Yamaha Alpha User Review--1000 km Report. Review on Yamaha Alpha

1000Km report followed-

I bought this vehicle after much deliberation. My heart was with yamaha and my head was with Honda. You can't really  ignore some features like CBS braking, Anti-theft magnetic key lock and last the front brake lock. But having used the Honda Dio over some period I thought trying something like vespa or yamaha.

But clearly vespa being the best scooter, let down by the pricing. cannot afford that much instead opted for the yamaha alpha. After all yamaha makes the some of the best engines in the world not only two wheelers but four wheeler engines for ford, volvo and luxury car for toyota brand and serious racing cars. So cannot go wrong with choosing  yamaha.

But ironically pick up of the Alpha is less than the honda dio or Activa and its refinement also doesn't matches the honda. But I believe it will become better after the first two services.But the vehicle build quality is better than honda.

Ride is firm, it will inspire confidence. Being a vehicle with comparatively low ground clearance than the honda. it never scratches its bottom on the bumps, but hondas do. I experience it in the Dio with my wife in back.

Overall the vehicle is good. On highways it will give a confidence u dont get in hondas.  The power build is linear and not in par with the hondas.

I have no complaints, actually I love it the linear power delivery. I never tried above 60 kmph. Since its clearly mentioned in the manual no to try the accelerator more than 1/2 and don't run the engine continuously more than I hour within the first  thousand kilometer. This type of driving will allow the engine to get tuned for better mileage and life.

FE is around 44Kmpl in mixed driving conditions and most of the time with pillion. hope it will improve after the first two services. But the mileage of the Dio without the HET was between 38 to 42 at best. 44Kmpl is more than reasonable in the congested traffic in kochi.

But I have to tell u this, the buying experience wasn't the best one. Yamaha needs to sort out this issue. Having said that one of the  main reason which compelled me for booking Yamaha is the sales team attitude of Honda team(Muthoot).

I must tell you, u wouldnt walk into  there next time unless u dont have any other option. Its that worse.They dont welcome, they dont care why u are there, they dont give a proper price quotation or split up.ST came with a figure Rs.61, 500/- but they were reluctant to show the split up.

One more thing OTR of Yamaha Alpha was Rs.56500+850 for foot rest and floor mat+free full tank petrol and 50% reduction in Helmets. But they don't show you the good ones. Always go for the  other OEMS. Comparatively Yamaha(PSN) sales was better.

They dont have all the spares available in the show room. They need to work on their inventory. I hope service will be better.

1000Km report-

From 200Km to 1000 Km, by using Full tank method, mileage was 44km, 45km, 49km & 49km in 4 occasions averaging 47.5km. Entire drive was in mixed conditions(80% city+ 20%Highway) with pillion rider most times.

After the first servicing at 900 Km, the vehicle has become much smoother and refined. The NVH levels were much improved. I think the changing the oil is behind the new found smoothness.

I'm also expecting an increase in mileage. But theres no increase in performance, the vehicle is best enjoyed when driven at steady speed above 40km, below it NVH levels are high. Beyond 40 km its pretty much like the hondas and is very smooth, in fact its a much better highway vehicle than a city mover.

The cold start feature is not at all needed so far. Unlike most hondas where it is required often. Luggage box can easily swallow a XL sized full sized helmet Steel grip zone model. Still most of the accessories for the Alpha are not available. Ride is on the stiffer side when travelling alone, but with a pillion rider its much better than the other peers. will update with the mileage figures after oil change soon.

15, 000 km report:

FE is around 45km.

Engine is as smooth as butter. I think the vehicle suffers a little while going doubles. Best part of the scooter is I never ever used the kick starter till now. Off course one time where I was away for one month and I have to use the kicker. Rest of the time its just a press. Apart from Horn switch and indicator switch malfunction due to corrosion in monsoon climate, there wasn't any major issues. Cleaning the contact points in the switches is enough for making them ok. You can do it yourself or take it to the service centre. I think they wouldn't charge anything. Spark plugs were replaced during 12, 500 Km service. Old spark plugs were replaced by Nickel spark plugs to give better life. The same is available across all the new models as "Blue core". Running and service cost is very low. But service centre are not up to the mark.

One major short coming I noticed is that they don't even have handle grips, spare luggage hook  or any kind of accessories. Yamaha's service & support is not their strongest selling point. Lets look at the brighter side Yamaha as a product.