Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/405298
YAMAHA TRICITY 125 FIRST RIDE P66 ers, which in turn helps promote increased front wheel grip when cornering, as well as under brak- ing. That's achieved via the Tric- ity's excellent Nissin UBS/Uni- fied Brake System, which see the right-hand brake lever on the handlebar work the twin front 220mm disc brakes alone, while its companion on the left oper- ates both fronts and the single 230mm rear disc. Ironically, it seemed only using your left hand to operate front and rear brakes combined didn't have as much bite as using just the front pair only. But stopping the Tricity isn't a problem, even leaned over on the angle, where it doesn't sit up and understeer straight ahead if you have to squeeze hard to avoid errant cats and the like. And the Tricity's center of gravity has been set at a point just below the front of the seat, and together with the low overall weight and 50/50 weight distribution, this ideal- ized center of gravity is another key factor in achieving its light, responsive handling, with quick yet precise steering. It feels a lot more planted and less nervous than other conventional scooters, and that has to be down to the dual front wheels. Yamaha's SOHC engine used in the Tricity employs a forged piston running directly in the alu- minum cylinder sleeve, without the usual cast iron sleeve, and is sourced from another Thai- made model - the Nuovo Mio SX of which over 40,000 examples have been built. So it's well es- tablished as a reliable, compara- tively torquey power unit that is a smooth and willing compan- ion devoid of vibration. You do, however, get the feeling that its slightly listless acceleration is probably a function of the 3D EFI being mapped in pursuit of fuel economy – homologated con- sumption is 115 mpg. I think the 150cc version that's apparently coming soon will be a better buy for more experienced riders. Seated aboard the rather firm- ly padded seat delivers a relaxed but upright, natural-seeming gauge and odometer. There's an array of five warning lights, plus scrolling through the digital panel accesses twin trips, a belt mile- age readout and 'oil mileage' – but not fuel DTE. Complementing the Tricity's quite futuristic styling are the dual front LED position lights, plus an LED taillight and rear lamp. Yamaha has once again stolen a march on its rivals with the debut of the Tricity, whose arrival in some ways poses more questions than it answers. It will be interesting to see what the response is from " ….the narrower track means that the Tricity is no wider than a conventional scooter, thus ensuring the same lane- splitting capability that helps it carve its way through tight urban congestion in a way the MP3 sometimes struggles to do. " stance, with your knees bent at 90 degrees with plenty of room on the footboard to get your feet comfortable, with a flat floor and no hump in the middle. The well-shaped but non-ad- justable screen is pretty protec- tive, and build quality seemed very high on the entire bike, which is available in a choice of four colors - Anodized Red, Mis- tral Grey, Competition White and Midnight Black. The instruments are stylish, functional and easy to read, with the LCD dash featuring a central digital speedo flanked by a clock, ambient temperature gauge, fuel Honda, especially, let alone Piag- gio. For the dynamic qualities of this confidence-inspiring package are so firmly enhanced compared to a conventional scooter, that you have to say they can't ignore it. But Honda will have to think up another way of delivering a three- wheeler if they do respond, be- cause between them Yamaha and Piaggio surely have all the patents in place to keep this market seg- ment pretty well sewn up between them. And the logical next step? Well – how about a three-wheeled motorcycle, using the Tricity's nar- row-track front-end technology? Don't bet against it! CN