Launched in Malaysia in September the earlier yr, the Yamaha NVX 155 scooter, priced at RM11,998, is dealing with some stiff competitors within the native market, notably from the China manufacturers. Scooters have gotten ever extra common with many two-wheel transport to get previous the visitors jams.
Scooters are a no brainer alternative for the each day commute and the Malaysian scooter market is booming, helped by these wanting to deal with the rising value of dwelling and to save lots of time commuting. The Yamaha NVX, often known as the Aerox in some ASEAN markets, has been a well-liked alternative for practically 20 years, since its introduction in 1997.
The system for the NVX 155 is easy. Take Yamaha’s Bluecore VVA engine, additionally used within the Yamaha NMax, and slip it into sporty bodywork. Throw in options discovered on the bigger bikes and scooters in Yamaha’s lineup, and also you get the NVX 155 SP.
To be honest, the NVX 155 SP is one thing of an acquired style, standing because it does between the normal step-through scooter and the everyday underbone motorbike. Styling is o the sporty aspect of issues, with a truncated rear finish and a considerably huge entrance cowl.
Factor is, the 2017 NVX 155 was a scooter we discovered fetching sufficient to make our Prime 5 Bike record of the yr. However, how does the newest iteration of Yamaha’s tremendous scooter measure up?
That the NVX has obtained some critical upgrades and updates is clear, motorbike expertise having marched on within the intervening 9 years. First, and most blatant is the instrument panel, now an LCD unit with graphics mimicking the Yamaha R1.
Unusually sufficient, there’s a lap timer, one thing I suppose will add to the “race bike” model a lot beloved of the youthful riders. One other space of enchancment is within the braking and dealing with departments.
The model of the VX offered to paultan.org by Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) is the ‘SP”, which comes with twin shock absorbers with distant reservoirs and adjustable for spring preload. Damping fee for the entrance forks has additionally been revised, with the entrance a lot firmer now whereas the yo-yo movement from the rear throughout arduous cornering is gone, or on the excessive, very a lot minimised.
What this offers the NVX is a nimble, fast steering really feel, making it very appropriate for fast work by means of metropolis visitors. That is helped by the quick wheelbase, permitting for speedy modifications of course.
The downside, in fact, is freeway stability is considerably missing, this being the trade-off. It might or will not be attainable to put in a steering damper, however that shall be left to the aftermarket. Ridden at “regular” speeds, the NVX is completely effective, and taking corners at freeway speeds isn’t a difficulty, exhibiting stability in quick sweepers if the physique weight is positioned appropriately.
Weighing in at 130 kg, the NVX 155 SP is about middling so far as scooters go by way of weight, and at freeway speeds, is fairly steady in a straight line. Twisting the throttle open a bit extra although, exhibits a slight tendency to weave and a few vagueness within the steering which requires a deft contact on the bars to maintain issues on the straight and slim.
By way of styling, the NVX has all the time adopted the “sporty” faculty of styling. The truncated rear finish makes the VX look shortened, virtually like a “chibi” character. The entrance cowl is broad, and does present some wind safety for the decrease physique whereas these wanting to cover from the wind might want to search for a taller windshield.
Seating is redesigned, with a produced “hump” between rider and pillion. Seat consolation was acceptable for a scooter, with the lower of the rider seat permitting shorter riders to get ft on the bottom a bit extra comfortably.
Attain to the handlebars was shut, shut sufficient to make this rider really feel cramped. Making an attempt to achieve a bit distance to the bars by sitting a bit additional again was defeated by the seat hump, making discovering a “excellent” place a bit tough.
If you happen to’re near the six-foot (1.86 metres) mark in peak, pay attention to this. Discovering a cushty place to your ft might also be a difficulty on the floorboards when you’re a giraffe.
The NVX being a step-over design quite than a step-through – the 5.5-litre gasoline tank is situated within the “hump” – there actually isn’t a variety of place to place the rider’s ft. Thus, although of you with measurement 12 sneakers ought to have a look at presumably the X-Max or T-Max is you actually desire a Yamaha scooter.
Braking has additionally seen an enchancment over the earlier technology, with the entrance brake nnow slowing the NVX to a assured cease with agency stress on the lever, and a rear disc brake is customary tools, changing the earlier mechanical drum brake mannequin we first rode in 2017. As per the earlier technology NVX we rode, this scooter may be very delicate to tyre stress.
We would have liked to lift and decrease the tyre pressures a bit till we discovered the candy spot for our using model. In any case, a suggestion we’d make could be to swap the OEM tyres out for one thing extra upmarket with higher efficiency, as we discovered the inventory rubber a bit sketchy within the moist.
Coming to the LCD show, Bluetooth connectivity is on the market utilizing the Yamaha Y-Join app is offered, giving the rider with a rage of features together with service intervals and bike locater, whereas the show itself has three choices, together with a “Race” show with lap timer.
The important thing promoting level of the 2026 NVX 155 SP is, in fact, the Y-ECVT gearbox. Known as “Turbo” in different markets, the Y-ECVT features as an digital step down for the gearbox, known as Y-Shift together with two journey modes – City advert Sport.
A push of the button on the left handlebar pod prompts a solenoid that brings the shift drum all the way down to a decrease ratio, permitting the rider to achieve acceleration going uphill or expertise engine braking whereas downhill. The mode is held whereas the throttle is fixed, and twisting the throttle returns the Y-ECVT to regular operation.
There are three modes to the Y-Shift, Low, Medium and Excessive, giving corresponding modifications in gearbox efficiency. We discovered the Y-ECVT most helpful going uphill, permitting the VX to “maintain” a gear and keep velocity, particularly when the scooter is loaded with a passenger.
So, who wants a NVX 155 ABS? This scooter will attraction most to the youthful rider, with its compact dimensions and nimble dealing with.
