The History of Yamaha Scooters

Scooters are a good choice for short commuter rides.

Yamaha motorcycles have been on the market in the United States since the 1950s. Yamaha entered the U.S. scooter trade in 1983 with the "Riva 50," "Riva 80" and the larger, 4-stroke "Riva 180." Consumers appreciated the new Japanese models, which had more environmentally-friendly engines and emission standards.

History

Yamaha scooters continued to develop during the 1980s and 1990s. Honda held first place in number of models sold, but Yamaha's Riva line -- including the "Jog," "Razz" and "Zuma" -- all gained consumer attention and affection.

Later Developments

Yamaha makes a variety of scooters as of 2010. The "Majesty" features a high-tech, 4-stroke engine with automatic transmission; it is powerful enough to run on highways. The Yamaha "Vino" is a smaller scooter; it includes a 49 cc engine that achieves 110 mpg. Other Yamaha models include the "C3," "Zuma" and "TMAX."

Future Trends

According to a 2009 study by "Consumer Reports," sales of scooters and motorcycles have leaped due to consumer desire for cheaper transportation. The study includes a warning that motorcycles and scooters are less safe than cars.

References

• The History of Scooters, Zipping Through the Years
• Motor Scooters, Yamaha Scooters
• "Consumer Reports," Scooters and Motorcycles, March 2009

Resources

• Motor Scooter Guide, Yamaha Scooters