Yamaha NMAX 125 Buyer's Guide

The Machine's Character

The NMAX 125 answers a practical question: how much real quality fits into a small city scooter? Quite a lot. The liquid-cooled 125 cc Blue Core single with VVA makes 12 hp and 8 lb-ft. It delivers that power smoothly and in a straight line, and it sips fuel. A belt final drive, a steel tube frame and 13-inch wheels keep the whole package compact at 289 lb (131 kg) wet. Yamaha fits ABS, traction control, keyless start, smartphone connectivity, an LED headlight and a center stand as standard. This is a properly equipped scooter, not a stripped-down price special.

On the street it is about as easy as powered two-wheeling gets. The low center of gravity and balanced chassis make it light and intuitive, and it never intimidates a newer rider. It holds up well over time too: running costs stay low and the core hardware is tough. It suits the rider who wants cheap, dependable daily transport with some Yamaha style on top. The honest caveat is that this is a city tool, and 12 hp sets its limits once you leave town. Plan on regular belt and roller service, because a worn CVT turns smooth takeoffs jerky.

Hard Numbers

Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.

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Key specifications
Power	12 hp (9 kW) @ 8,000 rpm
Torque	8 lb-ft (11 Nm) @ 6,000 rpm
Displacement	125 cc
Engine	Single-cylinder
Cooling	Liquid-cooled
Final drive	Belt
Fork	Telescopic
Front brake	230 mm
Front tire	110/70-13
Rear tire	130/70-13
Seat height	30.1 in (765 mm)
Wet weight	289 lb (131 kg)
Fuel capacity	1.9 gal (7.1 L)

Equipment check

Comfort

Heated Grips Optional

Connectivity

Smartphone Connectivity Standard
Keyless System Standard

Lighting

LED Headlight Standard

Safety

ABS Standard
Traction Control Standard

The Truth on the Street

Years of paddock conversations, owner chats at club nights and the messages riders send me directly add up to a fairly clear picture of the NMAX 125. Owners like how it rides and what it costs to run. The complaints are fewer, and they center on comfort and a few practical details.

More fun than a commuter should be

Riders talk most about how it behaves once the road starts to bend. It feels light and balanced, and owners call it genuinely fun on twisty roads, not just a tool for town. The engine gets similar credit. It pulls in a linear way from a standstill and gives a noticeable extra push above 6,000 rpm, which riders feel puts it ahead of many rivals. Owners regularly report well over 80 mpg (US), and some get close to 100. Many also say the ABS gives them confidence in the wet and in sudden stops, and they like the sharp look of the 2021 redesign and its LED lights.

Speed bumps, mirrors and helmets

The most repeated gripe is a harsh rear end over speed bumps, and it gets worse with a passenger aboard. Other complaints are less common. Some owners find the mirrors too narrow to check properly for traffic behind. Others say the underseat compartment won't take most full-face helmets, despite what Yamaha claims.

Known issues

CVT response degradation over time

drivetrain occasional

The continuously variable transmission can develop jerky takeoffs, delayed acceleration, or vibration, especially in stop-and-go traffic, often due to belt and roller wear.
Battery and starting problems

electrics occasional

Weak battery or faulty safety sensors (side stand, brake lever) can cause clicking or non‑start, especially after periods of inactivity. Often solved by charging battery or cleaning switch contacts.
Harsh rear suspension over poor roads

suspension common

The dual rear shocks transmit significant bumps through the seat, reducing comfort on rough surfaces and causing back discomfort on longer journeys.
Accelerated brake pad wear in city traffic

brakes occasional

Constant stop-and-go riding in heavy urban traffic accelerates brake pad wear, with riders reporting squeaking, reduced bite, and thinner pads earlier than expected.

The Expert Benchmark

Where this Yamaha NMAX 125 pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.

What kind of bike this is — character vs. the class

Urban Utility Score

Weatherproof Commute Comfort

Storage Without Thinking

Twist-and-Go Simplicity

Low-Cost Daily Mobility

Night-and-Rain Confidence

This bike Class average

Head-to-head: Yamaha NMAX 125 vs. its rivals

Power

12 hp This bike 12 hp Vespa GTS 125 i.e. 15 hp Aprilia SR GT Sport 125 12 hp Honda PCX125 11 hp Kymco New Like 125i Nodooe

Torque

8 lb-ft This bike 8 lb-ft Vespa GTS 125 i.e. 9 lb-ft Aprilia SR GT Sport 125 9 lb-ft Honda PCX125 8 lb-ft Kymco New Like 125i Nodooe

Displacement

125 cc This bike 124 cc Vespa GTS 125 i.e. 125 cc Aprilia SR GT Sport 125 125 cc Honda PCX125 125 cc Kymco New Like 125i Nodooe

Wet weight

289 lb This bike 326 lb Vespa GTS 125 i.e. 317 lb Aprilia SR GT Sport 125 278 lb Honda PCX125 282 lb Kymco New Like 125i Nodooe

Seat height

30.1 in This bike 31.1 in Vespa GTS 125 i.e. 31.5 in Aprilia SR GT Sport 125 30.1 in Honda PCX125 31.1 in Kymco New Like 125i Nodooe

The 'Should I Buy It?' Score

Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the NMAX 125 is actually built for.

Aerial photograph of downtown Austin, Texas, showing modern high-rise buildings against a clear blue sky. Urban infrastructure, highways, and parking structures visible in the foreground. — Thomas Balabaud / Pexels

Best scooter for NYC?

This is your bike. It slips through gridlock, parks anywhere and costs next to nothing to run, and keyless start plus a center stand make the daily routine painless. Just budget for CVT and brake pad service.

Made for Austin · Los Angeles · Miami Beach / Miami

Best motorcycle for Bay Area?

For the city half of your week it's a smart, connected, good-looking commuter. On Skyline at the weekend, 12 hp gets you to the meetup honestly, but it won't be the ride you came for.

Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant

What's new versus the previous generation

If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.

Previous generation · 2015–2020

Yamaha NMAX 125 (SEC7)

City Slicker, Featherlight

Compare to the previous model →

Alternatives to the Yamaha NMAX 125

If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.

Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Yamaha NMAX 125. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.