2019 Yamaha NMAX 155 Review

The Yamaha NMAX 155 has been in the market for quite some time now. Yet, the number of inquiries would come in for this scooter hasn’t stopped yet. In other words, people never really got tired of this scooter. It continues to sell, even if its new model is due to launch soon. To be honest, when it comes to picking scooters, what you’re trying to look for is pretty straightforward. You want something that’s capable of taking you for a quick roundabout with a simple twist and go. While there are lots of other choices in the market, but for many, the NMAX 155 still reigns supreme.

Design

The design of the NMAX 155 doesn’t overwhelm you with anything too flashy like loud colors, or racing stripes to evoke speed and sportiness. That’s because it wasn’t meant to be like that. The NMAX was built to be a reliable urban commuter that’s comfortable enough to be your daily runabout. It has a clean and simple two-tone finish with more refined and elegant styling. While its step board won’t permit you to stow some groceries in between your legs, it at least provides you different ways of positioning your feet when driving it around. After all, it’s styling is made to give you comfort more than anything else. 

Performance

The NMAX 155 is equipped with a SOHC single-cylinder 155 cc engine that’s capable of churning out 14.9 hp and 14.4 Nm of peak torque. Its engine has Yamaha’s Blue Core engine technology that features a variable valve actuation that gives a more efficient power delivery. It’s just enough power to get you from point-to-point without overwhelming the rider. The NMAX 155 has a claimed top speed of 125 km/h, but Metro Manila traffic wouldn’t permit you to even try to reach it anyway. Yet, because you’re riding around with a scooter that’s light and compact enough to weave between cars. 

Comfort

Riding it around the city, unlike some scooters, the engine heat was not a problem with the NMAX 155. It has an engine that’s made to withstand the heat of tropical countries like ours. However, its dual piggyback shock absorbers are a little bit stiff. Thus, driving it through our less-than-perfect Metro Manila roads will still make you feel those bumps. However, the positioning of the handlebars and its seat height gives you a good enough view of the road ahead while the rider’s seating posture is kept very neutral, making it a very comfortable city slicker. It has a decent enough turning radius to quickly make some tight turns. Plus the telescopic front forks at least keeps the bumps at bay without hurting your wrists so much. 

Engine vibrations are kept to a minimum, even as you try to push the engine to get up to your desired speed. After all, NMAX 155 was built for comfort after all. All in all, it’s easy to control, can get the job done, and the ride wouldn’t be as unpleasant, if not for the less than perfect Metro Manila roads. We could just imagine how delightful it would be to have this scooter being driven on smoother roads with less congestion. 

Tech and Safety

Stopping duties of the NMAX 155 is provided for by disc brakes in both the front and rear. However ABS doesn’t come as a standard with the NMAX 155, and if you opt for this safety feature, it will set you back for an additional P10,000. However, it does respond well in keeping the tires from skidding when you apply the brakes aggressively. You would feel its intervention giving you more control over the bike when trying to go to a sudden stop. Meanwhile, its round full-LCD digital dash will give you all the information you need at a glance including your speed, fuel levels, and temperature. It’s legible in almost all sorts of lighting conditions also thanks to a good backlight that helps you read the data at night. 

Usability

The NMAX 155 is the ideal urban runabout scooter offered by Yamaha. As a scooter and with the displacement it has, it’s not an expressway-legal bike. You’d have to take the service road if you were to go north or south of Metro Manila. However, because of its ease of handling and ability to weave through bumper to bumper traffic, it shouldn’t bee too much of a struggle. After all, at least you wouldn’t have to be worrying about your own engine heat, and you probably wouldn’t remain stuck long enough in between cars. In addition, at least it has enough compartment storage to store a full-face helmet underneath the seat, rain gear, and fresh set of clothes for when you get to your destination. The front compartment on its left side is big enough to store a water bottle or any small device. Thus, when it comes to running around the city, it is extremely practical. 

Verdict

The NMAX 155 isn’t the perfect scooter. It still has some flaws that could be changed by some aftermarket parts, and it lacks some conveniences such as a USB charging port which a lot of other scooters now offer. Yet, it still remains as one of the best selling scooters in the country. With Yamaha’s extensive dealer network in the country, they can easily provide service for would-be owners of the NMAX 155, and sourcing its spare parts shouldn’t be a problem. Even if it’s been in the market since 2015, it still keeps rolling out of showrooms like hot pancakes. You can spot many NMAXes on the roads of the Metro which is a testament to its success. With a price of P109,000 for the Standard version and P119,000 for the ABS version, you get really good value for a scooter, and its competitors are having a hard time dethroning it, and with a new one on the horizon, it doesn’t seem like Yamaha will rest on its laurels any time soon.