2021 Yamaha Fascino 125 Hybrid Review

The Yamaha Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid scooter gets updated for 2021 with new features and technologies. It now gets an updated design, with new colours, new features, including Bluetooth connectivity and a micro-hybrid system which Yamaha says has improved performance. So, does the new micro-hybrid system work, and does it give a marked performance boost? We spent some time with the new Yamaha Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid to see what it offers, and if it makes sense to consider this scooter, which Yamaha says is powerful, yet fuel efficient.

Also Read: Top 7 Features of Yamaha Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid

The overall shape and silhouette of the Yamaha Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid remains familiar, and almost identical to the earlier model. But there are new features, including LED lighting, and an updated instrument console.

Design & Features

The overall shape and silhouette of the Yamaha Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid remains familiar, and almost identical to the earlier model. When the earlier 113 cc model was discontinued, to be replaced only by a 125 cc model, the Fascino had already gone through a makeover. Now, it gets some more updates in 2021, to give it fresh appeal, and to justify the new model "hybrid" suffix. With its curved lines and bold new colours, the Fascino 125 Hybrid comes across as attractive, even though its looks may be the subject of somewhat polarising opinion.

Also Read: Yamaha Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid Launched In India

The LED headlight is all-new and gives the Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid fresh appeal.

There's a LED headlight now, with a strip of daytime running light (DRL), LED taillight, and bright colours. Our test scooter is in a combination of gloss red and matte red, with glossy black inserts on the apron. Fit and finish is quite nice, and there's a 3D Fascino S logo on the bodywork. A small, "Blue Core Hybrid" decal underlines that this is the micro-hybrid model, while the top-end disc brake model comes with Bluetooth connectivity, and UBS, or unified braking system (a combined braking system) is standard.

The digital instrument console gets a speedometer, odometer, trip meter, fuel gauge, and even a rev counter, but misses out on distance-to-empty, and fuel consumption read-outs. The top-spec disc brake variant also comes with Bluetooth connectivity with limited features, including bike locator, hazard on, but no navigation.

The digital instrument console has been updated, and it gets a speedometer, odometer, trip-meter and even a rev counter! Sadly though, there's no distance to empty readings, or a fuel consumption read-out; which would have added more value. Up front there are telescopic front forks, and the Fascino 125 Hybrid runs on a 12-inch front wheel and a 10-inch rear wheel, with a 110 mm wide rear tyre. And to aid in saving fuel during frequent halts in the city, there's an automatic start-stop system, which can be turned off, if required.

The fuel filler cap is under the seat hatch, so refuelling will have to be done after opening the seat hatch, which can be remotely opened from the multi-function ignition key. Underseat storage space is adequate at 21 litres, but there's no standard USB charging socket.

The multi-function ignition key has remote hatch opening, but there's no external fuel filler cap. So, every time you need to refuel, the seat hatch will need to be opened. There's underseat storage space of 21 litres, enough to store a small bag or two, but not enough to store a full-face helmet. The Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid also doesn't come with a standard USB charging socket, even in the underseat storage space.

The 125 cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine with micro-hybrid assist makes 8 bhp of power at 6,500 rpm, but peak torque has increased due to the hybrid assist, by 0.6 Nm, putting out 10.3 Nm at 5,000 rpm

Engine & Performance

The engine is the familiar 125 cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, fuel-injected unit, but with some added shove from the silent-start smart motor generator (SMG). The SMG charges the onboard battery, and provides additional torque, for better pulling power on the hybrid model. In numbers, the Fascino 125 Hybrid makes the same 8 bhp of power at 6,500 rpm, but peak torque has increased due to the hybrid assist, by 0.6 Nm, putting out 10.3 Nm at 5,000 rpm.

With a kerb weight of just 99 kg, the Yamaha Fascino 125 Hybrid has sprightly acceleration, at least till speeds of 60-65 kmph. Maximum speed is just over 80 kmph.

