Do not refer to it as a scooter, the Yamaha Y15ZR is classified as a small-displacement underbone motorcycle. If you have experience riding in Southeast Asia, you are likely familiar with this type of bike; however, if not, you may mistake it for something else.
But it is not. This motorcycle has gears and is distinctly a motorcycle, albeit a small-displacement one. The Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) has had an Underbone racing category since its inception in 1996. As bike displacements available from OEMs have increased, so have the displacement categories.
The Yamaha Y15ZR is a 150cc model from the factory. Like many race bikes, this one has been heavily modified for more power, improved brakes, better suspension, and more. Therefore, competing against a KTM 390 Duke may not be as challenging as initially thought.
KTM freestyle stunt rider Rok Bagoros organized a four-part challenge, including three gymkhana-style slow-speed skills challenges around cones followed by a standing-start best-of-three drag race.
The first gymkhana challenge involved a slalom, the second featured slow-speed circles, and the third required racing to the end of the strip, drinking an energy drink, showing it was empty, and then racing back to the start.
How did it all turn out? I will not spoil it for you, but I can say that it was a close competition. Unfortunately, the weight difference between the competitors and the current weight of the bikes are not disclosed. Additionally, it would have been helpful to have actual times for all challenges displayed onscreen.
Nevertheless, it was all in good fun, and the outcome may surprise you. Do you think you could do better? Share your thoughts in the comments.