Yamaha Ray ZR 125 Street Rally

Overview

Yamaha has refreshed its 125cc lineup with the new Ray ZR 125 Street Rally, introduced in August 2025. Aimed at city riders who want a sporty-looking, easy-to-ride scooter, this version blends the Ray ZR’s proven practicality with rugged, rally-inspired styling and smart hybrid tech to boost efficiency and response.

Engine and Performance

Powering the Street Rally is Yamaha’s air-cooled, 125cc Blue Core fuel-injected motor paired with a hybrid assist system. The setup delivers 8.2PS at 6,500rpm and 10.3Nm at 5,000rpm. The Smart Motor Generator (SMG) provides electric assist for cleaner, quieter take-offs, while the Stop & Start System shuts the engine at idle to save fuel and restarts instantly when the throttle is opened. With a kerb weight of just 99kg, the scooter feels lively off the line and is well suited to darting through traffic. Real-world economy is a core strength—Yamaha claims up to 71.33km/l under test conditions—helped by the hybrid assist and FI mapping. A smooth V-belt automatic transmission keeps the ride fuss-free in dense city conditions.

Design and Styling

The Street Rally’s character is all about attitude. It wears a muscular front apron with a distinct Y-shaped LED DRL and an LED headlamp, plus a small visor for a sportier profile. Knuckle guards, block-pattern tyres, contrasting graphics, and rim tapes reinforce the “rally” persona. Its compact footprint—1,880mm long, 750mm wide, 1,190mm tall—combined with 145mm ground clearance and a 1,280mm wheelbase gives it a confident, planted stance without feeling bulky.

Comfort and Everyday Usability

Yamaha has tuned the ergonomics for daily comfort. The well-cushioned seat and breathable (mesh-style) cover help on longer commutes, while the accessible seat height accommodates a broad range of riders. There’s 21L of under-seat storage for a helmet or daily carry items, and the 5.2L fuel tank reduces fill-up frequency. Small conveniences add up: a multifunction key slot with shutter lock, pass switch, side-stand engine cut-off, and clear instrumentation with speed, fuel, odo/trip info and a clock make it hassle-free to live with.

Ride, Handling and Safety

A telescopic fork up front and a rear coil spring handle the rough stuff typical of city roads, keeping the ride stable and predictable. Tubeless tyres (90/90-12 front, 110/90-10 rear) add grip and resilience against punctures. Yamaha’s Unified Braking System (UBS) links braking effort to help keep the scooter composed and shorten stopping distances, especially useful for newer riders. Full LED lighting improves visibility day and night, and the side-stand cut-off prevents unintended starts.

Technology and Features

- Smart Motor Generator (SMG) assist for smoother, quicker launches
- Automatic Stop & Start to reduce fuel use and emissions in traffic
- LED headlamp, DRL and indicators for modern looks and better visibility
- Y-Connect smartphone pairing for alerts, ride data and basic navigation prompts
- 21L under-seat storage for practicality
- UBS linked brakes and side-stand engine inhibitor for safety

Price and Positioning

Positioned against popular 125cc rivals, the 2025 Ray ZR 125 Street Rally is priced competitively (typically in the ₹79,000–₹93,000 ex-showroom band, depending on city and variant). It targets riders who want more visual drama than the average commuter scooter, without sacrificing light weight, efficiency, or reliability. In this space, it lines up against the Honda Activa 125, TVS Ntorq, Suzuki Avenis, and Aprilia’s sporty 125s—but stands out with its hybrid-assist feel and rally-themed design cues.

Verdict

The latest Yamaha Ray ZR 125 Street Rally wraps city-friendly performance and superb mileage in a distinctive, adventure-leaning look. The hybrid assist and Stop & Start tech make tangible differences in traffic, the chassis is nimble, and the features list hits the sweet spot for everyday use. For riders who want a scooter that’s frugal, fun, and visually bold, the 2025 Street Rally is a compelling pick in the 125cc segment.