Introduced for the European market in 2000 and launched in Japan the following year, this maxi-scooter helped define Yamaha’s “automatic supersport” idea: scooter convenience wrapped in motorcycle-like styling and handling. It arrived as a bold alternative to conventional commuter scooters, with a twin-cylinder engine and chassis layout developed specifically to give the machine more stability and sportier road manners than typical step-through models. Early success in Europe established it as a flagship for the brand’s larger automatic line.
Over time, the nameplate was steadily refined rather than reinvented. A 2004 update brought fuel injection, larger front suspension hardware, radial tires, and twin front discs to sharpen performance and stability. A major redesign followed for 2008, when the model adopted a new aluminum frame and a more aggressive body, marking a significant step forward in chassis sophistication. In 2012, the engine was reworked again for greater refinement and stronger real-world usability, and later updates increased displacement to 560cc for the modern era.
The result is one of the best-known performance scooters in the market, especially in Europe, where it became a long-running benchmark for riders who wanted touring comfort, practical storage, and sportier handling in a single package. The nameplate remains in production today, continuing the same concept that made the original stand out.