Yamaha are returning to the big-wheel scooter market with an electric model , revealing the 125-equivalent Xenter E at EICMA ahead of a European launch in spring 2027.
Big-wheel – or ‘high-wheel’ – scooters are a staple of European cities, where 16in rims cope better with cobbles, tram lines and potholes than the small wheels of a typical twist-and-go. Yamaha say the Xenter E marks their return to the segment, and it arrives alongside a petrol-powered Xenter concept also shown in Milan.
The Xenter E is an A1-licence machine with a claimed range of 67 miles from a fixed 3.5kWh lithium-ion battery. Power comes from a new ‘eAxle’ unit – an air-cooled permanent-magnet motor, controller and reduction gear in one frame-mounted package – producing a peak 10bhp at 3500rpm and 24.6lb.ft of torque from just 500rpm, with belt drive to the rear wheel.
Mounting the drive unit to the frame rather than the swingarm, as on a conventional scooter, cuts unsprung weight and lets Yamaha fit a motorcycle-style swingarm.
The battery is L-shaped and sits low and centrally in a new underbone frame, which Yamaha say preserves both the flat footboard and underseat space for a full-face helmet , depending on size. The battery is IP67-rated against water and dust and sits in a protective housing against speed humps and kerbs.
Charging is via an 800W onboard charger, which takes 5.5 hours from empty to full, and the port in a side pocket accepts both a domestic cable and the AC Type 2 plug used by public car chargers. Yamaha are launching a ‘YOU Charge’ subscription through dealers to give access to public networks, rolling out across Europe from early 2027.
The chassis uses 16in wheels with 100/80 front and 120/80 rear tyres, 100mm of front suspension travel and 97mm at the rear, a 1485mm wheelbase and a 790mm seat. Braking is by 245mm discs front and rear with ABS, backed by regenerative braking that varies with the riding mode and is tuned to mimic engine braking.
Traction control is standard, and there’s a reverse function – activated by pressing the Reverse and Mode buttons together – that creeps the scooter backwards at below walking pace.
Three modes – S for sharpest acceleration, T for everyday riding and E, which trims acceleration and top speed to stretch range – are selected from the bars and displayed on a 5in TFT dash with day and night layouts and a power ‘visualiser’.
The Yamaha Motor On app adds turn-by-turn navigation, battery and service status and parking location. A USB-C socket sits in a front cubby, there’s a folding bag hook at knee height and smart-key ignition is standard.
The Xenter E will be offered in Platinum Silver or Midnight Black, both with aqua accents, and Yamaha have already lined up accessories including a tall screen, apron, lever guards and a 34-litre top box. A 13in-wheeled sister model, the NMAX E, shares the powertrain with a 104km range, and both will be built in Vietnam.
Pricing has not been announced; Yamaha say details will come from individual distributors.
Alongside the electric bike, Yamaha have also shown a petrol-powered Xenter concept at EICMA. The firm have released no technical details for it, describing it only as a twist-and-go high-wheel scooter with ABS and traction control, aimed at urban and suburban commuters buying their first powered two-wheeler. There is no indication yet of whether, or when, it will reach production.
These high-wheel models will likely sell by the boatload in the cities o…