Modern Vespa

I saw this on the way back from lunch the other day. I had to hurry so only snapped the picture but didn't try to see what it was. Does anyone know what it is? Looks interesting to me.

It's a Yamaha C3 50cc scoot. A neighbor up the street from me has one.

Beer cooler on wheels.

Looks like a Yamaha C3.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_XF50X

Looks like a Yamaha C3.

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/529/home.aspx

And a review here: http://www.justgottascoot.com/yamahac3.htm

Beer cooler on wheels... love it!

looks like it was the designers day off

Yamaha'a attempt to build something reminiscent of a Cushman - the one scooter brand older than the Vespa. (I suppose they thought - okay, Americans like classics, let's give them a scooter than reminds them of an American classic)

First time I've seen the Peugeot Satelis behind the c^3. I guess that's reserved parking for scooters with mega storage...

Puts the shallow 9-gallon storage of the c-cubed to shame.

I don't think it's that bad a design. It's certain reminicent of the a Cushman - I think it's quite cute. It's also got a tonne of storage space and it's quite economical (110mpg). Oddly Yamaha also produce a grand piano called a C3, I doubt that will fit under the seat and it's also a lot more expensive than the scoot.

The C3 is called Giggle in Europe. Don't giggle when you google, though.

It does look like that motorized beer cooler you see on the redneckish shows.

I like it a lot, for what it is. A guy at work has one for his three mile commute. There's no comparison to an LX though. It's more along the lines of (dare I say it?) a moped.

Now THAT'S funny!

I was always under the impression that the C3 was an homage to the Harley Topper.

The C3 has been my livesaver since I blew up the kitted Z125 and cashed-out the bigger scootin' machines to assist various family in the current economic crunch.

It's liquid-cooled, fuel injected; I have mine registered, plated, and insured since the police here take the "35 mph limit" for 49cc rides very seriously, and it'll hit around 43 on the flats (albeit per the county's trailered 'your current speed is XXX' machine). Reportedly, it can be derestricted witha simple removal of a spacer, but I've never bothered. I'm 5'11" and weigh 181.

Hills and inclines are another matter, but it does well enough to get the grocery shopping and all other errand-running done.

I've had Tomos mopeds; I find nothing about the C3 to be moped-like. It also has the most comfortable seat I've ever found on a scoot, a most appreciated feature since I like to go for looooong, slow rides.

It's been just dead reliable; I guess part of the appeal is that there ain't nothin' else like it, ugly notwithstanding.

The C3 has been dropped from the Yammie line, but I hear talk that the drive-train has been used for the new 49cc Zuma. It won't be the performance equal of the old 2T Zuma, of course, but it'll be smooth, more reliable, and perform well enough for most.

Check out this epic trip on a C3

http://scootercanada.weebly.com/

Now that's just tooooo Zen: 2-up on a C3 across Canada

I had a yamaha C3 before my MP3. It isn't bad for a 49cc scooter. I liked the under seat storage and gas mileage. Liked the scooter, but I wouldn't get another yamaha.

I have seen some people go two up on the C3, but it is only a single rider scooter.

I like the C3. it's a bit slower but the gas mileage and storage rule.

2-up for long rides sounds...painful. And painfully slow!

I love my Zuma (and rode it today to keep it fresh!) but compared to a Vespa or a Genuine, it does feel a bit more loose.

Ah the C3. The other 50 to do Cannonball. Good good bike, faster than my Ruckus by a bit.

C3's are pretty cool. When I had my Ruckus and Met I rode with one a few times downtown and he loved it. For those we all had 49cc so it wasn't bad really.

Thanks for the link, pretty cool trip!

I don't know why, but I actually quite like it!

I've only seen one C3 around the Tech campus about a year ago. I've stopped into 4 Yamaha dealerships in the area & nobody had one. 3 dealers didn't stock them but could order them in. The Midland Dealer stocked them but would sell out quickly.

I get the impression Yamaha does'nt put much faith in them and I keep expecting them to disco the C3 every year. It seems they were created to compete with the Ruckus anoither 50cc scoot that does quite well. Instead Yamaha pushes the zuma even introducing a 4 stroke version last year
and the T-max for the Maxi crowd.

I always felt that if Cushman were still making scooters all these years this is about where they'd be in styling. If Yamaha was to introduce a 125cc model it would probably sell better but that might cut into the cooler space. It's a shame that this bike has never taken off here in the states. Its one of the most unique models out currently.

The C3 has the same engine as the Vino. They're very reliable, it's just that Americans are not always practical folk. We want sporty looks and knobby tires, even if it's @ the same speed as a Zuma. The Zuma sells consistently well. The vino is a decent beast, I think they're taking a year off of making them to let the stock run out.