The new Yamaha is built around a four-stroke, 113cc, single-cylinder and force air-cooled engine. Peak power generated is similar to Ray, with 7bhp at 7500rpm and 0.82kgm of peak torque at 5000rpm, which is transferred to the rear wheel through a CVT system. The carburetted powertrain can be fired up via an electric and a kick starter, a choke knob is provided just below the handlebars for cold starts.
The 113cc scooter accommodates the rider and pillion with an upright seating position on a comfortable saddle, with a flat floorboard for the rider and rubber based pillion footrests. A steel underbone type chassis, holds the scooter together, with telescopic front fork suspension and a rear monoshock, with engine doubling up as a stressed member of the frame. The 130mm front and rear drum brakes manage the braking activity, and are mounted on the 90/100 x 10 inch tyres.
Yamaha has shifted its focus to the scooter segment of India, with the increasing number of scooter sales that the company has received after its first scooter launch, the Ray. Alpha is available in five colour options- black, grey, white, red and magenta, and has been launched at Rs 49,518 (ex-showroom, Delhi). This scooter plays an important role for Yamaha in India, with the company setting up a sales target of 200,000 units in the 1st year of launch itself.
Karan Narsu