Yamaha Morphous: Performance

The Yahama Morphous is a low-riding scooter that has been available in the United States since September 2005 and ceased production with its 2008 model. While it was never poular in the U.S., it sold well in the Japanese market, where it is called the Maxam, for its style and performance.

Acceleration and Speed

The Morphous houses a 249cc, four-valve, four-stroke DOHC engine that can reach a top speed of 75 mph, though some tests have marked speeds of up to 85 mph. The acceleration is a bit relaxed but good for a scooter, a vehicle type not well-known for its speed. It can go zero to 60 mph in about 18.41 seconds.

Size Benefits

With a long body (93.3 inches in length) and a low frame (25.8 inches seat height), the Morphous has a low center of gravity that makes it easier to handle for smaller riders. It also makes it easier for any rider to keep the vehicle upright when at a stop. The frame also makes the scooter handle well on long stretches of open road.

Considerations

The Morphous' unique frame size also comes with disadvantages, however. It is fairly bulky for a scooter, which makes it harder to handle in urban settings, where finesse and dexterity are needed to weave through traffic and make sharp turns.

References

• Motorcycle.com: 2008 Yamaha Morphous Review
• Just Gotta Scoot: Review of Yamaha Morphous
• Yamaha: 2008 Morphous Specs