XMAX 125 (MY2023)

The XMAX 125 is a scooter that takes the 125 cc formula seriously. A liquid-cooled single makes 12 hp at 8,000 rpm and 8 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm. It sits in a steel tube frame on a 120/70-15 front and 140/70-14 rear tire, and it weighs 366 lb (166 kg) wet. Yamaha gives it sharp styling, with full LED lighting and an X-shaped face. The standard list is long: ABS, traction control, a keyless system, smartphone connectivity and a USB charging port. The part that matters most sits under the seat, with room for two full-face helmets. That's the headline.

On paper, this hardware is built for the daily grind: the commute, the errands, the weekly shop. Yamaha says it designed the XMAX 125 with a roomy riding position and a plush seat for all-day comfort, aimed squarely at urban commuters. The upright stance and dual-level seat fit that brief. The preload-adjustable rear suspension lets you set the back end for a passenger or a loaded bag. Add a 3.5 gal (13.2 L) tank and a 31.5 in (800 mm) seat height, and the rider it points to is clear: you want an everyday tool that does the boring jobs properly. With 12 hp setting the pace, it lives in the city and the suburbs. Exactly the point.