THE Cygnus X name has always stood for reliability, ease of riding, low running costs and toughness at an affordable price, and for these reasons it has won many fans as a no-nonsense solution to the urban transport problem. Now Yamaha has produced an all new Cygnus X which is everything the old one was, and a whole lot more! At the heart of the new machine is a new four-stroke single-cylinder engine with a four-valve head. In the quest for exceptional economy Yamaha has also managed to achieve extremely low emissions, thanks to the fitment of an air induction system to help final combustion of the exhaust gas, along with a catalytic converter inside the silencer. In turn, this has helped reduce noise levels, in conjunction with the floating type crankcase cover. Nevertheless, the performance is better, in part due to the ceramic plated cylinder which reduces piston friction and enhances heat transfer, improving overall efficiency. At the same time, engine life and reliability both make gains.

The new chassis is 10 per cent stiffer than before, improving handling and stability, with a more rigid engine mount to give the Cygnus X better manoeuvrability as well as stability. The new suspension has increased the wheel travel by 12 per cent at the front and 19 per cent at the rear to the benefit of comfort and stability, and the front disc and rear drum brake sizes are also increased for improved stopping performance. The rear wheel diameter is increased from 10 inches to 12 inches and a wider 120/70 tyre is fitted to improve ride comfort, grip and stability.

The 7.1 litre fuel tank has been sited beneath the footboard to lower the centre of gravity, while the redesigned filler neck makes refuelling easier. The lighting is taken care of by a larger 60/55W multi-reflector headlight with 5W auxiliary light, and dual multi-reflector tail lights each with twin filament bulbs. The attractive new bodywork proves a scooter built to satisfy the need for low running costs and toughness can still turn heads with its stylishness. It is also a more compact design than before, with reduced overall weight which makes the Cygnus X even easier to ride and more agile than ever.

But there is still a 27 litre storage space beneath the seat, the largest in the class and enough for a full-face helmet plus personal items. The instrument cluster has a fresh new look and includes a fuel gauge and oil change warning indicator. The switchgear has also been renewed to improve ergonomics and style.

The result is a completely new Cygnus X which updates all the best values of the old machine, including economy, running costs, durability and practicality, then adds anappealing new style with even better handling and manoeuvrability.