Yamaha NMAX 155 Buyer's Guide

The Machine's Character

The NMAX 155 is Yamaha's answer to a simple question: how much scooter do you actually need to get across a city? The answer is a liquid-cooled 155 cc single making 15 hp and 11 lb-ft, a belt final drive, an underbone frame and a wet weight of just 280 lb (127 kg). ABS is standard, and that's the whole electronics list: no traction control, no ride modes, nothing to configure. It sits in the gap between the small-displacement runabouts and the big touring scooters, with sharp twin-headlight styling that looks more motorcycle than appliance. A center stand comes fitted from the factory. Honest equipment!

It rides the way the scale suggests: light, quick to turn and completely unintimidating, with enough in reserve to hold its own on a short highway stretch. It also ages well. Reliability is strong and running costs stay low, as long as you watch the CVT belt and rollers, which wear faster in heavy stop-and-go use and want inspection or replacement every 7,500–9,300 mi (12,000–15,000 km). This is a scooter for you if your riding is mostly urban and you value storage and parking over speed. The caveat is the rear shock: it's stiff, it's not adjustable, and potholes and passengers both let you know. Plan around that.

Hard Numbers

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

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Key specifications
Power	15 hp (11 kW) @ 8,000 rpm
Torque	11 lb-ft (14 Nm) @ 6,000 rpm
Displacement	155 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	280 lb (127 kg)
Fuel capacity	1.7 gal (6.6 L)

Equipment check

Safety

ABS Standard

Known issues

Premature CVT belt and roller wear

drivetrain occasional

The CVT belt and rollers can wear faster than expected in heavy stop-and-go traffic, leading to vibrations and reduced acceleration. Regular inspection and replacement every 7,500–9,300 mi (12,000–15,000 km) are recommended.
Inconsistent real-world fuel economy

fuel system occasional

Heavy traffic, aggressive throttle use, or poor maintenance can cause fuel consumption to drop significantly below Yamaha's claimed figures.
Excessive rear suspension stiffness

suspension common

Many riders report a harsh ride over potholes and uneven surfaces, leading to back fatigue and reduced passenger comfort.
Premature brake pad wear

brakes occasional

Frequent stop-and-go city riding can lead to faster brake pad consumption, requiring more frequent replacements.
Weak battery and electrical gremlins

electrics occasional

Some owners experience rapid battery drain or intermittent electrical faults, especially in hot climates or with short trips.

The Expert Benchmark

Where this Yamaha NMAX 155 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 155 vs. its rivals

Power

15 hp This bike 12 hp Honda PCX125 14 hp Kymco X-Town 125 CBS 12 hp Vespa GTS 125 ie Super 18 hp Aprilia SR GT Sport 200

Torque

11 lb-ft This bike 9 lb-ft Honda PCX125 9 lb-ft Kymco X-Town 125 CBS 8 lb-ft Vespa GTS 125 ie Super 13 lb-ft Aprilia SR GT Sport 200

Displacement

155 cc This bike 125 cc Honda PCX125 125 cc Kymco X-Town 125 CBS 124 cc Vespa GTS 125 ie Super 174 cc Aprilia SR GT Sport 200

Wet weight

280 lb This bike 278 lb Honda PCX125 403 lb Kymco X-Town 125 CBS 320 lb Vespa GTS 125 ie Super 320 lb Aprilia SR GT Sport 200

Seat height

30.1 in This bike 29.9 in Honda PCX125 30.9 in Kymco X-Town 125 CBS 31.1 in Vespa GTS 125 ie Super 31.9 in Aprilia SR GT Sport 200

The 'Should I Buy It?' Score

Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the NMAX 155 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 scooter. It's light, easy to park, cheap to run and has real storage for short daily trips. Just budget for CVT belt and brake pad wear if your commute is all stop-and-go.

Made for Austin · Los Angeles · Miami Beach / Miami

Best motorcycle for Bay Area?

For the city half of your week it fits well, and the sharp styling looks good parked. On a curvy weekend road, 15 hp and a stiff rear shock keep it a relaxed tagalong, not a pace-setter.

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

Alternatives to the Yamaha NMAX 155

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 155. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.