I initially had a chance to ride the new Yamaha Mio Gravis in a small test ride area right after its public launch. Immediately, I was impressed with its refinement, peppy throttle response, and surgically precise handling. Such attributes easily justify the Mio Gravis’ rather steep price tag of ₱93,900.

In fact, I was so smitten with the Mio Gravis that I was among the first to ask Yamaha Motor Philippines for a loaner unit. After spending a couple of weeks riding it in the real world, I discovered there’s more to the Mio Gravis than meets the eye.

Lighter than it looks

With its chunky panels and meaty tires, the Mio Gravis appears like a heavy scooter at first look. Yet, it only weighs 102 kilograms, even with a full gas tank. When I opened the throttle, I immediately realized how light and flickable the Mio Gravis is. It also probably helps that the fuel tank is placed under the floorboard, as this keeps the center of gravity low.

Sportier than the Mio Sporty

The 7 kW and 9.5 Nm output of its 125 cc Blue Core engine is unremarkable on paper. Still, the Mio Gravis is significantly zippier than its sibling, the Mio Sporty, despite being bigger and heavier. I give credit to the smaller 12-inch wheels for that. Consequently, the suspension is on the firm side to make it more suited to spirited riding.

Little cargo hauler

With the fuel tank out of the way, the Mio Gravis is afforded a 25-liter under-seat storage capacity. The compartment under the seat will fit most types of helmets (as it should!) as long as you place it upside down. It is also wide enough to accommodate various items. On the other hand, the floorboard can serve as a cargo bed, and it is wide enough to fit a sack of rice, and it’s not your average gulay board.   

Not for the throttle-happy

The new Mio Gravis is a bit more thirsty compared to its 125cc siblings in the Mio stable. I got an average of 30 kilometers per liter in exclusive city riding. The low fuel mileage might have been my doing because I ride with the Start & Stop System (SSS) switched off most of the time. I found it a little too eager, and it would sometimes shut off the engine while I was still rolling to a stop or slowly filtering through stationary traffic. Maybe there’s just timing to it.

Yamaha admits that the Mio Gravis is not for everyone and caters to a particular group of riders. Would you say that the Mio Gravis is your cup of tea?