[Test Ride] The Return of the Cygnus X! With a full model change, its acceleration has improved, making it even more capable!

The “XC180 Cygnus,” which debuted in 1982 as Yamaha’s first four-stroke scooter, was renamed the “Cygnus 125” in 1984 after its engine displacement was increased to 125cc. Following several model changes, the “Cygnus X” made its debut in 2003.In 2021, it evolved into the “CYGNUS GRYPHUS,” featuring the first liquid-cooled engine in the Cygnus series. However, with this latest full model change, the “Cygnus X” name has been revived for the first time in five years! It has evolved into an even sportier model.

Text: Hiroyasu Ogawa; Photos: Yuko Koizumi

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A full model change themed “A Return to Agile Sports Performance”!

The new design emphasizes sportiness by incorporating motifs on the front sides reminiscent of a racing machine’s wing. In addition to the white model shown in the image, the lineup includes blue and matte dark gray, for a total of three colors.

Without compromising the environmental performance of the water-cooled, 4-stroke, 125cc “Blue Core” engine, the CVT’s weight rollers have been lightened from 11g to 9g, and clutch performance has been optimized. This improves acceleration, particularly off-the-line performance.Furthermore, the air cleaner has been downsized without compromising intake efficiency, and the diameter of the muffler’s tailpipe has been increased to produce a powerful, low-frequency sound. The tailpipe has also been made slimmer by reducing the size of the protector and narrowing the gap from 20 to 10 mm.

The Cygnus X features a newly designed frame. It has been tuned to ensure smoother vehicle handling while riding.

The frame is a new design; the thickness of the right-side tube has been increased from 2.0 to 2.3 mm to optimize overall rigidity balance, while longitudinal rigidity has been improved by approximately 19%.To complement this, the rear suspension spring rate has been softened from 14.5 to 12.8 N/mm, achieving both a supple ride and excellent shock absorption. Furthermore, a Traction Control System (TCS) has been newly installed to support stable riding on wet roads and slippery surfaces such as mud and gravel.

The front wheel rim width has been reduced from 2.75 to 2.5 inches, and the tire width has been changed from 120 to 110. To accommodate this slimmer profile, the front suspension inner tube has been extended by 5 mm, achieving a good balance of shock absorption, road-following performance, and nimble handling.

Compact projector-style headlights have been newly adopted. Brightness has increased by 150%, and the beam range has been significantly expanded from 5 to 9 meters (18 meters total, left and right combined). The LED taillights follow the traditional horizontal design of the Cygnus series and, together with the LED turn signals, ensure excellent visibility.

Features that were well-received on the Cygnus Glyphus—such as the Smart Motor Generator (SMG), which integrates the starter motor and generator, and Variable Valve Actuation (VVA), which adjusts the intake valves from low to mid-to-high RPM at 6,000 rpm—the approximately 28L under-seat storage, and the Unified Brake System (UBS)—which activates the front brake automatically when the rear brake (left lever) is applied—have all been carried over.The USB Type-A port has been replaced with a Type-C port that supports fast charging, and the capacity of the front pocket has been expanded to accommodate a 700 mL container.

With this full model change, the fusion of practicality and sportiness has evolved even further.As the signature characteristic of the Cygnus series—the ability to “balance commuting and sporty riding”—has become even more pronounced, the model has once again been named the Cygnus X.

The headlights are compact, high-intensity projector-style LEDs. There are two low-beam lights and one high-beam light in the center. The “X”-motif layout emphasizes the bike’s compact design.

The taillights feature a horizontal design with the brake light in the center. Visibility is excellent thanks to the all-LED design, including the turn signals. Hazard lights are also included.

The newly adopted 4.6-inch LCD instrument cluster features an automatic dimming function. The tachometer and fuel gauge are displayed in yellow for easy visibility. It can also display the remaining range.

