maximum torque made is 0.82kgm at 5000rpm. The Ray isn’t one to be left behind on engine hardware, providing friction cutting technology including a set of roller rocker arms, and TPS (throttle position sensor) riding piggyback on the carb to control ignition timing and assist the engine’s 3D mapping system to attain maximum efficiency.

Seat of the pants, and as best as we could judge in a parking lot where riding the scooter at over 40kph was a stretch, the Ray engine feels smooth and completely vibe free. You’d be disappointed if you absorbed all the marketing hype surrounding this launch, and honestly believed in Yamaha’s “we’re going to stick by our performance DNA” promise, for all that rings hollow and is clearly forgotten on this scooter. This isn’t a performance scooter, or one that’s going to win any traffic signal getaway prizes, but in truth will delight a commuter, with its refined, easy acceleration, adequate throttle-response and convenient in urban India factor. More on how the Ray performs on road after we get to grips with one on regular roads.

The Ray comes with a scooter standard, underbone type steel chassis, but goes one up on many rivals including the Activa and Dio for using top-drawer, telescopic fork suspension in front. At rear, it uses a single monoshock with the engine a stressed member. This is a comfortable scooter and one that has its rider quickly feeling at home thanks to low seat height and a lightweight feel.

The riding position is comfortable and upright, the floorboard feeling slightly inclined, but set at the perfect height, as is its handlebar. Our small ‘parking-lot’ ride wasn’t enough to bring you a thorough assessment of the Ray’s ride and handling, but ride quality is surely good, and handling was nice too, with a light steering, secure stability and adequate braking offered by the 300mm drum brakes. Our test Ray came with its 10inch wheels shod with grippy, 90/100 section MRF tyres. It would have been nice to see Yamaha offering alloy rims with the Ray.

We’d expect mileage to be in the region of 40kpl.

The Ray is certain to have the Dio breaking into a cold sweat, this Honda having long filled this same trendy scooter space without any real competition to fight down, and Yamaha are offering their smart new Ray competently priced at Rs 46,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi), in Pink, Purple, Blue, Burgundy, Grey and Black.

The Ray isn’t going to get Yamaha fans cheering, who rightly expected a performance scooter from this capable company, but it is sure to win several hearts with its modern styling, high quality mix of sound engineering, a reliable engine and high on convenience and comfort factors.