Table of contents:
- Yamaha D'elight 125: practical format
- Ease, practicality, city
- Yamaha D'elight 125: affordable and responsive
- Yamaha D'elight 125 2021 - Rating
- Yamaha D'elight 125 2021 - Technical sheet
Video: We tested the Yamaha D'elight 125: a simple scooter without a license that convinces by practicality, consumption and price
2024 Author: Nicholas Abramson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-10 16:34
After having tested the Yamaha NMAX 125 and without leaving the city of Seville, the Japanese firm had prepared a second contact for us within the same event. This time it was another 125 cc scooter, but instead of the Sport Scooter category, enrolled within the Urban Mobility: the Yamaha D'elight 125.
With an even more urban proposal, even more accessible and of a dominant practical nature, the D'elight 125 has also been passed to the Euro5 standard, and it does so by including some substantial improvements to become a very interesting option without a license for all budgets.
Yamaha D'elight 125: practical format
Small, affordable and manageable. So is the little Yamaha D'elight 125 that we already knew, although now it has changed. Change inside and out to complete the Yamaha catalog in a segment that is more than competitive and where competition is fierce.
There may not be many 125cc flat-bottomed scooters left, but the ones out there have to contend with heavyweights like the Honda SH 125i Scoopy or the Kymco Agility City 125. Among them they take almost all the cake, leaving the rest of models like this D'elight 125 a very concise portion.
The sales figures for the D'elight 125 are surprising: they were only sold 336 units in 2020 Being a complicated year due to the pandemic, but in 2018 the figure did not rise too much either, remaining at 647 units. But not for that reason Yamaha have given up. On the contrary. They have renewed this little urban scooter and it must be recognized that the sales figures do not do it justice as a product.
On the outside the Yamaha D'elight 125 is a very classic scooter. They have followed the fireproof recipe of putting together a contained chassis, large headlight, flat floor and small / medium seat to create a scooter that is especially manageable. It is intended for those car drivers who want or need a small but decisive motorcycle to move around the city. A motorcycle that also does not impose the least.
Hence also his friendly appearance, with some features in which the large headlight with LED technology placed on the handlebar, a generous shield that integrates the indicators within two separate chrome cuts and a compact rear part with a generous handle that helps us to grip it solidly and move it while standing still.
With respect to the outgoing model, the design has been modernized with sharper lines, and also includes a revised, classic-looking dashboard that combines a large analog dial with a small digital display where we have the right information: fuel level, hour clock and trip / total odometer.
Speaking of the driving position, we almost got in without realizing it. It is what has the wonder of flat floors. We hardly even remember models like this, in which you don't have to lift your leg to get on the seat. When we do it now the feeling is a mix between rarity and satisfaction.
Sitting At the controls of the Yamaha D'elight 125 we don't have much space, but everything is where it needs to be. With a height of 170 cm we were fit in this scooter. We take our feet against the limit set by the front shield and our butt to the rearmost area. Our hands are low and close together. It is a natural and comfortable position, although it could be somewhat more spacious.
Ease, practicality, city
Given its more affordable nature, Yamaha has not included the keyless start in this model as it has done in the NMAX 125, so we take it out of our pocket, turn the ignition and press the start button so that the little engine comes to life.
It is also not the same engine as in the NMAX 125. They are similar but not the same. Once booted the noise level is very, very low and it hardly emits vibrations. At least not while we do not press the right lever when stopped, when the engine will be felt slightly when we apply the rear brake. Something typical on scooters.
Internally, the adaptation to the Euro5 regulation has implied more changes than it might seem. The engine of the Yamaha D'elight 125 receives a new piston, a new cylinder head and a new crankshaft, in addition to receiving a DiASil treatment on the cylinder walls to modify friction.
In figures, this block produces 8, 4 CV and 9, 8 Nm of torque that transferred to the ground leave us with a contained but sufficient power for urban displacements. Given that it is not a model that seeks pure performance, we cannot ask for much more, and the truth is that thanks to its lightness it does not perform badly: it weighs only 101 kg in running order.
This lightness you can feel it from the first second that we put ourselves at their controls because it is one of those scooters that let you do whatever you want. You can move through the traffic to position yourself in the preferred areas for motorcycles at traffic lights, stroll around and park it anywhere because it moves with amazing ease.
Aside from maintaining commendable agility, the D'elight 125 looks to be an extremely economical bike. While the characteristics of the Blue Core engine that we mentioned earlier were aimed at limit consumption and emissions, there is another interesting novelty.
This model also embraces the Start & Stop system of the brand, capable of stopping the propeller when driving below 3 km / h, the engine is at less than 2,000 rpm and the throttle is fully closed. If these conditions are met when reaching a traffic light, for example, the engine shuts down.
It can be connected or disconnected from the button on the right pineapple, but its operation is intelligent and will not activate if the engine is cold (below 70ºC), the battery voltage is insufficient or if 10 km have not been exceeded / h from the previous boot.
The truth is that the system works very well, it is barely noticeable at startup and responds extremely quickly, starting when we accelerate again. In addition, consumption reflects the correctness of this measure with a homologated figure of 1.8 liters per 100 km, or what is the same, 55.6 km per liter or 306 km spending its 5.5 liter tank (according to the WMTC cycle).
When it comes to chassis, the D'elight 125's tubular steel frame is simple but effective. Gives an impression of solidity and has acceptable stability, only conditioned by its own morphology of small wheels (12 and 10 inches) and a wheelbase of only 1,275 mm.
This chassis joins a pair of conventional suspensions with a telescopic fork front with 84mm of travel and a pair of shock absorbers with 68mm of travel. Both fulfill their function although they do not stand out for being especially progressive. They are on the dry side and it shows in paved areas.
The brakes section is also simple, with a 180mm front disc and one rear drum. A pair of brakes that are related through a combined braking system that feels quite effective but a little weird. I am one of those who use both hands to brake on a scooter and the performance of the combined braking is strange to me.
Yamaha D'elight 125: affordable and responsive
In practical terms this Yamaha D'elight 125 is very practical. Mainly it is practical due to its dynamic capabilities when it comes to moving with total fluidity, but also because under its seat it encloses a space for 36 liters that allows us to store a full face helmet and more in the remaining space.
The nods to practicality include the opening of the seat and the tank by buttons next to the ignition key, the tank mouth very handy on the left side of the shield and a hook for carrying bags.
In the rear you can place a trunk of up to 39 liters, but maybe we miss a little more space for the passenger. Although it is also true that it is not a model that is going to be used too much in duo.
The price of the Yamaha D'elight 125 is 2,749 euros for a model that comes quite complete, with reasonable performance and good finishes. The Honda SH 125i is more capable, better finished and with superior performance, but it is also much more expensive at 3,800 euros. The Kymco Agility City 125 instead stays at 2,199 euros.
Yamaha D'elight 125 2021 - Rating
6.3
Motor 6 Vibrations 9 Change 7 Stability 6 Agility 9 Front suspension 5 Rear suspension 5 Front brake 6 Back brake 5 Pilot comfort 6 Passenger comfort N / A Consumption N / A Finishes 6 Esthetic 6
In favor
- Total agility
- Accessibility for all audiences
- Good load capacity
- Flat floor
Against
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