The Yamaha Nouvo is a CVT underbone motorcycle that Yamaha introduced for Southeast Asia in April 2002. Its name comes from the French word nouveau, meaning new or fashionable, and the model became one of the region’s best-selling small two-wheelers.
Yamaha Nouvo at a glance
| Maker | Yamaha Motor Company |
|---|---|
| Class | CVT underbone |
| Introduced | April 2002, Southeast Asia |
| Internal code | AT115 |
| First engine | 115 cc four-stroke SOHC two-valve single |
| Frame aim | rigidity of a moped with scooter comfort |
| 2004 facelift | R1-style headlights, new front suspension settings |
| 2007 Vietnam model | Nouvo Limited with V-shaped headlight |
| 2008 model | Nouvo Elegance, 135 cc, water-cooled |
| 2008 code | AT135 |
| Malaysian name | Nouvo LC |
Based on one source (English Wikipedia).
History of the Yamaha Nouvo
The Nouvo was developed under the model code AT115 and launched in April 2002 in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and other Asian countries. Yamaha’s engineers wanted a frame at least as rigid as a moped’s, so that the bike would handle like a moped while offering scooter comfort. Power came from a four-stroke SOHC two-valve single with strong torque at low and medium speeds.
A facelift followed in 2004, with headlights styled after the Yamaha YZF-R1, a tail light fitted with a retroreflector, revised front suspension settings for stability and changes to the body panels and passenger footrest. For Vietnam, Yamaha released a Nouvo Limited in 2007 with a V-shaped headlight and new body stripes, available only in black or white. By 2008 the Nouvo was still the best-selling moped-like motorcycle in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
In February 2008 Yamaha in Thailand and Vietnam launched the Nouvo Elegance under the code AT135, with the engine enlarged from 115 to 135 cc. The cylinder and forged piston were made from die-cast aluminium silicon, which reduced weight and improved the power-to-weight ratio, and the engine became water-cooled with a radiator on the right side. The body gained sharper edges and a larger seat. Malaysia received the model in August 2008 as the Nouvo LC, and Brazil was due to get it in 2009. Nouvos have been raced since 2003, including in the Malaysian Cub Prix, and the model became a platform for customisation and street tuning across the region.
Design and features
- Moped-like frame: stiffness chosen to combine moped handling with scooter comfort.
- Four-stroke single: a 115 cc SOHC two-valve engine with strong low-end torque.
- 2008 upgrade: 135 cc, water cooling and DiASil cylinder and piston.
- Racing and tuning: used in the Malaysian Cub Prix and widely modified.
Yamaha Nouvo versions
- Nouvo AT115 (2002–2003): original 115 cc model.
- Nouvo (2004–2007): facelift with R1-style headlights.
- Nouvo Limited (2007, Vietnam): V-shaped headlight, black or white.
- Nouvo Elegance / LX (2008–): 135 cc water-cooled model.
- Nouvo LC (Malaysia, 2008–): Malaysian name for the Elegance.
The Nouvo was succeeded by the Mio, and other small Yamaha scooters include the Fino. More models are in the Yamaha collection.
Sources
- Yamaha Nouvo, English Wikipedia: launch, engines, facelift, 2008 Elegance, racing and customisation
