Manoeuvring its bulk takes some concentration and it comes equipped with a handbrake that works when parking in uneven terrain , and it can be parked in the stand assist mode , meaning even very steep streets are parkable at any angle . Concerns at stability in assist mode when parked were allayed when photographer Geoff Osborne and I pushed it from either side ; it will wobble , but remains upright even when one of the front wheels is off the ground . Keyless entry is standard and ignition is by means of a rotator switch . Flick it into ‘ entry ’ and push the button and a truly cavernous space opens beneath the seat , a voluminous 43.5 litres . Two full face helmets will fit in the LED-lit depths ! Top marks to Yamaha there , and it will take a fair swag of shopping too . However , with all that vast acreage of plastic frontage , concealing the extraordinary parallelogram steering and suspension there is not a single space set aside for gloves , a wallet , and no USB connection for a phone . Instead there is a rather old fashioned 12 volt outlet , and nothing else . Beneath the windscreen is a wide dashboard – but the black and white screen is a bit ‘ 1980s ’ if one is seriously expecting a pampered car driver to love it . I think a full colour TFT display should be a minimum on something attempting to be user-friendly in 2021 . Comfort wise , there is plenty of good visibility , and ergonomically the Yamaha people have been at the top of their game for decades , no surprises with all the standard controls . Top marks . If uninspired .
KIWI RIDER 109