Scooters are fun. No. Seriously! leave all of those lame jokes at home. They really are.
They are also nippy, economical and, particularly in the urban jungle, they make a lot of sense.
yamaha’s N-Max is not one of the budget scoots on the market.
Au Contraire friends, at R85000 Zed Are Rands, this is quite possibly one of the more expensive 150’s that we’ve ever ridden.
But get this…
We get it.
Quality. Quality. Quality.
Practicality doesn’t have to come at the expense of performance, comfort, or style.
This one is not designed for the budget masses. Perhaps it’s made for the more discerning client, a customer who places quality and ride experience over simple economies of scale.
The N-Max really is something pretty cool…
It’s no big surprise that the NMAX has become one of Yamaha’s most successful scooters worldwide, earning a reputation as the benchmark in the premium 150cc class. Whether weaving through rush-hour traffic, tackling long commutes, or escaping the city for a weekend ride, it offers a level of refinement that few scoots in this class can match.
Performance:
At the heart of the NMAX lies a 155cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine featuring Yamaha’s advanced Blue Core technology and Variable Valve Actuation (VVA). While the engine produces a modest 15 horsepower and around 14 Nm of torque, its performance feels seriously peppy thanks to the scooter’s light weight and continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Silent starting is delivered at the push of a button. Acceleration is well-quick enough to stay ahead of city traffic, while highway cruising between 90 and 110 km/h is pretty effortless. Under ideal conditions, with a skinny rider the scooter can reach a top speed of around 120–125 km/h, making it equally at home on urban streets and open roads.
Our more rotund lot saw a max speed close to the 120KPH mark.
We almost got annoyed when our bike appeared to stall at a traffic light. What?
Nope, this one’s got stop-start tech, as you open up, she fires up and heads off again. It’s all about being economiccal as well as good looking you see!
Designed for Everyday Comfort:
It’s properly comfortable. The wide, well-padded seat offers excellent comfort for both rider and passenger, while the relaxed riding position makes it comfy for the long journey. Generous front plastics and a well sculpted windscreen provide welcome protection from wind and rain, making everyday commuting rather pleasant.
The relatively low seat height inspires confidence for new riders, while the scooter’s balanced chassis makes it oh so easy to manoeuvre through our congested city streets.
The NMAX has been engineered with everyday life in mind.
A spacious under-seat storage compartment is large enough to accommodate most full-face helmets, LED lighting, smartphone connectivity via Bluetooth, USB charging, traction control, and anti-lock braking (ABS), depending on the market and model specification.
This one even has a keyless FOB.
These features give the NMAX a genuinely premium feel that stands out in the small capacity scooter segment.
Efficiency:
The price of petrol is a conversation point all over the place at the mo – and while, you’d not necessarily buy this one for the sake of being economical, we did get some impressive returns.
Between 40 and 45 kilometres per litre which allows the NMAX to travel hundreds of kilometres on a single tank.
The Yamaha NMAX 155 has earned its reputation for good reason. It’s a brilliant little scoot.
It successfully blends the convenience of a scooter with the comfort, technology, and road presence of a much larger motorcycle.
It is equally suited to first-time riders, experienced commuters, and weekend explorers who appreciate a machine that is practical without feeling ordinary.
Go and ride one. You’ll see exactly what we mean.
Yamaha NMAX 155 at a Glance
Engine: 155cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, SOHC with VVA
Power: Approximately 15 hp (11.1 kW)
Torque: Approximately 14 Nm
Transmission: Automatic CVT
Top Speed: 120–125 km/h
Cruising Speed: 90–110 km/h
Fuel Economy: 40–45 km/L
Fuel Tank: 6.6–7.1 litres
Weight: Approximately 127–135 kg
Bottom Line:
For discerning riders who look for premium comfort, excellent fuel economy, modern technology, and peppy performance in a stylish package, the Yamaha NMAX 155 really has made an impression on our lot.
