Yamaha India has launched a new 125cc commuter, Saluto, which is being marketed by the manufacturer as an economical and practical Indian family motorcycle.
The Yamaha Saluto has been launched in India priced at Rs. 52,000/- (ex-showroom, Delhi). It has a typical commuter design having the Yamaha DNA with styling cues derived from its cousins. The front profile shows angular headlamp design integrated well to the front cowl. The overall black theme, which has been used on the 5-spoke alloys, exhaust pipe, engine compartment and suspension springs looks tasteful. The rear also gets a sharp design and the overall profile looks upmarket for a commuter in this segment.
Powering the Yamaha Saluto is a new 125cc engine that has been developed on their Blue Core Engine Development ideal. The new 125cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder motor produces 8.3 PS of maximum power at 7000 RPM with 10.1 Nm of peak torque at 4500 RPM, mated to a 4-speed transmission. It has a more compact combustion chamber when compared to the previous 125cc engines made by Yamaha. The Japanese bike maker claims that the new engine makes the Saluto the lightest motorcycle in its class, weighing 112 kgs. The light weight of the Saluto further makes it more frugal, returning a claimed fuel efficiency of 78 km/l.
The Yamaha Saluto gets 130 mm drum brakes both at the front and rear. It is developed on a diamond frame having a 2035 mm length, 700 mm width and 1080 mm height. The wheelbase measures 1265 mm and it has a ground clearance of 180 mm. The suspension consists of telescopic forks up front and swingarm for the rear. Fuel tank capacity is 7.6-litres. Yamaha is betting big on the Saluto and expecting large volumes from the new 125cc commuter bike. Yamaha believes that the 100-125cc segment is the largest category comprising of 83 percent of the market.
