THIS is a pink scooter. No matter what the brochure calls it, “magenta” still looks pink to me.
I noticed the little smirk on the Yamaha public relations person’s face after she handed over the keys to me. I saw it in the mirror as I pulled away from the Yamaha headquarters in Sungai Buloh.
And I saw the same on the faces of many fellow motorcyclists at traffic light junctions. The next few days, I rode with a bandana over my face.
But colour maketh not the bike. After all, this is the latest, most developed “Ego” to come out of Yamaha’s collective scooter experience. And it shows.
The very first Ego was a big, big hit in Malaysia, and subsequent updates proved that the model still had a place in the hearts of many Malaysian scooter fans.
But will the Solariz be a worthy successor to its predecessors? Or has it overstayed its’ welcome?
The Ego Solariz is basically the entry-level scooter in Yamaha’s extensive line-up of “Dunia otomatik Yamaha” (Yamaha’s automatic world).
It is designed to appeal to the first-time buyer as well as jaded commuters in equal portions. It is good-looking, manoeuvrable, lightweight, economical, has adequate power and also a lot of storage space.
Good looking is subjective at best. But the Solariz never elicited negative comments from anybody I asked (even the pink appeals to ladies, although not me).
The Solariz has a stylish headlight array and integrated turn signals on the front. The rear light is also of a bright, stylish design.
The sharply-designed bodywork is even practical, with easily scratched panels being separate pieces and in plain black plastic. This helps mask any inevitable scrapes that the daily commute entails. The Solariz comes in blue, red, brown and yes, magenta.
Equipment-wise, the Solariz has a large (though shallow) 10litre underseat storage, two small pockets in the front panel, helmet hooks and a useful large hook in the front panel.
However, the underseat storage is not meant for a helmet. It may accommodate a handbag (which was not available to me for testing, honest).
The simple, analogue speedometer has all the usual idiot lights and also an “ECO” indicator (more on this, later).
The rest is usual Ego fare, electric and kick-start facilities, single-shock rear suspensions, front disc brake, rear drum brake, telescopic forks and 14-inch alloy wheels with tubeless tyres.
The Solariz weighs 94kg, helping the scooter to accelerate briskly from the traffic light Grand Prix.
The engine is all new, a “Blue Core” 125cc fuel injection four-stroke, pushing out 7kW at 8,000rpm.
The “Blue Core” moniker is the new generation of engines from Yamaha, with more power while providing economy for an ultimate ride. And the “ECO” indicator in the speedometer informs you when the engine is performing at its sweet “Blue Core” spot, where power and fuel economy is at optimum level.
It is easy to keep pace with traffic while riding within the “Blue Core” range. Throttle response from the fuel injection is excellent, enabling the rider to keep the indicator on continuously, so to speak.
As with previous Egos, the light weight means that the scooter is highly agile and a cinch to squeeze into tight spaces, and weave between mobile obstacles that we call cars.
The wheels are on the small side, so manoeuvrability is essential to avoid potholes. Suspension is adequate for me (5’8”, 65kg) but may be too soft if you are larger.
Seat height is a low, low 750mm, which means skirts can be worn comfortably while riding (but not for me).
The Solariz is equipped with a 4.2litre fuel tank. It may be small, but the extreme economy the Solariz is capable of means a long way between fill-ups - a boon for the cost-conscious commuter.
The fuel injection and lightweight frame contribute greatly to the Solariz’s stellar fuel economy.
In short, the Solariz is a worthy successor to the Ego models. It continues the legacy of lightweight, power, fuel economy and outright practicality, which is the hallmark of a successful scooter.
Only choose pink if you are a girl, or prepare to cover your face with a bandana.