Yamaha RW350

The 2027 Yamaha RW350 is an adventure-style maxi-scooter that combines the practicality of a conventional scooter with styling and equipment inspired by adventure motorcycles. It is positioned as the entry point into Yamaha's all-new adventure scooter lineup, with a focus on everyday usability, touring comfort and versatility.

Price: Yamaha has not announced the price of the RW350 yet, but it won’t be cheap by any means. As for its India launch, that’s not likely to happen any time soon.

Design: The Yamaha RW350 looks unlike anything we’ve seen from the brand. The high-set dual projector LED headlight has a rather smooth cowl that extends all the way to the sides. There are lots of blacked-out elements on the lower portion of the bodywork, with brushed metal highlights showing off its go-anywhere genes. The seat has been designed to allow riders to move forwards and backwards easily, particularly when riding over uneven surfaces. Its tapered front section also makes it easier to reach the ground. Overall, the RW350 combines its adventure-oriented design rather well with practical elements such as underseat storage, a comfortable riding position and a potent engine for fun riding off the beaten path as well as office commutes.

Features: The Yamaha RW350 gets a 5-inch full-colour TFT instrument console with smartphone connectivity through the Yamaha MyRide app. It also supports Garmin StreetCross navigation, allowing riders to access full-map or turn-by-turn navigation along with real-time traffic information. Other features include cruise control, a Smart Key system, USB Type-C charging, LED lighting and auto-cancelling turn indicators. The scooter also gets a three-flash lane-change indicator function and Emergency Stop Signalling (ESS), which activates the indicators during sudden braking. The RW350 gets three riding modes: Street, Explore and Eco. These modes adjust engine power delivery and traction control characteristics according to riding conditions. Practicality is taken care of by spacious underseat storage with integrated lighting, which can accommodate a full-face helmet depending on its size and shape. The scooter also gets foldable footboards, wide footpegs with removable rubber inserts and a versatile seat designed to allow riders to move around more easily when tackling uneven terrain. A skid plate is also provided to protect the underbody when riding over rough terrain.

Engine: The Yamaha RW350 is powered by an all-new 327cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, four-valve SOHC engine. It produces 29.2PS at 7,000rpm and 31.5Nm of peak torque at 5,750rpm. The engine is paired with a V-belt automatic transmission. One of its biggest highlights is Yamaha Dynamic Ride, a new engine and transmission layout developed specifically for this scooter. Unlike conventional scooters, where the engine and transmission move together with the rear suspension, the RW350 has its engine rigidly mounted to the frame, while the CVT unit pivots around the crankshaft. This is claimed to help reduce unsprung weight and improve chassis stability. It also gets a four-axis balancer to minimise engine vibrations and improve riding comfort. Yamaha claims a mileage figure of 28.6kmpl.

Suspension, Brakes & Other Details: The Yamaha RW350 uses a diamond-shaped, high-tensile steel tube frame. Its suspension setup comprises a 37mm inverted front fork with 140mm of travel and twin rear shock absorbers offering 105mm of travel. The rear shocks also get seven-step preload adjustment. For braking, the scooter gets a 282mm front disc and a 245mm rear disc. It rides on 16-inch front and 14-inch rear cast alloy wheels, wrapped in Dunlop D615 block-pattern tubeless tyres. The RW350 has a ground clearance of 185mm (pretty decent for a rugged scooter), and a seat height of 810mm (a bit on the taller side, but shouldn’t be a concern for most European riders). It weighs 192kg (wet) and gets a fairly generous 13-litre fuel tank.

Rivals: The Yamaha RW350 will compete with other premium adventure-oriented scooters in the mid-capacity segment. Its closest rival is the Honda ADV350.

Variants: The 2027 Yamaha RW350 has been introduced as a single model, with no multiple variants.