2011 Yahama Zuma Review
2KOOL4U.com/zuma

This review was done on a brand new un-modified Zuma 50cc after 1000 mile test. The Zuma has a 600 mile break-in period.
2011 Dealer Price about $2,300 out the door
 

Lets start off with a couple problems I ran into. The first time I rode the Zuma I noticed the front brake caliper was rubbing on the brake disc. There was a small projection molded into the aluminum caliper that rubbed on the disc. I've seen other Zuma videos where you could hear the same scraping metal brake sound so it must be common, it may be some kind of brake pad wear indicator but if its rubbing you might want to file that nub down so it don't hit the disc. Also, for taller people needing to sit back further on the seat will find it very uncomfortable due to the small ridge near back of seat which tends to constantly push on your tail bone and the angle of the seat always pushing you forward making a long ride painful. Foot space is limited, your toes need to point slightly inwards and your heels tend to hit the sloped area below the seat which feels a little uncomfortable. The headlights only work one at a time, one is low beam and the other high beam. There's a simple mod to run both headlights together but it will also drain the battery a little faster.

On paved roads it handles like a dream, good acceleration and a very smooth ride. On dirt roads the the 2.5" of suspension travel helps alot and does give a fairly smooth ride but you still need to watch for loose gravel, pot holes and larger rocks. After the 600 miles break-in period you should drain the trans fluid, being the trans get the most wear and tear it would be a good practice to change it each 600 miles. Changing the trans Oil was very easy, there was a 12mm drain plug bolt on bottom of trans and a plastic thumb screw fill plug on top. It only takes 3.8 oz's of trans oil (roughly a 1/2 cup) so a quart will last a long time. The 2-cycle engine oil reservoir holds enough oil to last for 1000 miles before the dash light starts to flicker, you should still have enough oil left in reservoir to go maybe another 200 miles so you don't need to rush when you see the light flicker. One thing I didn't like was the 2 cycle reservoir did not have any way to visually inspect how much oil was in it. Storage space under the seat is very roomy, there was also a tiny tool kit under the seat consisting of a spark plug socket and screw driver, this is also where the gas and 2 cycle oil are filled. There's a small dash compartment in the front faring but anything you put in there will come out looking like it went thru a sand blaster from vibrating around. The battery compartment is located under a panel where you would put your feet, two screws opens the panel. Inside you will find ez access to the battery, spark plug and fuse. General maintenance of cleaning/changing the air filter is not an ez task, many things needed to be removed to get the air filter off.

Incase electric start doesn't work for some reason the Zuma does have a kick start. It also has a small luggage rack on the back if you ever need to strap on a pack of cigarettes :) I've never ran it out of gas to find out if it would get 123 MPG but after 100 miles the gas gauge was on "E" so it probably does get around 123 MPG. When I first got the Zuma it would start instantly without applying throttle, approaching 1000 miles I had to give it full throttle to start it. I changed to spark plug and it started up instantly again without throttle so it would be a good practice to change the spark plug when you change the trans fluid. You dont need to get trans oil or 2 cycle oil from the dealer as you can get it at most any auto parts but when you buy a new Zuma you get a $50 yamaha rebate, I figured Id use the rebate and get it from the dealer. Speeds are from 0-40MPH in like 30 seconds. After 2300 miles now it still runs and drives like the day I got it. The few problems I had with the 2011 Zuma are now fixed on the newer 2012 Zuma.

Specifications

	ENGINE
	Type	49cc air-cooled 2-stroke single reed-valve inducted
	Bore x Stroke	40.0mm x 39.2mm
	Compression Ratio	7.0:1
	Fuel Delivery	14mm Teikei
	Ignition	DC CDI
	Transmission	V-belt automatic
	Final Drive	V-belt
	CHASSIS
	Suspension / Front	Telescopic fork; 2.6-in travel
	Suspension / Rear	Single shock; 2.4-in travel
	Brakes / Front	155mm disc
	Brakes / Rear	Drum
	Tires / Front	120/90-10
	Tires / Rear	130/90-10
	DIMENSIONS
	Length	74.4 in
	Width	27.8 in
	Height	43.7 in
	Seat Height	30.1 in
	Wheelbase	50.2 in
	Ground Clearance	4.7 in
	Fuel Capacity	1.5 gal
	Fuel Economy**	123 mpg
	Wet Weight***	207 lb