If you’re interested in the Vino, you may be dreaming of owning a Vespa but don’t want to shell out the extra $1000 for the Vespa name. In Vespa’s defence, you do get some nice features on their scooters that warrant some of the extra cost (like a front disc brake and a computer chip anti-theft device in the key) but yes, you are paying a bit for the name. The Vino (and Honda’s Metropolitan) are specifically aimed at the people who would prefer not to shell out $3000 (in the USA) or $4000 (in Canada) for a 50cc scooter. Both of these scooters offer vintage styling at a lower price and with a modern design (ie. plastic body panels).
After 4 successful years, Yamaha decided that an update was in order to freshen the styling and to meet new emissions regulations. The result of this overhaul was an improved look (at right), a longer name (Vino Classic) and a modern fuel sipping 4-stroke engine. Yamaha gave the updated YJ50 nicer rims, a new font for the logo, a new seat and nicer colors with black trim instead of white and brown (normally). Yamaha also changed the Vespa-esque front suspension design to a more common telescoping fork design.This new look in combination with the quieter and smell free 4-stroke engine gives this scooter a more polished persona.
In the engine compartment, Yamaha replaced the trusty but dated 2-stroke powerplant with a modern fuel injected 3-valve 4-stroke engine, mainly to meet new emissions regulations. The 2-stroke engine found in the 2002-2005 Vino’s was a good performer, but it suffered from the typical 2-stroke problems: smell, sound, pollution, fuel economy and reliability. The new 4-stroke engine didn’t make quite as much power (as you would expect) but the new engine still performs adequately and it offers a host of advantages like significantly improved milage, a longer engine life, lower emissions and no smoke or smell. The top speed with this new engine remained around 40-43mph but it does take a bit longer to get there. 4-stroke 50cc engine’s also aren’t restricted in their stock form like 2-strokes are because the engineers need to squeeze out every drop of power to make the scooter accelerate acceptably. Accordingly, if you have dreams of modifying a Vino 50, I suggest you start with the earlier 2-stroke model.
Writing about the Vino is tough because it’s pretty much exactly like many other scooters in this class. It’s got a nice storage space under the seat for a full face helmet, okay brakes, good quality, nice milage (great milage for the updated 4-stroke version) and shiny chrome bits. These are good qualities but they are shared by many other good scooters like Vespa’s ET50 and LX50 and Honda’s Metro/Jazz. I would have a look at all these scooters and decide based on looks, price and whether you want a 2-stroke or 4-stroke engine. You could also look at Taiwan built scooters like PGO’s Metro, SYM’s Mio 50 and TNG’s Venice, but keep in mind the money you save up front might be lost with the lower resale value.
The 4-stroke Vino does have a better engine than the Honda because it’s a bit faster and gets better milage as a result of its fuel injection and 3-valves (the Honda is a carburated 2-valve engine). Personally I’d give the styling edge to Honda (and Vespa) but that’s your call. They’re all very nice rides.
