Fun bikes are fun, perhaps none more so than the 2024 Yamaha PG-1, priced at RM6,998 in Malaysia. Yamaha touts the PG-1 as an “outdoor lifestyle” kapchai and when the review unit from Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) was handed to us, we were intrigued as to what it actually is.
Make no mistake, the small motorcycle segment in Malaysia is burgeoning, especially after Covid-19 and the interminable rounds of movement control orders Malaysians had to endure. It was during that time that many discovered and in many cases, re-discovered, the benefits of riding a kapchai or scooter.
Food delivery riders notwithstanding, there were a number of riders getting on small displacement motorcycles for commuting, running about and just generally having fun. Because small bikes are fun.
You can make all the rempit jokes you like but riders like that are a small part of the riding population despite garnering the most media coverage. Which has led other riders to adopt a kapchai or scooter for recreational travel and just generally having fun, because, don’t you know, motorcycles are great for two wheel therapy.
This brings us to the Yamaha PG-1, and in Malaysia, its direct competition, the Aveta Ranger Max. The PG-1 does not pretend to be anything other than it is, a kapchai (underbone motorcycle for you pendants) that is meant for the rider to go out and enjoy the ride and themselves.
Having received the PG-1 from HLYM at the GenBlu centre in Sungai Buloh, the PG-1 we were given came a lovely Forest Green, the other option being Casual Beige and both with seats in hipster brown. Marketing names aside, the PG-1 does exude an air of quality despite its budget price.
The body panels fit well and the paint finishing is good and it’s obvious Yamaha did not cut any corners here. This intrigued us, because a kapchai this cheap usually means the manufacturer had to make savings somewhere.
Where we found it was in the engine, the PG-1 coming with Yamaha’s air-cooled, 115 cc, single-cylinder, two-valve mill. The same unit is used in the Yamaha EZ115 and previously in the Lagenda 115Z.
This is not necessarily a bad thing, as using a tried and tested engine, especially one as basic as Yamaha single-cylinder 115 cc engine, makes good engineering sense. The Malaysian market is familiar with the engine, parts are readily available and getting support for service and repairs is easily done.
The issue is with trying to get the PG-1 up to highway speeds. With 9.0 PS at 7,000 rpm with 9.5 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm, we found the PG-1 will reach a maximum speed of 80 km/h on the flat, 83 km/h downhill.
On the highway this places you in imminent danger of being run over by a Myvi so it would be best to confine the PG-1 to slower surface roads and secondary kampung roads when riding out of town. What does count in the PG-1’s favour is the engine response and gearbox ratios.
Putting the four-speed gearbox into first, there is a satisfying click and when you twist the throttle, engine response is good. A little sharp for the newbie, perhaps, but for most riders, first gear response is enough to get going from a stop in an interesting manner.
Riding along, we found the PG-1’s engine vibration to be at a reasonable level, the engine protesting only when the throttle was wide open. This was also the point when the road vibration from the 50-50 knobby tyres was felt.
On the move, there was noticeable road noise from the tyres, putting one in mind of driving a 4WD fitted with mud tyres. The author got used to it after a while but some riders might find it annoying.
If you think changing tyres would solve the problem it will not be an easy fix. Tyre sizing on the PG-1 is 16-inches front and rear, with 90/100 knobbies. You might have to do a little hunting to find premium rubber in that size at your corner kapchai dealer.
Notwithstanding, the rubber on the PG-1 actually performed well on surface roads and elevated highways. Grip going into the corner was positive, with good feedback coming from the front forks. Try not rushing things because at its heart, the PG-1 is still a kapchai, with all the shortcomings therein.
Seat comfort is on the minimal side, with that two-piece seat, covered in hipster brown faux leather, performing acceptably for the first 20 kilometres or so before the rider’s butt begins to feel it. If you’re planning on riding long distance with the PG-1, wear thicker pants or cycling shorts underneath, or find a good seat upholsterer and add padding.
Braking performance is good, and by good we mean the front brake let the rider know what was going on at all times when the brake lever was pressed. The rear mechanical drum brake was enough for typical daily riding but if you really need to throw the anchor out, use the front brake.
Of course, the question everyone is going to ask is, “can I take the PG-1 off-road?” Well, the answer is yes, maybe, but there are things that need to be considered. We did a little light off-roading with the PG-1 and it was unanimous that you will not want to be doing jumps and railing berms on this.
The PG-1 will handle a dirt road just fine and in fact was actually comfortable and controllable off-road. When things get sketchy you will want to start dropping tyre pressures to let the knobbies dig in and grip.
Moreover, the suspension is not exactly heavy duty and as the sign usually says, “at your own risk.” On the other hand We can see the PG-1 performing well as a “lifestyle” motorcycle, which the low cost of entry and ease of maintenance and parts support being an attraction.
Yamaha does offer several variants of the PG-1 to suit various riding “styles’, plus official accessory packages to “dress up” your PG-1. There are two colour options – Forest Green and Casual Beige.
One thing to note, we found the quality of build for the PG-1 to be good. The plastic panels fitted properly and the finish was without fault, something motorcycles at this market price point are not known for.
At its core, the PG-1, with its 115 cc engine, is not going to be breaking any boundaries for performance and as for looks, that is a subjective thing. No doubt, the PG-1 is intended by Yamaha for a certain type of rider who rides in a certain way.
So, who needs a Yamaha PG-1, lifestyle riding notwithstanding? The PG-1’s price point makes it affordable, though on the high side for such a basic machine.
Indeed, what you are paying for is the styling and design more than anything else, especially considering the Yamaha EZ115 is priced at RM5,698 and offers identical performance. What we did find is the PG-1 is a better kapchai than its sibling, or indeed, some of the other equivalent competition in the market, as a purely fun motorcycle for the owner to put his or her own identity on it.
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