Yamaha Unveils 69.3hp RW700 Explore and RW350 Adventure Scooters With Y-AMT Gearbox

Long-distance riders hunting for touring comfort without juggling a clutch lever in snarled traffic have a pair of fresh contenders. Yamaha unveiled two distinct adventure maxi-scooters on its global portal: the heavyweight RW700 Explore and the single-cylinder RW350. Both blend off-pavement suspension travel with maxi-scooter weather protection, directly squaring up against Honda's X-ADV and ADV350.

Yamaha built the flagship RW700 Explore around a 689cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine with dual overhead cams. The mill kicks out 69.3hp at 8,250rpm and 65Nm of torque spread between 6,500rpm and 6,750rpm, while a restricted 47.6hp trim caters to tiered licensing markets abroad. But the standout mechanical choice sits behind the crankshaft. Instead of a rubbery continuously variable transmission, Yamaha bolted on a six-speed manual gearbox paired with its Y-AMT automated manual system. Riders shift through handlebar toggles or let computers manage the wet multi-plate clutch, dumping power to the rear wheel through an authentic motorcycle chain drive.

Heavyweight Touring Hardware on the RW700

Underneath, the chassis hardware mirrors full-sized adventure bikes rather than suburban runabouts. A 41mm inverted front fork supplies 160mm of wheel travel with preload adjustment, while an adjustable monoshock delivers 155mm at the rear with rebound damping controls. Electronics run off a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) governing traction control, cornering aids, and multiple riding modes. Yamaha packaged the machine for foul-weather touring from the factory floor—standard kit includes heated grips, a heated rider saddle, backlit switchgear, cruise control, and a five-inch color TFT display running Garmin StreetCross navigation.

The RW350 Commuter Alternative

Yet not every rider demands middleweight twin muscle. For city riders who occasionally tackle dirt tracks, Yamaha developed the RW350. It runs a single-cylinder 327cc four-valve engine producing 29.2hp at 7,000rpm and 31.5Nm of torque at 5,750rpm through a conventional V-belt automatic. To clean up rear-wheel dynamics, Yamaha mounted the engine rigidly to the main frame and allowed the CVT housing to pivot around the crankshaft—a design branded Yamaha Dynamic Ride. It chops unsprung weight, softens harsh road jolts, and works alongside a four-axis engine counterbalancer to mute single-cylinder vibrations.

Suspension on the smaller scooter drops to a 37mm front fork paired with twin rear shocks featuring seven preload clicks. Storage takes precedence here: the carved-out underseat bay accepts a full-face helmet, flanked by a keyless ignition fob and three electronic throttle maps labeled Street, Explore, and Eco.

Yamaha has not confirmed Indian market availability or regional pricing for either model. Bringing high-displacement maxi-scooters into India as direct imports typically pushes price tags beyond practical reach for volume buyers. Still, as Indian buyers show a rising appetite for premium multi-cylinder adventure machines, Yamaha will closely watch distributor demand before deciding whether to clear showroom floor space in major metros.