The Japanese version has a secret under the "seat"! Yamaha's new 125cc scooter "Fazio

The new 125cc scooter Fazio (Fazzio), to be released on April 24, features a retro and fashionable design that has never existed on existing Yamaha moped scooters. We have already provided an overview in our first report, but we will provide a second in-depth, pinpointed article based on information obtained at the media presentation.

First appearance in Japan in terms of platform

The Yamaha Fazio, officially announced for Japan this time,is Yamaha's best-selling model in the Asian region,launched in Indonesia in 2022. It was also displayed in Japan at the 2025 Osaka/Tokyo Motorcycle Show, and now it has made a full-fledged arrival in the country.

YAMAHA Fazzio (368,500 yen)

The key point is the retro and pop design, but it is also important to note that this is the first introduction in Japan as a platform. There are currently five models of Yamaha motor scooters in Japan (NMAX, Cygnus Griffas, Axis Z, Jog 125, and Tricity 125), but none of them have the same configuration as the Fazzio, with 12-inch front and rear tires, a step-through design, and a fuel tank located under the seat.The Fazio shares its platform with the "MIO GEAR" series sold in Asia, and is the first model in this line to be introduced in Japan (the Fazio also goes by the name "MIO FAZZIO" locally).The MIO series is said to have a versatile platform, with 14-inch wheels compared to Fazio's 12-inch wheels.

YAMAHA Fazzio

Pictured here is the MIO GEAR S, available in the Philippines, an advanced model in the MIO series with 14-inch wheels and a smart motor generator and other features not found on the STD.

Why not call it a "hybrid"?

Also noteworthy on the Fazio is the "power assist function," in which the motor assists the engine for three seconds when starting off. The "SMG (Smart Motor Generator)," which integrates the starter motor and generator into a single unit, has been given the additional role of assisting the engine...a mechanism that is also being introduced for the first time in a Yamaha vehicle to be sold officially in Japan.The idea of using a motor to assist the engine is similar to that of the Honda PCX Hybrid (now discontinued) released in 2018, a system similar to a mild hybrid on four wheels. Currently,Fazio also calls itself a hybrid, depending on its point of orientation (however, Fazio is not equipped with a dedicated battery for the motor, etc.).

The SMG has a motor directly attached to the crank that both starts the engine and generates electricity. In Fazio, it also assists the engine.

For this reason, some countries call it "HYBRID" in overseas specifications.

So, why not call it a hybrid in Japan... Well, in Japan, the image of a strong hybrid like the Toyota Prius is strong, so the mild hybrid-like Fazio (Japanese version) avoided the expression. The author and others who are not so sophisticated are not interested in hybrids. The lowly author might be tempted to think that simply calling it a hybrid would increase sales by 30%, but perhaps this is a sign of Yamaha's earnestness.This power-assist system is said to be more powerful than its 125 cc displacement when starting off, so we have high expectations for it. Another important point is that, despite the use of such a mechanism, the weight is only 97 kg, only 2 kg more than that of the Jog 125, the simplest of Yamaha's motor scooters.

Under the seat is an "exclusive" feature for the Japanese version!

It is also worth noting that the Japanese-spec Fazio has an enlarged met-in space under the seat. While the Indonesian version has 17.1 liters, the Japanese version has 19.1 liters, which is 2 liters more.This is due to the fact that a genuine Yamaha YJ-14 jet helmet must be installed in order for the model to be introduced in Japan.

Helmet tucked under the seat of the Fazio (Japanese spec).

The YJ-14 ZENITH (16,500 yen) is the basic product among the genuine Yamaha (Y's Gear) jet helmets. It comes in five colors and two sizes, M and L. [/caption

For this reason, a Japan-specific part with a large gouge on the back side (=met-in side) was introduced into the seat base to expand the space mainly in the vertical direction.The urethane in the seat is thinner due to the gouged base, but this is compensated for by raising the seat height to a level that does not compromise leg room (750 mm for Indonesian specs, 765 mm for Japanese specs).Of course, the met-in box itself is also a Japan-specific part, and it is quite interesting to note that it has been made exclusive for the Japanese market in some unexpected areas. Of course, the exhaust emissions and lights have also been modified to meet Japanese regulations.

The seat base of the Japanese version of the Fazio has been rounded off at the arrow to increase the space under the seat in the vertical direction.

In order to gain the urethane thickness that was cut by the seat base change, the seat height is slightly increased, but the shape is designed so as not to worsen legroom.

Despite feeling larger, the wheelbase is 60 mm shorter than that of the Cygnus Glyphus, 1280 mm, which is about the same as the Axis Z at 1275 mm, and the seat height of 765 mm is lower than those two vehicles. At 170cm tall, the heels of both feet are a few centimeters above the ground, but the light weight of the vehicle does not cause any uneasiness. (Rider height 170 cm, weight 70 kg)

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One-off model created by an illustrator

A collaboration with illustrator utu was also announced at this year's presentation. A total of eight illustrations of Fazio and a woman were created, and a special model with utu's coloring was also introduced.The two-tone blue and ivory color scheme, with pinstripes running along the exterior edges and plating on the undercarriage and other details, is so atmospheric that it is hard to believe that it was designed by a womanwhodoes not ride a motorcycle.The bike will be on display at the Yamaha E-Ride Base (Yamaha's showroom for hands-on experience of Yamaha's sport electric bicycles) in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, starting on March 10.

Illustrator utu and her design of Fazio. The drawing in the background is also by utu (can be seen on the Fazio page of the Yamaha website).

The engine cover, rear fenders, mirrors, and steering wheel grips are coordinated with the chrome finish. The center garnish in brown color is also effective along with the seats.

utu also designed the coloring of the helmets.

Image gallery (13)

The Japanese version has a secret under the "seat"! Yamaha's new 125cc scooter "Fazio

2026.3.12

The new 125cc scooter Fazio (Fazzio), to be released on April 24, features a retro and fashionable design that has never existed on existing Yamaha mo...