Yamaha Ray ZR 125 FI BS6 Street Rally First Ride: Exciting Features & Sporty Design!

We were fortunate enough to test the new Yamaha FI Scooter a few days before the official launch.

In a typical Yamaha fashion, the new FI scooter brings in design refresh, new features, and a new 125cc BS6-compliant FI engine.

We are still in the middle of the testing process for the Full Review. In the meantime, we’re going to give out our First Impressions.

Yamaha Ray ZR 125 FI Street Rally price in Nepal is Rs. 2,54,900.

We got a chance to review the Street Rally version, but it is also available in the Standard version coming across two variants: Disc and Drum. As for the pricing, Yamaha Ray ZR 125 FI price in Nepal is Rs. 2,29,900 (Drum) to Rs. 2,44,900 (Disc).

If you compare it with the Yamaha Fascino 125 FI, that’s about Rs. 5,000 more expensive. Moreover, if you look at other 125cc scooters in the segment, the pricing is… expensive.

You can only wonder if it is a wise decision to put your hard-earned cash on something so alien and expensive.

Worry not! We’ll go into all the tiny details in our Full Review.

But today, we’ll try to assess if the new Yamaha Ray ZR FI is worth what it claims to be!

Yamaha Ray ZR 125 FI Street Rally First Ride

Sporty Design

The BS6 norm comes as a breath of fresh air, allowing companies to experiment and update the design on their popular offerings.

While the competition might play it safe with the design, Yamaha goes all-out every time. It is one of those rare qualities of how Yamaha put itself in forefront of the FI Technology, from motorcycles to scooters.

In any case, the new Ray ZR FI goes for a radical new design concept.

Based on the “Armored Energy” concept, it looks and feels sportier with a hint of aggressive edges. The new design gives off a tough look.

Compared to the predecessor, the newer version comes across with tougher styling and sharp character. It’s more puffed and smoothed out now, rather than flat and pointy.

Let’s start with the front section.

Okay, there are a lot of elements on the front alone. Moreover, these new elements help scooter feel more modern than ever.

You’ll notice three new changes: Y-Shaped LED DRL, Stylish Hand Guard, and Blacked Out Visor.

The new Y-Shaped LED DRL is one of the most noticeable parts of the Ray ZR. It looks like an encrusted diamond, which looks very epic at night!

Unfortunately, these are the only LEDs you get. Besides the LED DRL, the rest of the lighting system is still halogen bulbs.

Moving on, it also gets a new blacked-out visor under the LED DRL. It doesn’t have a functional purpose, but it looks cool though.

In terms of new changes, the side indicators have been moved from the side of the headlamp to the handlebar. The side indicator styling follows up on other available sporty scooters like the TVS NTorq 125 and Aprilia SR 125.

Another list of new changes includes a tougher looking headlamp, smoothed out handguard, and overall refined design.

Well, those changes were just in the front.

Moving to the side, you’ll notice yet another design refinement along with the two-level seat, redesigned side panels, grab bar, and exhaust.

Finally, we get to the rear section.

Compared to the front, the rear section doesn’t go crazy with new changes. It gets an improved M-shaped tail lamp.

ALSO READ: Yamaha Scooters Price in Nepal: Features and Specs

Super Punchy 125cc Engine

Yamaha Ray ZR 125 is powered by a new BS-VI compliant, 125cc, Yamaha Blue Core FI engine.

It can generate a max power of 8.2PS at 6500rpm and max torque of 9.7Nm at 5000rpm.

Yamaha claims that the new engine comes with a 30% power increase and 16% mileage improvements, with 0-60 Kmph pickup in just 7.59 seconds and 58 Kmpl fuel efficiency.

If you look at the spec sheet, it resembles much of the specs with the Yamaha Fascino 125. The similarities include performance numbers, suspension setup, and braking setup.

Theoretically, this would mean that there is a high probability of replicating the same experience we already had in Fascino 125.

We will be sure to test it out in the Full Review.

Additionally, Yamaha Ray ZR 125 FI also gets Yamaha FI exclusive features like Smart Motor Generator, Side Stand Engine Cut Off, and Start-Stop System.

Loaded Features

Yamaha Ray ZR 125 FI comes with new looks, new features, and a 125cc new engine.

