According to a recent study, the two-wheeler market in Malaysia is expected to witness a growth of over 5% by 2023. Scooters and mopeds account for the majority in this segment growth. Back in 2017, scooters/mopeds were the volume leaders, owing to the convenience, rising disposable incomes, and easy finance options.
Of numerous options available, we have selected the Benelli RFS 150i and Yamaha 135LC Super Sport for our comparison study. We'd be discussing mopeds' technicalities, specifications, variants, color options, and performance. Hope this analysis helps you to take a wise call.
Starting with the looks, Benelli RFS 150i is a sporty and stylish ride you get packed in a valued package. Featuring Italian racing style, it is wide at the front with sharp character lines. The headlamp on the handlebar is laid out in vertical fashion that makes it unique than others in the segment. The sides carry a Y-shaped graphic look that's good enough to grab one's attention. The single piece split seat configuration is impressive and looks inspired by premium motorcycles. Overall, it's quite aerodynamic and runs on the large 17-inch wheels.
The Yamaha 135LC Super Sport, on the other hand, is a flashy-looking moped with bright graphics and loud color shades. The moped is clearly aimed at youth with energetic appeal and trendy character. The front is quite angular that features LED pilot lights and chin spoiler. The seat is a comfortable single piece with a spacious utility box underneath. It also gets grab rails at the back for comforting pillion experience. While on the side, you'd notice a modern-day muffler that reduces engine sound considerably.
The Benelli RFS 150i specs sheet includes daytime running LEDs, LCD screen for digital moped's essential readouts like speed, fuel gauge, trip meter, and engine temperature, LED tail lamp, adjustable headlights, rear grab rails, and pass switch. It comes with an effortless electric start option.
The console on the Yamaha 135LC Super Sport is analogue. The headlamp along with the taillamp get bulbs. There are rear grab rails for easy commuting for the pillion.
On the performance front, the RFS 150i specs sheet gets a liquid-cooled, 4-Stroke, single cylinder, 6-speed, 149.8cc engine that produces a max power of 15.7 PS at 8500rpm. The company says that they have used a trio spark plugs - a part of the B3SP system that helps in minimizing emissions and maximising power. There is a wet multi-plate transmission system for smooth riding experience.
The 135LC Super Sport, on the other hand, gets a single cylinder, 4-Stroke, SOHC 134cc petrol engine that produces a max power of 12 PS. It gets a 4-speed automatic transmission system with a wet multi-plate clutch type.
The Benelli RFS 150i offers a sporty and agile riding experience, thanks to its upside down telescopic front fork with 88mm travel and telescopic coil spring oil-damped single shock absorber at the back with 27mm of travel. It is the only moped with USD fork. The ride is delightful and comfy.
The 135LC Super Sport gets telescopic fork at the front and monocross suspension at the rear. Though the setup cannot match the riding capabilities of the Benelli's, the on-road experience is relatively good. The moped is quite agile and lightweight to manoeuvre across the city traffic.
The 17-inch wheels on the Benelli RFS 150i get discs at both the ends. While the front wheel is blessed with 240mm single disc with 2-piston caliper, the rear wheel gets 220mm single disc with 2-piston caliper.
Yamaha could have done better on the safety front. The automaker has bestowed the 135LC Super Sport with a hydraulic disc at the front end and a drum brake at the rear end. The tyres measure 70/90 – 17 and 80/90 – 17 for the front and rear respectively.
The Benelli RFS 150i is available in four different color choices, including red, black, yellow, and blue. The same is the case with the 135LC Super Sport, however, here the colors are brighter, and the graphics are more pronounced.
The Benelli RFS 150i price tag reads RM6,989 (on-the-road price).
The Yamaha 135LC Super Sport price card stands at RM6,762 (on-the-road price).
Keeping looks aside, which are subjective, the RFS 150i seems to be a better moped than the Yamaha here. Pluses of the RFS 150i over the 135LC Super Sport are clearly discs at both ends, digital console, and more advanced suspension. However, one thing that disappoints is that it does not come with the under-seat storage compartment, which is one of the most highly desirable features in a moped.
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