The legendary big wheel returns in a new contemporary look with assisted pedaling and two versions: an e-bike and a moped
5 maggio 2023
Rightly considered one of the most representative models of the scooter boom of the 1990s, the Booster is destined to return to our cities with a totally different and contemporary look. Of the illustrious predecessor remain the name and the slightly swaggering attitude of those who would like to break the mold and climb everywhere, first of all sidewalks. The fat wheels remain but otherwise there are no aesthetic references to the past also because Yamaha’s new Booster is quite another thing: it now has pedals!
For Yamaha it’s time to put the Booster
A certain resemblance to an already existing product will certainly not have escaped the most attentive: the Fantic Issimo. In fact, this project is also part of the series of strategic agreements between the two companies and it is Fantic who creates this model for Yamaha just like MBK in the 1990s. The new Booster arrives at a time when the Japanese manufacturer has decided to launch the strategy it has called “Switch On” which began with the debut of the first fully Yamaha e-bikes which “only” took place in 2022 when in reality the House has been in the electric mobility sector for over thirty years. In fact, let us remember that if the modern e-bike exists it is largely thanks to Yamaha which is today among the main and most refined producers of motors for pedal assistance. Of course, on the new Booster we find a compact and rather light engine (2.85 kg) Yamaha PW-S2 and this important detail differentiates it from its cousin Issimo which mounts a Bafang motor instead. But let’s get to know the Booster in more detail, or rather the Boosters because there are two of them.
Two versions: 25 or 45 hours
You can choose between the pedelec version Booster Easy and the S-pedelec Booster. For those who are less familiar with these terms, we explain immediately. The first is a pedal assisted bike therefore it follows the rules of the road for bicycles and the assistance “breaks” at 25 hours. S-Pedelecs, on the other hand, do not have this limit and can therefore be registered as mopeds with a maximum speed of 45 km/h. Thus they become L1e and therefore require an AM license or higher, road tax, insurance, helmet, arrows, mirrors. Beyond this, in both cases we find the fat 20″ x 4″ tires and the height-adjustable saddle. The PW-S2 motor has a torque of 75 Nm and a very smooth power delivery also thanks to Yamaha’s “zero cadence” technology which provides immediate assistance as soon as pressure on the pedal is detected. The automatic assist mode provides additional electric assistance when needed, for example uphill or in headwinds, to make the driving experience easier and more enjoyable. Then there is the zero mode which deactivates the motor assistance and the Walk Assist mode when we need to get off and push our Booster to cross pedestrian areas for example. The other assistance modes are +ECO, ECO, STD and HIGH.
The battery is well 630 Wh and is quick-release and easily accessible in the center of the vehicle. Typical range with a 75kg rider is up to 120km in
+ECO mode and up to 60 km in HIGH mode. Booster has a 2.8″ color dot matrix TFT display in the center position and by the switch
separate control. Information displayed includes battery capacity, riding speed, assist mode, range, clock, distance traveled, cadence, calories burned, and time. By connecting your smartphone via Bluetooth, you can access a range of fitness and navigation apps to enhance the overall driving experience. The BOOSTER Easy model features Yamaha’s easy-to-read A-display interface, with a 1.7-inch LCD screen. The basic design features integrated buttons and always-on information, which includes a speedometer, battery capacity indicator and assist mode, as well as selectable odometer, odometer and range indicator.
Deliveries will begin in the summer and the price has not yet been communicated.
