I bought my 2006 Yamaha Vino 125 in October. As a first-time scooter-owner/buyer, it was daunting to navigate the process. Around here, you can’t test-drive anything. And at the time, dealers were getting so many calls for scooters that they didn’t care. If you didn’t buy, someone else would.
In the buying process, since it’s registered as a motorcycle, you need a motorcycle license to drive one off the lot. You can’t get a motorcycle license without taking a test on a motorcycle. So, with only my temporary permit in hand, I went in to buy a scooter not knowing how it would ride. All I could do was sit on them.
The only other scooter I seriously considered was the Honda Elite 80. Since I wanted to ride on secondary roads at speeds up to 45mph, the 50cc models were not an option. And at my height, the smaller scooters looked like toys. I would have considered a Vespa, but there aren’t any local dealers I could find. Luckily, the Vino 125 has Vespa rip-off styling.
I’m very glad I bought my Vino 125. Like many, I paid a little too much, but it looks like I was not as gouged as some. Scooters seem to be at a premium these days. I’m very happy with my dealer, and they were great with the purchase, insuring, registering, and accessorizing of my scooter. For the first year, they’ll pick up and drop off your scooter for service.
I cruise around Wilmington, DE and to and from Philadelphia regularly. I average 75 MPG, with a lot of full-throttle 50 MPH driving. It’s quick off the stoplights -- easily keeping up with, or passing the average passenger car. The Vino is very visible, with bright turn signals and driving lights. The seat is comfortable, but the rear shock doesn’t have enough travel for my taste. Also, if I were Yamaha, building a scooter of this quality and speed, I would have put on a bigger gas tank. 1.2 gallons is not enough. I am constantly filling up with .8 gallon 'fill-ups'.
All in all, I love it.
