Yamaha Motor Design Spotlights – 1995 Majesty (YP250)

In the early 1990s, demand began to falter in the 50cc scooter segment that had long driven Japan’s motorcycle market and the value of motorcycles was questioned again. An ambitious project was launched to create new value with a bike for direct commutes in the Tokyo metropolitan area: the Majesty 250.

The high-quality design and onboard comfort like that of a luxury sedan were what cemented the Majesty as the leader in shaping the big scooter category. Its designers were involved right from the planning stage, conducting a number of assessments firsthand like commuting from the outskirts of Tokyo into the city center by motorcycle and by train.

The project leader explains the team's emphasis with the design: "We sought to exceed customer expectations with a uniquely Yamaha style. It needed Yamaha’s signature sportiness but also prestige. In short, I requested a design with a form that focused on high added value. Since comfort for the commute was the top priority, the ride couldn’t be tiring like the average motorcycle was. Even a bit of forward lean can tire you out. So, the riding position was a big focal point. As part of that, the seat and backrest were also ergonomically designed with consideration given to the height, size, and support position.?

"There was a department in-house that was studying ergonomics, so we asked them for guidance. The position for the pelvic support couldn’t be too low; it had to be just the right height. It was a little small, but it functioned well enough as a backrest. Having it made a big difference. We tested the pelvic support with a riding position with the legs forward, riding the envisioned 20 to 25 km from earlier for an hour. Before starting and after arriving, we measured the rider’s pulse, heart rate, etc., and they were nearly unchanged. We did the same checks without the backrest and sure enough, they were higher. So, we were also able to quantify the benefits and put that into the product brochure at the time as proof of its comfort."

Besides these and other user-friendly features, its highly aerodynamic fairing and ample storage space made it an attractive choice even for weekend touring excursions. The creation of the Majesty later set off a boom in maxi-scooter use in Europe that inspired multiple successive generations and eventually the creation of the segment-leading TMAX and its XMAX siblings of today.