On the move, the Fascino 125 Hybrid comes across as a sprightly performer. It picks up speed quite briskly, and owing to its light kerb weight of just 99 kg, it's easy to manoeuvre, and is easy to handle, within the city. Up to speeds of 60 kmph, the Fascino 125 Hybrid performs flawlessly and the engine's performance is smooth.

Acceleration is sprightly, up till about 60-65 kmph, but the pull from the engine peters out after 70 kmph, and faint vibrations can be felt at high speeds.

It's only after you cross 70 kmph, that you feel some vibrations creeping in, on the handlebar, and the floorboard. And yes, with my 74 kg weight, I could hit a top speed of just over 80 kmph. According to Yamaha, fuel economy has improved as well, and in our estimates, even with sporty riding, the new Fascino 125 Hybrid should return well over 55 kmpl with a single rider within the city.

The seat slopes towards the front and together with the smooth seat texture, it makes for a sliding experience, especially under braking. The slightly tall-ish floorboard also makes the rider triangle feel a little cramped, with the knees folded in, but the feet resting at a slight angle on the floorboard.

Ergonomics & Comfort

The Fascino 125 Hybrid has neutral ergonomics; not too tight, and neither very roomy. For me, the seating position felt a little awkward and took me some time getting used to. The seat slopes towards the front and together with the smooth seat texture, it makes for a sliding experience, especially under braking. The slightly tall-ish floorboard also makes the rider triangle feel a little cramped, with the knees folded in, but the feet resting at a slight angle on the floorboard.

Handling and dynamics are quite predictable, and the Fascino 125 Hybrid offers a balanced and stable package, even when negotiating corners.

Handling is quite predictable and owing to its light weight, the scooter remains planted, even when negotiating turns. The only drawback is the rather low ground clearance. The only drawback is the suspension and the ride quality. As long as you're riding on smooth city roads, there's no problem, but if you have to ride over broken roads, no roads, and potholes, that's when the stiff ride quality makes things uncomfortable. Overall, it's a frugal and light scooter, but from a comfort point of view, the stiff ride quality is a bit of a let down.

The Yamaha Fascino 125 Hybrid offers an attractive option in the 125 cc scooter segment. Its biggest strengths are its low kerb weight, and fuel efficiency.

Price & Competition

The Yamaha Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid is priced from Rs. 72,500 (Ex-showroom, Delhi) for the base drum brake variant, while the top-spec disc brake variant with Bluetooth connectivity is priced at Rs. 78,530 (Ex-showroom, Delhi). At those prices, the base drum brake variant is still more affordable than its main competitors, the Honda Activa 125, the Suzuki Access 125, and even the TVS NTorq 125.

The top-spec, disc-brake variant of the Yamaha Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid is priced at Rs. 78,530 (Ex-showroom, Delhi), while the base drum brake variant is priced at an attractive Rs. 72,500 (Ex-showroom, Delhi).

The disc brake variant of the Yamaha Fascino 125 Hybrid is less expensive than the Honda Activa 125 (Rs. 80,325) and the TVS NTorq 125 (Rs. 78,920), but more expensive than the highest-selling 125 cc scooter, the Suzuki Access 125 Disc, priced from Rs. 77,100 (all prices, Ex-showroom, Delhi).

The Yamaha Fascino 125 Hybrid is the lightest scooter in its class, boasts of very good fuel efficiency, and has a design which will appeal to a wide range of consumers.

Verdict

The Yamaha Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid certainly offers a well-rounded product. It's the lightest scooter in its class, boasts of very good fuel efficiency, and has a design which will appeal to a wide range of consumers. With Bluetooth connectivity, new colours and LED lighting, the Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid has now got fresh appeal, along with the micro-hybrid system.

Ease of use, light kerb weight, and good fuel efficiency makes the Yamaha Fascino 125 Hybrid quite a compelling 125 cc scooter worth considering.

The only drawback is the rather stiff ride quality, which should be okay for use primarily on tarmac. Where it scores is in ease of use, light kerb weight and fuel efficiency; all qualities, which makes it an attractive proposition in the 125 cc scooter segment.

(Photography: Prashant Chaudhary)