Yamaha Mio Soul

"Dependable urban workhorse that rewards buyers who inspect carefully."

The Mio Soul is one of those scooters that just refuses to die, and honestly that's its biggest selling point. Yamaha built these things properly — the 113cc engine is bulletproof if it's been serviced regularly, and the automatic CVT rarely causes drama. On a used example, check the variator rollers first thing; worn rollers make the bike hesitant off the line and feel sluggish above 60kph. It's a telltale sign the previous owner skipped maintenance. Budget for replacing them regardless. Riding it daily in city traffic, you'll appreciate the low seat height and light steering. It's genuinely flickable through congestion. Don't expect highway confidence though — anything sustained above 80kph and the little engine sounds stressed. The underseat storage is modest compared to newer competitors, and the fuel tap position is awkward if you're used to modern scooters. For commuting short distances on a tight budget, the Mio Soul makes real sense. Just inspect the frame carefully around the headstock for any hairline cracks — older units occasionally develop them.