Are you ready to Boost your ride? Yamaha BOOSTER launch | FIRST RIDE

Back in early 2022 Yamaha set out their mission to diversify their two-wheeled range and revealed their new ‘Switch ON’ strategy. 

In March of the same year, we were at the launch of their new NEO’s electric scooter in Amsterdam. Then they introduced the Moro 07, Wabwash and Crosscore eBikes.

Earlier this week we were back in the land of windmills and bicycles to ride their latest, funkiest additions – The BOOSTER Easy eBike and BOOSTER S-pedelec. Colourful electrically assisted eBikes that will help jazz up any city and put fun into your commute.

It may seem like Yamaha were late to the electric bike party but you’d be wrong, they were one of the eBike pioneers and launched their first model 30 years ago. Since then, their drive units have been sold to many other manufacturers to power other brands of electric bike. Yamaha also plans to be carbon neutral by 2035.

Where does it fit in?

Although many scooter and bike riders are also into cycling (myself included), we don’t usually feature eBikes on ScooterLab but one of these machines is classed as a moped for the UK market, so we feel it needs to be shown. That UK legislation may well make it a hard sell for Yamaha dealers in Great Britain, just for the fact that you need to wear a ‘proper’ motorcycle helmet for the full-power BOOSTER version (pictured above), it also needs to be registered, taxed, insured and be fitted with a number plate. You’ll also have to MOT it when it’s three years old.

The Easy option

The BOOSTER Easy just falls into the same rules as an ordinary eBike so is a much simpler option and is likely to be the model that will do well for Yamaha.

Sounds familiar?

Clued-up ScooterLab readers will remember the iconic BOOSTER name from the past. The Yamaha BW’s and MBK Booster (both owned by Yamaha) were best sellers in Europe (over 1m units from 1995-2000). They encapsulated younger riders who yearned for freedom, fun and excitement. Yamaha has reimagined that ethos and given the Booster a new identity for greener 21st-century living. Look at the image above and you can see that the designers have taken some styling cues from the original.

Both of the new models are the same in design, with that sexy die-cast aluminium exoskeleton frame, hidden cabling, fat 20-inch-high profile bike tyres and a great quality finish. They’re also available in two colour options, Cyan Solid Aqua and the Dark Grey Metallic pictured above. The overall package sets them apart from anything else on the market.

Although identical in looks and running gear there are a few differences between the two models though.

BOOSTER Easy

• The BOOSTER Easy has its power limited to 15mph to satisfy standard eBike regulations
• That means you don’t have to have insurance/registration etc.
• Children from the age of 14 can ride one legally in the UK (12 in Europe)
• The Easy comes with Yamaha’s tried and tested premium PW-S2 drive unit and a 630 Wh 36-volt battery
• It has a range of between 60-120km (depending on running mode, terrain and rider weight)
• Yamaha has set the torque ratio of the drive unit to 50% for +ECO mode, it goes up to 280% in HIGH mode (you also get the choice of ECO, STD and HIGH – all selected by buttons on the digital screen

BOOSTER S differences

• It’s limited to 28mph and is pretty much a pedal-assisted moped for all intents and purposes
• To ride one you’ll either need a full car licence (passed before Feb 2001), or a moped licence
• Range is between 50-110km
• This version has its torque ratio set at 60% in ECO+ and that increases to 400% in HIGH mode
• It also gets a rear-view mirror, brake light and horn

Tech and Connectivity

BOOSTER Easy gets a bicycle-style 1.7” LCD dash with functions including speed, battery capacity, assist mode, trip meter, odometer and range. Cadence is set manually to suit the terrain using the inner rotating part of the right-hand grip.

TFT screen

Both bikes get front and rear lights but the BOOSTER S also gets a few extras, including the centrally mounted 2.8” full-colour dot matrix TFT display with a separate handlebar-mounted control switch. It’s a fully functioning display with battery capacity, speed, assist mode, clock, trip distances, cadence, calorie consumption and time. You can use a range of fitness and navigation apps once connected to your smartphone.

