2014 Yamaha D’elight 125 review

£1849 | Air-cooled 4-stroke | 7.1bhp | 5.6lb-ft

Tested By: Carli Ann Smith Photos: Joe Dick

Yamaha have bolstered its already strong range of commuting machines with the addition of a budget scooter: the D’elight. Priced at £1849, it aims to appeal to price-conscious bikers, and commuters looking for a brand-name without breaking the bank. But does this emphasis on price mean they’ve lost some of the quality? Carli found out when she took it out for a test ride…

Tell me about the engine

What struck me was how quiet the engine is: It purred gently underneath me on the test, while the power was delivered progressively as I twisted the throttle. The air-cooled, 4-stroke engine provided enough get-up-and-go when filtering through town traffic, and even out in the country, I was able to overtake slower traffic (with a little planning). It reached around 55mph easily, and maintained it on my commute. This meant that, unlike on some other scooters, my mind wasn’t consumed with wondering when I was next going to be overtaken by something big and heavy, and instead I could just concentrate on enjoying the ride.

What’s the chassis like?

The D’elight is extremely agile and nimble: with its light weight of 98kg it’s easy to handle but it still feels secure going round bends and roundabouts. It features a hydraulic single disc brake on the front which gives more than enough stopping power, and it’s nice to be able to feather the rear drum brake whilst filtering to take advantage of the smaller shape of the scooter. The ride is firm but comfortable and the suspension does its job well enough to make for a pleasant ride.

Should I buy one?

If you’re after a classic-looking Japanese scooter for under £2000, then this may be the one for you. It’s practical with plenty of storage under the seat, and two compartments incorporated into the leg shield for smaller items. But it doesn’t compromise on looks: The ‘Magnetic Bronze’ that we had on test had a fantastic shimmering paint scheme, which attracted a number of admiring glances riding in town. It’s available in black or white too. The retro-style headlamp and tail lights, flowing lines and chrome detailing made the D’elight stand out for all the right reasons. The windscreen design looked a big odd to me and rather space age when I first saw it, but it’s amazing how effective it was, and after spending some time on the bike I grew to like – and appreciate – it. These looks, combined with Yamaha’s reputation and the neat little engine, make it a great choice of 125cc.

So what’s it like to ride?

Climbing abroad the comfortable seat, you do feel like you should be riding round roads in Italy with an open faced helmet and a good-looking pillion on board. But, even when faced with British weather and the adventurous commute home, I still appreciated the feeling of ‘cool’ that this scooter exudes. Simply roll back the throttle and let the 2-valve 114cc engine do its thing. It’s a friendly machine that will get you where you want to be, but won’t do anything to shock you. It’s perfect for getting to and from work, or enjoying the scenery on a weekend jaunt. It’s got the capacity for a pillion too, with a grab-rail and pillion footpegs, so someone else can enjoy the ride with .

TECH SPEC

Yamaha D’elight

Price: £1849

Engine: Single cylinder, 4-stroke, air-cooled, 2-valve 114cc

Power: 7.1bhp (5.3Kw) @ 7000rpm

Torque: 5.6lb-ft (7.6Nm) @ 5500rpm

Weight: Approx 98kg

Seat height: 755mm

Tank size: 4.4 litres

www.yamaha-motor.eu/uk