The seat base has been redesigned and the cushioning material revised to improve ride comfort. The shape of the front edge of the seat has been optimized, making it easier to plant your feet on the ground.

The under-seat storage compartment has a capacity of approximately 28L. With a load capacity of 5kg, it can accommodate even an XL-sized full-face helmet. There’s also enough room for rain gear.

It features a USB Type-C port compatible with QC3.0 fast charging, a pocket that holds a 700 mL drink, and a convenience store hook with a load capacity of 1.5 kg. On the left is the fuel filler cap; the tank capacity is 6.1 L.

The new frame expands foot space by 15–25 mm, offering greater freedom of riding position. The board angle has been changed from 54° to 42° to reduce strain on the ankles.

The tandem footrest position has also been set 59 mm further back, improving comfort for the passenger and helping to reduce fatigue.

The front tire has been downsized from 120/70 to 110/70 for more agile handling. The front disc brake has been enlarged from φ245 to 267 mm.

The rear disc measures φ230 mm. Optimizing the lever ratio has reduced the force required to engage the brakes by 37%, making it easier to finely control braking power.

Checking the ground clearance of the Cygnus X

The rider is 172 cm tall, and the seat height is 785 mm—the same as the Cygnus Griffas. The footwell is more spacious, offering significantly greater freedom in where to place your feet.

Although the heel of one foot is slightly off the ground, it’s easy to touch down, and since the bike is lightweight, there’s no concern about ground clearance. I can definitely feel that the riding position offers greater flexibility.

The rider is 156 cm tall. Although her heel is off the ground, she commented, “It’s easy to put my foot down, and since the bike isn’t heavy, I don’t feel any anxiety.”

“The ground clearance is the same as the Cygnus Griffas, but I can tell my legs don’t have to spread as wide. That’s probably due to the change in the shape of the front edge of the seat.”

It accelerates out of turns quickly, and its sporty “turn-and-go” handling is class-leading

I couldn’t really feel the effect of the slimmer front tire, but the bike is easy to lean into corners and offers stable cornering—traits it inherits from the Cygnus Glyphas. Added to that is the speed of the new engine.

The Cygnus X is a full model change from the Cygnus Gryphus, with an overall width increased by 25 mm, overall length reduced by 70 mm, overall height reduced by 35 mm, and a curb weight of 126 kg—an increase of 1 kg.I tried pushing and pulling the bike without starting the engine; the overall size felt almost unchanged, the center stand engaged smoothly, and I didn’t notice any impact from the increased weight.

The Blue Core engine in the Cygnus X idles at about 1,600 rpm. When I gradually opened the throttle to find the clutch engagement point, I found that the clutch engages at 3,000 rpm.However, in a realistic situation—such as pulling away behind a vehicle in front—when I opened the throttle to achieve practical acceleration, the engine speed surged past 6,000 rpm (where the VVA switches) and shot straight up to 7,000 rpm. This is likely the result of reducing the weight of the weight rollers from 11g to 9g.The engine’s sharp response and quick revving have improved compared to the Cygnus Griffin, and I felt that acceleration after the torque kicks in has become smoother as well.

The front tire has been made slimmer to achieve nimble handling, but to be honest, since the Cygnus Gryphus already handled quite nimbly, I didn’t notice any major difference.However, I could definitely feel that the handlebars didn’t wobble during acceleration from a stop or while riding on fast-moving main roads, and the handling was neutral—light and nimble yet stable—making the bike easy to control through corners.

Although the front suspension’s inner tube has been extended by 5 mm and the rear suspension’s spring rate has been softened by about 12%, the ride is smooth on well-maintained paved roads, keeping the bike’s posture level. Even when riding with a passenger, the bike’s movements don’t become excessive, and it feels firmly planted.On the other hand, when subjected to strong impacts—such as when passing over larger bumps—I did feel a slight stiffness. I rode with the traction control turned on this time, but the rear wheel maintained good road grip, and the traction control never activated. Braking force increases the more you squeeze the front and rear brake levers, and the levers are light to operate.The rear brake is linked to the front brake, but both front and rear brakes are easy to control, providing a high level of confidence.

