It's spring in Europe and Yamaha has released a four-stroke version of its BW's go-anywhere scooter but it's not for South Africa - yet.
Yamaha SA says the earlier BW's 100 is still a strong seller in South Africa at R17 499 so it doesn't know when the new four-stroke version will be released here.
They gotta sell the old ones first, see... which you might want to take advantage of dealwise because the new one costs the equivalent of R28 400 in the UK, before all the taxes you'll have to pay in SA.
The new BW's (say bee-wizz, it stands for "big wheels") has a fuel-injected, air-cooled, 125cc engine, as opposed to the previous, carburettor-fed, 100cc two-stroke BW's two-stroke, for lower fuel consumption reduced emissions and increased torque.
It runs on chunky 12" all-terrain tyres (the BW's is one of the few scooters regarded by its maker as suitable for gravel roads) with dual long-travel rear hydraulic dampers.
New-for-2010 features include a simpler, clearer instrument panel and two stacked projector headlights. There's space for a full-face helmet under the double seat.
Yamaha has kept the short wheelbase that made the earlier BW's so popular among younger riders for its agility and while adding a dash of sophisticated styling for city slickers.
It'll be available in other markets from the end of April 2010 in black or white. Price in the UK £2499 (R28 400) plus UK tax and registration fees.