Which helmet?

In this feature, you’ll see us riding the Easy in a Pedelec-specific cycle helmet (any cycle helmet is ok though) and the BOOSTER S in a motorcycle lid. Having sustained head injuries whilst cycling in the past I’d never personally ride a cycle or pedelec without a decent crash helmet and gloves. Mine saved my life.

How and where can I buy one?

Yamaha are operating an “Omnichannel distribution system” to deliver a seamless buying experience. Using a new e-commerce platform, working in tandem with their new network of eBike Experience Centres. These are operating within Yamaha’s existing dealer network, customers can visit a dealer to see the bikes up close. They can take a test ride and seek any advice they may need.

You can buy one at the shop, or buy online later and arrange home delivery, or pick the bike up from your local dealer. This system is designed to allow customers to get some face-to-face contact with the dealer if they wish, or buy virtually if not.

BOOSTER will also be available using the Yamaha MYGarage app which allows you to add any extras and ‘build’ your new bike virtually before ordering.

Amsterdam is one of the most cycle-populated areas in the world and even though it’s very flat you can quickly see that lots of eBikes have taken over from scooters and mopeds in the city. In fact, The Netherlands equates to 52% of European eBike sales. It’s obviously a big market for Yamaha to tap into and the BOOSTER is different enough for it to gain a good footing if it’s marketed correctly.

Colour options

Although the vibrant ‘Cyan Solid Aqua’ paint finish may not be everybody’s cup of tea (I quite liked it), there is a Dark Grey Metallic version available as well. I think this eBike should appeal to a broad spectrum of riders, from teens to middle-aged and beyond. It’s easy to use, has the quality you’d expect from Yamaha and it looks good.

BOOSTER Easy

We started off the day riding the Easy. I’ve ridden quite a few eBikes in the past so know that they still feel very similar to riding an ordinary pedal cycle. Of course, the electric assist means your pedal power is rewarded by extra torque. For each stroke, you get more power than your own legs can produce, a bit like having turbo-powered legs.

Manual or Auto

The BOOSTER is turned on by a button on the dash and you can select manual or auto transmission (manual is done electronically using the up/down selectors on the handlebars) but to be honest I left it in auto for most of the day. On the right-hand grip there’s also a cadence selector to turn so your legs can keep pace with the riding situation/terrain. You can also select the various power modes on the dash, I opted for HIGH but also tried it in the others. They basically dumb the power down to help save battery, not that you really need to – the range is very good and the battery is easily removable for home charging.

Safety approved

It’s worth noting that the Yamaha power pack is tested and approved for use, unlike some Far Eastern budget eBikes that have caused house fires due to their dodgy construction/materials (here’s London Fire Brigade’s warning).

Made in Europe

The Yamaha battery and bikes are manufactured in Europe at Motori Minarelli/Fantic in Italy. This of course reduces the environmental impact further and means quality control is excellent.

Time for a BOOST

We were soon dodging in and out of the chaos of Amsterdam’s morning traffic. Not that you see too many cars on the roads there. It’s mainly cycles, eBikes, cycles with forward-facing kiddie carriers, scooters, more bikes and for this particular day a swarm of bright green BOOSTERS ridden by enthusiastic journalists and influencers. We headed into the back alleys and canalside avenues where things were a lot more peaceful.

The Booster is actually very easy to get along with and good fun to ride. The extra power given by the motor makes life much easier if you’re not a fitness fanatic but want to ride to work. It still allows you to feel like you’re doing something healthy and positive, in fact you are but it’s an easier form of exercise.

Although restricted to 15mph the Easy is quick enough in the city and there’s an option to drop it out of electric power and pedal faster for downhills if you choose.

Fat tyres

I’ve never ridden a ‘Fat bike’ but those 20-inch by 4-inch balloon tyres make a huge difference to the ride quality. Amsterdam has lots of cobbles to contend with and despite only having front suspension (rather than full suss) it coped very well and the bike felt comfortable. A ‘proper’ padded seat helps as well, rather than the usual razor blade you get on most cycles. The front forks are adjustable by the way.