While the overall features might not seem a lot, it is pretty loaded compared to the previous Ray ZR 110.

Let’s take a quick glimpse at the features on offer.

Yamaha Ray ZR 125 Feature Highlights

• Fastest Pick Up in the Segment
• Y-Shaped LED Position Light
• Full Digital Instrument Cluster
• Lightweight Body at just 99 kgs
• Better handling with Telescopic Suspension
• Improved braking performance with Unified Braking System (UBS)
• 21L Large Under-Seat Storage
• Multi-function Key Switch
• Two Level Seat
• Blocked Shaped Tyres with Sport Red Stripes
• Dual-Tone Colors with Sporty Graphics
• Brushed Hand Guards
• USB Charging (Optional)

Yamaha Ray ZR 125 FI vs Yamaha Fascino 125 FI: Feature Differences

Yamaha Nepal currently offers two 125cc FI scooters: Ray ZR 125 and Fascino 125.

Despite the difference in look and style, there are few instances of part sharing with one another.

Both share features like 99Kg Kerb Weight, Multi-Function Key Switch, Two Level Seat, UBS Braking, Front Telescopic Suspension, and 125cc FI engine.

Except for those instances, Yamaha Ray ZR comes with more modern features like Digital Instrument Cluster, Sporty Design, and a slightly tuned engine.

In contrast, the Yamaha Fascino comes with retro features like Analogue Instrument Cluster and Curvy Design.

Yamaha Ray ZR 125 FI Street Rally vs Yamaha Ray ZR 125 FI: Feature Differences

I am confident that this comparison won’t confuse people as much as the comparison between the Ray ZR Standard Model and Ray ZR Street Rally Version.

The Standard Model and Street Rally Model share the same engine, same performance, and the same features. However, the Street Rally gets a brushed handguard, dual-purpose tyres, and sporty dual-tone color finish.

That being said, it is entirely up to you to see if those three additional features justify that extra price for the Street Rally.

First Ride Experience

Finally, we come to the First Ride Experience.

As of this writing, I’ve only ridden the scooter for about 3-4 hours, in normal traffic conditions.

Starting with the performance, the Ray ZR does share a similar riding experience with the Fascino engine.

It does give off a punchy performance, remaining relatively silent even under pressure. So far, no signs of engine vibrations, even at higher speeds.

Yamaha Ray ZR is capable of pushing past the 70Kmph limit with relative ease. However, the scooter feels best in the 40-60Kmph speed range.

Is this a sign of a reworked engine? Yes.

Moving to the suspension setup, it gets a front telescopic front suspension and rear mono swing arm. The setup does seem softer at times, absorbing most of the impacts from the potholes and bumps.

Yamaha Ray ZR feels flick-able in tight spots, providing perfect balance at lower speeds as well.

The sporty Yamaha scooter also gets a Unified Braking System (UBS) along with the Front Disc and Rear Drum configuration.

It is a bit confusing to see Yamaha offer the Standard Model with Front Disc for Rs. 2.44 Lakhs. Whereas, the Street Rally model priced at Rs. 2.54 Lakhs still gets the same configuration.

It should’ve been a Dual Disc!

Talking about the braking experience, it feels accurate although the rear lacks that extra bite. With a 3-4hours experience, braking is confidence-inspiring.

However, I did encounter a few spots where, just pressing on a single brake, locked up a wheel.

So far, no complaints about maneuvering, braking, and performance.

But I do not like that Yamaha still doesn’t offer LED lights in any of their scooters.

Aren’t these supposed to be scooters of the future? Forgive me. But, it didn’t feel futuristic with the yellow halogen bulb.

Likewise, the 5.2-liter fuel filler is situated under the seat, which is very disappointing.

In any case, Yamaha Ray ZR 125 FI brought out my memories of riding the Yamaha Fascino 125 FI.

While the Fascino wasn’t very exciting at least for male riders, Ray ZR does offer exciting features alongside sporty design.

This has been our Yamaha Ray ZR 125 FI: First Ride. We will go into more detail in our Full Review article. So, stay tuned for that!

READ NEXT: Yamaha Fascino 125 FI Review: Stylish and Practical!