This summer, Yamaha is unleashing a brand-new version of its popular BW’s scooter on city streets. Winner of Moto123.com’s 50cc comparo last year, the Bee-Whiz gets new duds and a cleaner, more efficient engine.

Photo: Yamaha

It might be redesigned, but the trademark dual round headlamps still highlight the 2012 BW’s and make it unmistakably recognizable. Kids, you’ll still be able to tape angry black eyebrows on them.

Visually, the differences don’t seem significant, but they are. Changes include a bigger rear luggage rack, clear-lens turn signals and a rear fender that hugs the wheel better in order to reduce splashing in wet conditions. In addition, the fuel cap has been repositioned to make filling up easier, while a new gauge cluster has also been specified.

Gone is the two-stroke, fan-cooled reed-valve engine of the old BW’s, replaced by a 49cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke mill. Crowned by a 3-valve head (2 intake and 1 exhaust) and throttle-body fuel injection, the single cylinder sports a smaller bore and a longer stroke as well as a higher compression ratio. Output drops slightly, however, from 5.1 lb-ft of torque in the old model to 3 lb-ft in the new one. In short, it’s pretty much the same engine found in the XF50 C3.

The trade-off is better fuel economy. The BW’s now consumes on average 158 imperial MPG, or 1.8 L/100 km, which represents an 8% improvement over the old Bee-Whiz. Converting to a four-cycle engine obviously lowers harmful emissions.

Oh, the BW’s also keeps its electric starter but loses its kick pedal.

The shorter front forks still provide up to 58 mm of wheel travel, while the rear swingarm setup remains, offering up to 56 mm of travel. The front disc/rear drum brake setup also hasn’t changed, although the 180-mm disc and caliper are now painted. The tires are now of the same size front and rear, at 120/90-10.

The 2012 BW’s 50 will be offered in white, blue and black colours. At an MSRP of $3,079 before taxes, freight and destination, it should start reaching dealerships by the time you read this.

Photo: Yamaha