Our 13.5km BOOSTER Easy route took us through the city via the scenic way, around the museums and galleries, through parks and by lots of canals, we even crossed the river on one of the free ride-on, ride-off ferries. All of it was very enjoyable and fairly easygoing. It helps to ride a bike in a city where 2-wheels rule over everything else. You really are the king of the road on a bike in Amsterdam.

BOOSTER S

After a lunch stop in a cosmopolitan area of the city, we swapped over to the full-power BOOSTER S. This version gets the larger full-colour TFT dash and the extra bits and pieces to make it compliant with moped regulations. Of course, the power and top speed also increase but visually you have to know what you’re looking at to spot the difference between this and the Easy. I’m not sure anybody in England would challenge you on one of these if you were riding without a number plate or licence/insurance etc. Especially when there are already so many illegal stand-up eScooters being ridden on our roads.

Easy or BOOSTER S?

If I was doing a regular commute of less than 20 miles a day I’m pretty sure I’d opt for the Easy version to save the legislation and hassle associated with the full power version. If I had a longer commute on faster roads than you typically get in a town or city then the BOOSTER S would be a better choice. Although, if I needed to go down the insurance/licence route I’d probably opt for an electric scooter like the Yamaha NEO’s instead.

Not everybody needs a ‘proper’ scooter though and for many with no drive, shed or garage, storage space is a problem. The 36kg Booster can be wheeled or carried into a house or flat. It even has a handy carry handle at the back of the seat.

Motor home?

Of course, these bikes make perfect sense for anybody needing some lightweight transport to go into a motorhome or boat.

Accessories

Yamaha has already developed a range of BOOSTER-specific, easy-fit accessories to increase the usability and appeal of the bike. With stylish front and rear baskets, waterproof shopping bags, inner bags and side panniers the BOOSTER can carry enough stuff for the working day and allow you to do some shopping on the way home. There’s also a cover for the bike frame (not that I’d want to hide that detail). I’m sure more accessories will be released in time.

Lock it up

Security is always going to be an issue with an eBike, they don’t come with an ignition or steering lock so you really need to carry around a decent lock and chain if you’re planning to leave it parked anywhere. I’d also recommend fitting a battery-powered tracking device to one of these (have a look at MoniMoto). The BOOSTER is cool enough to be attractive to thieves.

Price and availability

You will be able to buy the BOOSTER in the UK from July, they’ve already arrived in some parts of Europe. We suggest you visit your nearest Yamaha eBike Experience Centre, you can find out where your nearest dealer is by visiting the Yamaha website.

• The BOOSTER Easy will retail at £2900
• BOOSTER S at £3150

Words: Iggy

Photos: Ant Productions

Technical specifications

Frame: Honeycomb aluminium

Fork: Zoom CH-879 AMS 20″ – 80mm travel

Headset: FSA semi-integrated, Promax 750mm handlebar and 40mm stem

Seat: Selle Royal Orbis Unitech, 350mm Promax post

Wheels: Gipiemme 20″ with 20×4″ Vee Tyres

Brakes: Promax DSK 930B -180mm front and rear discs

Drivetrain

Shifters: Enviolo Twist pure

Rear derailleur: Enviolo Heavy Duty

Crankarm: FSA 44D

Chain: KMC 1v Z1eHX Narrow (1/2″ x 3/32″)

Cassette: KMC Enviolo Narrow 16T (1/2″ x 3/32″

eBike systems

Drive unit: Yamaha PWSeries S2, S-pedelec, 75Nm

Battery: Yamaha 630 WH-Battery 36V, 17.5 Ah

Max speed with assist: 28 mph (Easy 15mph)

Total weight: 36kg

BOOSTER S eBike class: S-Pedelec (L1e-B)

BOOSTER Easy eBike class: EAPC (Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle)