Scooter Envy

By Keith May
(Originally appeared in Cycle World magazine)  


"How fast will it go?" is always the first question. "Sixty," I lie every time, knowing the only way Yamaha's Vino 125 will reach that speed is by hurtling downhill with a strong tailwind. I've gotten close a couple times–57...58...59. But Sixty remains just beyond reach. Which is fine when the speed limit is Thirty and gas is four bucks a gallon.

If you're buying a scooter you’re probably a student or broke. Or, like me, you live in a coastal beach town and have two-large burning a hole in your pocket. Driving your truck through traffic, being herded along. A scooter could provide infinite detours. An attractive alternative if you prefer to stay under the radar.

So, for the past few weeks, I've been buzzing down local backstreets thoroughly enjoying the Vino's playful nature, all the while greeted by envious grins and occasional salutes, setting a positive example for minimal consumption and elegant simplicity. So what if I feel a bit foolish. Justifying the Vino is as simple as getting to the beach before friends do.

Putting around on the Vino, a gallon of gas will take you 60 miles. Squirting through traffic and launching off speed bumps, I got less. The luggage rack is worthless but the bin under your tush holds almost a week's worth of groceries (unless you're on the Atkins diet). The belt-drive automatic transmission makes for smooth running, but the whining exhaust note produced by the little Single can make your ears ring. If you're lucky, the roads are smooth because you have only a couple inches of suspension travel. The Vino doesn't stop on a dime, but luckily turns on one.

At rest, the $2199 Vino strikes a stylish pose. Lines are graceful and the chrome Harley Fat Boy-esque headlight tries to appear masculine.

So, how fast does the Vino go? Around here, it doesn't really matter.