A perfect 2001 Vino from the Yam valley

By SARA TEMPLETON

The new 2001 Vino from Yamaha has a lot going for it. We all know how popular the Euro models, such as Vespa, Aprilia, Piaggio et al, have been, so how are the Japanese models faring?

If you can't beat them, join them. It seems that's what the engineers at Yamaha were thinking when sculpting their latest scoot.

The new Vino not only sounds Italiano, it also looks like an old Euro scooter.

The new model comes standard with a 49cc two-stroke air-cooled engine. The automatic transmission means that riders of all abilities, even bad ones, should have no trouble with this little puppy.

It weighs in at 68kg with no fuel in the tank. The Vino can hold slightly more than seven litres of fuel and to call this little scoot efficient would be evil. With such an engine 10-times smaller than your average car, and more environmentally friendly too, the Vino is the ideal choice for those sick and tired of waiting in city traffic.

However, the Vino will be doing it tough on the freeway, so the best bet to steer well clear of such routes.

Slowing the Vino down is taken care of by drum brakes at the front and rear. Yamaha is also keen to get the point across that the Vino needs little maintenance.

As you can see from the photos, the Vino comes in two colours: black and the aptly named wine. The Vino is launching in the US in February and will likely arrive on local shores by the end of the financial year.

If you're sick and tired of waiting in traffic that never seems to end, and would like a parking alternative, then the Vino could be just the ticket.

No Australian price is available as yet.