Since its beginning, Yamaha Motor Company has repeatedly reshaped the motorcycle and scooter landscape by combining performance, innovation and accessibility. Over the years, Yamaha has pioneered new technologies and pushed the boundaries of mobility, advancing urban transportation through the MAX line-up while opening up a world of new adventures with the robust and durable Ténéré 700 range.
Today, as a result of decades of on and off-road development and engineering excellence, Yamaha takes one step further by creating a bridge between two worlds with the all-new RW Series of premium, versatile, adventure-ready scooters – delivering everyday freedom in the true sense of the word.
Built to redefine the standards of performance, capability and freedom to move both on and off-road, the RW Series introduces a new benchmark. Designed to spark the spirit of adventure, the RW700, RW700 Explore and RW350 mark the beginning of the first true Adventure Scooter segment.
Dominant in the city, the RW Series is stable, refined and composed. It turns daily commutes into a comfortable and premium experience, while extraordinary adventures are within reach when the road opens up or disappears altogether.
Breaking through boundaries, these machines take you on a journey of exploration and discovery unlike anything you have experienced previously on two-wheeled scooters. Marketing claims don’t define this series – real world use does.
With measurable confidence, control and versatility across every riding environment, the RW Series has been built with the rider in mind. A seat designed to be moved on – not to hold you in one place, footpegs that provide comfort when you want it and grip when you need it, and an engine that puts all the power at your fingertips. The RW Series isn’t here to join the game, it’s here to change it.
At the heart of the RW Series lies the RW700. Powered by the proven CP2 engine and combined with a rugged steel tube style frame, the RW700 is a true motorcycle-scooter crossover. It embodies Yamaha’s belief that performance, adventure and everyday usability should coexist without compromise. This model stirs the desire to set off on a journey and maximise the enjoyable experiences life has to offer.
The RW700 is joined by the RW700 Explore – the same exceptional motorcycle-scooter crossover, but with specially designed extras to provide the ultimate in luxury and premium level comfort. The upgrades include front suspension with adjustable preload and rebound damping capabilities, heated grips, heated seat, a centre stand and backlit switchgear, as well as its own dedicated colour options. The RW700 Explore invites the rider to go in search of new roads and explore with ease, with zero compromise on the features that add comfort to everyday riding.
Both the RW700 and RW700 Explore present unrivalled commuting and exploring opportunities, providing the rider with true freedom of movement, opening unexplored territory and encouraging you to chase your next adventure.
Joining the family is the RW350, which punches well above its class as it redefines the category of middle-weight scooters. Built for the adventurous commuter and powered by an all-new 330cc liquid cooled, 4-stroke engine with Yamaha Dynamic Ride, it achieves agile handling with powerful, linear acceleration and outstanding handling.
The RW350 has been built without compromise to deliver true performance where it counts, granting pure freedom to the rider by blending comfort and practicality. A scooter that makes every day exciting, encourages you to go further than ever before and allows you to choose your own route – every day.
With DNA built from adventure, the RW series invites you to a time of realising the world was larger than you could have ever imagined. Designed to awaken a sense of adventure, encouraging riders to go off the beaten path on a machine that’s capable, not just on paper, but in the real world. More than adventure styling – these bikes are adventure-capable, built in from the very first push of the starter button.
THE RW700 & RW700 EXPLORE: REAL-WORLD PERFORMANCE
PURPOSEFUL POWER WITH CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY
TORQUE-RICH CP2 ENGINE WITH YCC-T
At the heart of the RW700 and RW700 Explore, lies the torque-rich CP2 engine, which has been the middleweight benchmark across a range of Yamaha models. This proven engine enhances the sense of unity between rider and machine, ensuring maximum enjoyment, rideability and comfort while staying true to Yamaha DNA.
The unrivalled character of the CP2 engine maintains excellent controllability, enabling the rider to easily modulate performance at low to mid RPM. It allows for real-world on-road and off-road use, while staying true to its fun nature, making the rider want to open the throttle and enjoy every twist and bend in the road, while enjoying the energetic sounds of the CP2 engine along the way.
The Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) results in smooth torque characteristics throughout the entire rev range and is tuned to deliver excellent response at minimal throttle, giving the rider a comfortable overall power delivery when riding through busy streets and when exploring country roads.
POWER AT YOUR FINGERTIPS WITH AN OPTIMISED Y-AMT SYSTEM
Specifically optimised for the RW series, the RW700 utilises an enhanced Yamaha Automated Manual Transmission (Y-AMT) system, allowing riders to shift gear without the need for a clutch lever or gearshift pedal. This technology also makes the RW700 the first Yamaha scooter with gear-changing abilities, as well as the first time that Y-AMT has been developed for off-road use.
The Y-AMT system was introduced in 2024, granting riders the ability to choose between shifting gears manually using a see-saw switch integrated on the handlebars (MT), or using a fully automatic gear change (AT). The feature has been used across a range of motorcycle models, allowing precise gear shifts in 0.1s, giving the rider greater feeling and allowing them to shift their focus and enjoy their ride without distractions.
