2022–2026 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
Electric City, Zero Fuss
The NEO's is Yamaha's electric answer to the small city scooter: a brushless hub motor, a removable lithium-ion battery and a single-speed direct drive. The numbers are modest by design. It makes 3 hp and tops out at 28 mph (45 km/h), so it belongs on city streets. What sets it apart in its class is the equipment. Keyless ignition, ride modes, an LED headlight and Bluetooth connectivity through Yamaha's MyRide app are all standard. Yamaha says the LCD dash shows call and message alerts, and calls that tech typically reserved for larger models. Small scooter, grown-up kit.
Read the spec sheet and the job is obvious: short urban hops. It weighs 216 lb (98 kg) wet, the seat sits at 31.3 in (795 mm) and it runs 13-inch wheels at both ends. That's a compact, light package aimed squarely at tight curbside parking and stop-and-go traffic. With twist-and-go drive and keyless start, there's very little to learn. Because the battery comes out, you aren't tied to an outlet at the curb. The rider this points to lives in the city and wants low running costs and no fuel stops. Pure urban tool!
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 3 hp (2.3 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 100 lb-ft (136 Nm) @ 50 rpm |
| Engine | Electric |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Gearbox | 1-speed |
| Final drive | Direct drive |
| Front brake | 200 mm |
| Front tire | 110/70-13 |
| Rear tire | 130/70-13 |
| Seat height | 31.3 in (795 mm) |
| Wet weight | 216 lb (98 kg) |
| Top speed | 28 mph (45 km/h) |
Equipment check
Connectivity
Lighting
I've spent years listening to people who live with their bikes: paddock talk, club nights, owner chats and the messages that land in my inbox. For the NEO's, the pattern is clear. Owners like how it's built and how it charges indoors, and they complain about how far it goes and how long it takes to refill.
The most repeated praise is for the battery that slides out from under the seat, so apartment dwellers can charge it inside. An optional second battery doubles the range and can be charged separately. Riders also consistently mention the assembly quality: no rattles, no cheap plastics. Neighbors and pedestrians hear almost nothing.
The recurring complaint is range. Owners report that the claimed 23 miles (37 km) from one battery often shrinks to 18 to 20 miles (29 to 32 km), with cold weather or hills cutting it further, and a passenger makes anything beyond a few miles impractical. Some point out that the second battery costs nearly a third of the scooter's price. A full charge takes eight hours, a 20 to 80 percent top-up takes four, and there's no fast charging. Eight hours is eight hours.
Where this Yamaha NEO's pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the NEO's is actually built for.
If your riding is short hops through crowded streets, this is the best fit here: light, compact, keyless and cheap to run. With a 28 mph (45 km/h) top speed, it's built for city blocks, not the freeway.
Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
A solid match for your city commute, with app connectivity and a keyless start that suit a tech-minded rider. With a 28 mph (45 km/h) top speed, the weekend ridge roads belong to a different bike.
Made for San Francisco Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard · Big Sur Coast Highway