The Cygnus X has an engine character that allows it to operate within the VVA range even in city driving, with quick revving. While it generates strong torque right from idle—a riding feel that contrasts with the ease of a big bike that can accelerate quickly on low revs alone—it also offers the enjoyment of being able to rev it up cleanly to high RPMs.

In addition to VVA, the Blue Core engine is equipped with SMG for quiet engine startup. It achieves a high level of balance between sporty performance and environmental efficiency.

The air cleaner has been downsized to emphasize a sporty design. The CVT’s weight rollers have been modified to improve acceleration from a standstill.

The gap between the muffler and the muffler protector has been reduced to 10 mm for a sleeker look. The tailpipe diameter has been enlarged to produce a deep, rich sound at low speeds and a full-bodied, low-frequency resonance at high speeds.

At 6,000 rpm, when the intake valves switch to the mid-to-high-rpm configuration, “VVA” appears in blue on the instrument panel. The valve switching is smooth and feels natural.

Ideal for those who want a sporty ride even during commutes or trips to the store

The engine’s quick rise in RPM translates to strong acceleration even in city traffic. With an engine that enters the power band immediately, the ride feels quite sporty.

In terms of acceleration from a standstill, the air-cooled 125cc “Fazio,” equipped with motor-driven “power assist,” has a slight edge; however, once the practical torque kicks in, the Cygnus X has the upper hand in terms of acceleration.When opening the throttle further under demanding conditions—such as exiting corners, climbing hills, or passing other vehicles—acceleration becomes slightly slower compared to flat terrain. However, the engine doesn’t hit a wall but delivers one final surge, and torque continues to build, so you’re unlikely to feel frustrated.Furthermore, once the engine speed reaches the VVA operating range, even if you reduce the throttle to a partial opening (an opening where engine braking isn’t too strong), the engine speed doesn’t drop suddenly, making it easy to maintain your pace and giving the ride an immediate sporty feel.While it may feel difficult to ride practically unless you rev the engine up to the VVA operating range, this sporty ride quality—achieved through a full model change centered on the theme of “a return to agile sports performance”—is precisely what defines the Cygnus X.

For those who don’t find the quick acceleration—which rapidly reaches the VVA operating range—too hectic, and who want to ride sportily even during commutes or shopping trips, the Cygnus X is the perfect choice. It features storage space under the seat for a full-face helmet, a pocket on the front panel that holds a 700 mL drink, a convenience store hook,a USB Type-C port on the front panel—making it the perfect choice for commuters. It’s also highly recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy Yamaha’s signature sportiness on a scooter.

To match the slimmed-down front wheel, the inner tube has been extended by 5 mm. This achieves both nimble handling and excellent road-following performance.

The spring rate has been softened by approximately 12%, and the suspension features a 4-stage preload adjustment function. The red finish on the springs and brake calipers is exclusive to the Japanese model.

The three-dimensional Cygnus X emblem is also a special feature exclusive to the Japanese market.

The front underside cover and muffler protector feature a forged carbon-look textured finish to emphasize the bike’s sporty appearance.

Cygnus X Key Specifications

・Overall Length × Width × Height: 1865 × 715 × 1125 mm
・Wheelbase: 1340 mm
・Curb Weight: 126 kg
・Engine: Water-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valve, single-cylinder, 124cc
・Maximum Power: 12 PS / 8,000 rpm
・Maximum Torque: 1.1 kgf·m / 6,000 rpm
・Fuel Tank Capacity: 6.1 L
・Transmission: V-belt continuously variable transmission (CVT)
・Brakes: Front = Disc, Rear = Disc
・Tires: Front = 110/70-12, Rear = 130/70-12
・Price: 389,400 yen