For the RW700, the Y-AMT system now has a smoother shift thanks to a rubberised clutch damper and revised spring load settings for the shift rod, with specific settings allowing for both on and off-road use for greater rider control and usability. The see-saw switch shape and layout have been optimised to suit the handlebar and brake lever of the RW700, allowing for more reliable shifting and finer and more intuitive brake control.
DATA IN REAL TIME WITH YAMAHA’S SIX-AXIS IMU ACCOMPANIED BY A SUITE OF ELECTRONIC RIDER AIDS
Yamaha’s six-axis IMU unit has been developed over the last decade and appears on many of their flagship models. Adapting the latest technology to the RW700, the six-axis IMU is able to send data in real time to the ECU which controls the suite of electronic rider aids, such as Traction Control System (TCS), Slide Control System (SCS) and Brake Control System (BCS) giving the rider the ultimate package to take them anywhere they wish to explore.
FURTHER CONTROLABILITY FROM YAMAHA RIDE CONTROL (YRC)
Showcasing further controllability of the RW700, Yamaha Ride Control (YRC) allows the rider to select engine power characteristics and the degree of support of electronic rider aids, based on personal rider preferences.
YRC offers a host of rider modes, working in perfect harmony with Y-AMT, which are divided into two groups: ROAD and GRAVEL.
In ROAD, there are three presets consisting of SPORT, which provides high engine response for twisty roads, STREET, which covers a wide range of surfaces and is well suited to city riding, and ECO, which tones down the power output and prioritises fuel efficiency and ease of use.
In GRAVEL, there are two presets which are designed for off-road riding including EXPLORE, which adjusts shifting and vehicle behaviour for off-road surfaces for enhanced rideability, and EXPLORE+, which adds more engine response than the EXPLORE mode. Additionally, EXPLORE+ can be fully customised depending on rider preferences.
The RW700 and RW700 Explore are enhanced with a host of electronic rider aids. Power Delivery Mode (PWR) changes the throttle response from sporty to mild, the Traction Control System (TCS) efficiently manages drive force from the rear tyre with low to high intervention, and the Slide Control System (SCS) detects slides at the rear and adjust the engine output with low to high intervention. The Brake Control System (BCS) detects slides when the machine is leaned over and controls brake pressure accordingly, while the Back-slip Regulator (BSR) controls engine torque when the rear wheel locks up.
Both BCS and BSR can be switched on and off in all modes to give extra riding freedom. Rear ABS can be switched off when in GRAVEL mode only.
The flexibility in the YRC riding modes enhances both commuting and distance-based riding, while also allowing riders the freedom to explore off-road without ever losing performance or controllability, once again placing the RW700 at the forefront of real-world riding capabilities.
OFF-ROAD RIDING CONTROL DELIVERED BY GSH (GRAVEL SHIFT)
During AT operation (fully automatic gear change enabled by Y-AMT), shift timing is controlled based on vehicle speed, engine speed, throttle opening and gear position.
There are separate shift programs for ROAD and GRAVEL. Using the GRAVEL mode, upshifts are suppressed after throttle application as well as while the rear wheel is sliding. This allows for fine throttle modulation and a controlled degree of rear-wheel slip, allowing riders to generate and maintain traction on loose surfaces.
To enhance controllability and rider freedom in off-road conditions, the RW700’s rear ABS can also be disabled while in GRAVEL mode. A dedicated control strategy has been adopted to reduce the risk of engine stalling, so when rear-wheel lock-up or hard braking is detected, clutch capacity is reduced, helping to prevent the engine from stalling. This control also aids the rider in real-world off-road riding situations such as when a wheel spins on a log, by maintaining smoother and more predictable behaviour.
ENHANCED COMFORT WITHOUT COMPROMISE WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND SPEED LIMITER
For enhanced comfort, the RW700 also offers cruise control as standard, along with the Yamaha Variable Speed Limiter (YVSL). Both of these features provide a premium feeling without compromise, ensuring longer rides are smooth and enjoyable, giving the rider time to focus on the journey itself.
CONNECTIVITY READY FIVE-INCH TFT DISPLAY
The RW700 gets a five-inch full colour display, which can be easily connected to the rider’s smartphone through the free MyRide app, allowing users to take calls on the go and manage music while riding. Also available is on-screen navigation with the free Garmin StreetCross app, which offers either a full map, or turn-by-turn-navigation with real-time traffic information. In addition to this, the cockpit comes equipped with a USB-C type port, ensuring devices stay charged and ready to use. These features allow true freedom, ensuring riders get only as lost as they want to.
The modern display is designed to be in harmony with the bikes design, with a nod to the nature that inspired it. The display themes prioritise functionality while also drawing on the emotions of the rider who can choose between three display themes. The exclusive RW theme expresses the model’s unique positioning, with distant mountains in the background while the layout shows the bikes current status in a clear way, allowing riders to process the information intuitively. One other theme strips back to a more regular display, showing throttle movement for a pleasing look, while another shows a simplified layout, for riders who want only the most relevant information on show.
