Would the Yamaha Zuma make a good rival to the Honda ADV 150?
We sure wish Yamaha brought this scooter to the Philippine market.

It goes without saying that Honda brought on a full force hype train with their acclaimed ADV 150 scooter. Coming in as a breath of fresh air in the densely populated scooter segment, the ADV 150 offered one striking selling proposition that other scooters didn’t–off-road capability. Granted, the Honda ADV 150 is by no means a lean, mean, off-road machine — it is at least capable of comfortably tackling gravel roads and Metro Manila’s less-than-ideal road conditions. This is evidenced by the sheer number of these scooters you see plying the roads, despite a rather steep sticker price of P149,000.
That being said, it would appear that Honda is currently the only manufacturer to offer a small displacement scooter capable of mild off-roading. However, in other markets, Yamaha was first to the game with the Zuma. Starting production all the way back in 2002, the Zuma recently received a major stylistic update making it look like a rugged, go-anywhere machine worthy to challenge the mighty Honda. Starting life 18 years ago, the Zuma was initially launched with a 49 cc, two-stroke engine. In 2009, it underwent a major evolution and was now powered by a 125 cc, four-stroke motor — similar to what powers the current-generation machine.
As it would turn out, the Zuma, also known as the BW’S in certain markets and it's developed quite a following among scooter enthusiasts with a penchant for adventure. At the moment, Yamaha’s rugged little scooter is available only in Japan, South Africa, Taiwan, and North and South America. Unfortunately for us, Yamaha doesn’t have any plans of bringing the Zuma 125 into the local market, thereby allowing the Honda ADV 150 to remain as the undisputed king of low-displacement dual sport scooters...for now.
Tagged Under
Related Articles
-
Yamaha debuts the new Grand Filano retro-style scooter in Indonesia / News
Yamaha presents its newest neo-retro scooter in the Indonesian market, the Grand Filano.
-
Check out Yamaha’s fancy new colorways for the XSR155 / News
Yamaha has debuted the 2023 XSR155 in Indonesia in four striking new colorways. We sure hope it comes to the Philippines soon.
-
Yamaha seems set to unveil the hotly anticipated YZF-R9 at EICMA 2023 / News
Yamaha seems to be gearing up to unveil the new YZF-R9 at EICMA 2023.
-
Yamaha’s Cygnus Griffus scooter could be perfect for Manila’s busy roads / News
Yamaha Motor Japan has launched the Monster Energy edition of its popular Cygnus Griffus scooter in the Japanese market.
-
Yamaha’s Advanced Motorcycle Stability Assist System makes its debut / News
Yamaha debuts its new Advanced Motorcycle Stability Assist System, also known as AMSAS to help minimize accidents.
Latest News
-
South Bikes Community holds successful Bike Night in Alabang Town Center / News
South Bikes Community held another Bike Night in Alabang Town Center on January 26, 2023.
-
Is CFMOTO working on a V4-powered superbike? / News
CFMOTO is reportedly developing a new V4-powered superbike, according to recent patent applications in China.
-
Moto ACCS opens its second branch in Greenhills, San Juan / News
Autohub has recently inaugurated the second branch of Moto ACCS, an all-in-one motorcycle gear and accessories shop in Greenhills, San Juan.