Enjoyable bikes are enjoyable, maybe none extra so than the 2024 Yamaha PG-1, priced at RM6,998 in Malaysia. Yamaha touts the PG-1 as an “outside life-style” kapchai and when the evaluation unit from Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) was handed to us, we have been intrigued as to what it truly is.
Make no mistake, the small bike phase in Malaysia is burgeoning, particularly after Covid-19 and the interminable rounds of motion management orders Malaysians needed to endure. It was throughout that point that many found and in lots of circumstances, re-discovered, the advantages of driving a kapchai or scooter.
Meals supply riders however, there have been quite a few riders getting on small displacement bikes for commuting, operating about and simply usually having enjoyable. As a result of small bikes are enjoyable.
You can also make all of the rempit jokes you want however riders like which might be a small a part of the driving inhabitants regardless of garnering essentially the most media protection. Which has led different riders to undertake a kapchai or scooter for leisure journey and simply usually having enjoyable, as a result of, don’t you understand, bikes are nice for 2 wheel remedy.
This brings us to the Yamaha PG-1, and in Malaysia, its direct competitors, the Aveta Ranger Max. The PG-1 doesn’t fake to be something aside from it’s, a kapchai (underbone bike for you pendants) that’s meant for the rider to exit and benefit from the trip and themselves.
Having obtained the PG-1 from HLYM on the GenBlu centre in Sungai Buloh, the PG-1 we got got here a beautiful Forest Inexperienced, the opposite possibility being Informal Beige and each with seats in hipster brown. Advertising names apart, the PG-1 does exude an air of high quality regardless of its price range worth.
The physique panels match properly and the paint ending is sweet and it’s apparent Yamaha didn’t reduce any corners right here. This intrigued us, as a result of a kapchai this low-cost normally means the producer needed to make financial savings someplace.
The place we discovered it was within the engine, the PG-1 coming with Yamaha’s air-cooled, 115 cc, single-cylinder, two-valve mill. The identical unit is used within the Yamaha EZ115 and beforehand within the Lagenda 115Z.
This isn’t essentially a nasty factor, as utilizing a tried and examined engine, particularly one as fundamental as Yamaha single-cylinder 115 cc engine, makes good engineering sense. The Malaysian market is aware of the engine, components are available and getting assist for service and repairs is definitely finished.
The problem is with making an attempt to get the PG-1 as much as freeway speeds. With 9.0 PS at 7,000 rpm with 9.5 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm, we discovered the PG-1 will attain a most pace of 80 km/h on the flat, 83 km/h downhill.
On the freeway this locations you in imminent hazard of being run over by a Myvi so it will be finest to restrict the PG-1 to slower floor roads and secondary kampung roads when driving out of city. What does depend within the PG-1’s favour is the engine response and gearbox ratios.
Placing the four-speed gearbox into first, there’s a satisfying click on and whenever you twist the throttle, engine response is sweet. A bit sharp for the beginner, maybe, however for many riders, first gear response is sufficient to get going from a cease in an fascinating method.
Driving alongside, we discovered the PG-1’s engine vibration to be at an affordable degree, the engine protesting solely when the throttle was vast open. This was additionally the purpose when the street vibration from the 50-50 knobby tyres was felt.
On the transfer, there was noticeable street noise from the tyres, placing one in thoughts of driving a 4WD fitted with mud tyres. The creator received used to it after some time however some riders would possibly discover it annoying.
When you assume altering tyres would resolve the issue it won’t be a simple repair. Tyre sizing on the PG-1 is 16-inches entrance and rear, with 90/100 knobbies. You may need to perform a little searching to search out premium rubber in that measurement at your nook kapchai vendor.
However, the rubber on the PG-1 truly carried out properly on floor roads and elevated highways. Grip going into the nook was constructive, with good suggestions coming from the entrance forks. Attempt not speeding issues as a result of at its coronary heart, the PG-1 remains to be a kapchai, with all of the shortcomings therein.
Seat consolation is on the minimal facet, with that two-piece seat, coated in hipster brown fake leather-based, performing acceptably for the primary 20 kilometres or so earlier than the rider’s butt begins to really feel it. When you’re planning on driving lengthy distance with the PG-1, put on thicker pants or biking shorts beneath, or discover a good seat upholsterer and add padding.
Braking efficiency is sweet, and by good we imply the entrance brake let the rider know what was occurring always when the brake lever was pressed. The rear mechanical drum brake was sufficient for typical every day driving but when you actually need to throw the anchor out, use the entrance brake.
In fact, the query everybody goes to ask is, “can I take the PG-1 off-road?” Nicely, the reply is sure, perhaps, however there are issues that should be thought of. We did a bit of gentle off-roading with the PG-1 and it was unanimous that you’ll not wish to be doing jumps and railing berms on this.
The PG-1 will deal with a mud street simply high quality and in reality was truly snug and controllable off-road. When issues get sketchy you’ll want to begin dropping tyre pressures to let the knobbies dig in and grip.
Furthermore, the suspension isn’t precisely heavy responsibility and because the signal normally says, “at your personal threat.” Alternatively We are able to see the PG-1 performing properly as a “life-style” bike, which the low value of entry and ease of upkeep and components assist being an attraction.
Yamaha does provide a number of variants of the PG-1 to swimsuit numerous driving “types’, plus official accent packages to “costume up” your PG-1. There are two color choices – Forest Inexperienced and Informal Beige.
One factor to notice, we discovered the standard of construct for the PG-1 to be good. The plastic panels fitted correctly and the end was with out fault, one thing bikes at this market worth level usually are not recognized for.
At its core, the PG-1, with its 115 cc engine, isn’t going to be breaking any boundaries for efficiency and as for appears, that may be a subjective factor. Little question, the PG-1 is meant by Yamaha for a sure sort of rider who rides in a sure manner.
So, who wants a Yamaha PG-1, life-style driving however? The PG-1’s worth level makes it reasonably priced, although on the excessive facet for such a fundamental machine.
Certainly, what you’re paying for is the styling and design greater than the rest, particularly contemplating the Yamaha EZ115 is priced at RM5,698 and presents an identical efficiency. What we did discover is the PG-1 is a greater kapchai than its sibling, or certainly, among the different equal competitors available in the market, as a purely enjoyable bike for the proprietor to place his or her personal identification on it.
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