Launched in Malaysia in September the previous yr, the Yamaha NVX 155 scooter, priced at RM11,998, is facing some stiff competition within the local market, notably from the China brands. Scooters have gotten ever more popular with many two-wheel transport to get past the traffic jams.
Scooters are a no brainer selection for the each day commute and the Malaysian scooter market is booming, helped by those wanting to address the rising cost of living and to save lots of time commuting. The Yamaha NVX, often known as the Aerox in some ASEAN markets, has been a well-liked selection for nearly 20 years, since its introduction in 1997.
The formula for the NVX 155 is easy. Take Yamaha’s Bluecore VVA engine, also utilized in the Yamaha NMax, and slip it into sporty bodywork. Throw in features found on the larger motorcycles and scooters in Yamaha’s lineup, and also you get the NVX 155 SP.
To be fair, the NVX 155 SP is something of an acquired taste, standing because it does between the standard step-through scooter and the standard underbone motorcycle. Styling is o the sporty side of things, with a truncated rear end and a somewhat wide front cowl.
Thing is, the 2017 NVX 155 was a scooter we found fetching enough to make our Top Five Bike list of the yr. But, how does the newest iteration of Yamaha’s super scooter measure up?
That the NVX has received some serious upgrades and updates is apparent, motorcycle technology having marched on within the intervening nine years. First, and most evident is the instrument panel, now an LCD unit with graphics mimicking the Yamaha R1.
Strangely enough, there’s a lap timer, something I suppose will add to the “race bike” style much beloved of the younger riders. One other area of improvement is within the braking and handling departments.
The version of the VX provided 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 rate for the front forks has also been revised, with the front much firmer now while the yo-yo motion from the rear during hard cornering is gone, or at the acute, very much minimised.
What this offers the NVX is a nimble, quick steering feel, making it very suitable for quick work through city traffic. That is helped by the short wheelbase, allowing for rapid changes of direction.
The downside, in fact, is highway stability is somewhat lacking, this being the trade-off. It could or will not be possible to put in a steering damper, but that will likely be left to the aftermarket. Ridden at “normal” speeds, the NVX is perfectly high quality, and taking corners at highway speeds isn’t a problem, showing stability in fast sweepers if the body weight is placed appropriately.
Weighing in at 130 kg, the NVX 155 SP is about middling so far as scooters go when it comes to weight, and at highway speeds, in all fairness stable in a straight line. Twisting the throttle open a bit more though, shows a slight tendency to weave and a few vagueness within the steering which requires a deft touch on the bars to maintain things on the straight and narrow.
By way of styling, the NVX has all the time followed the “sporty” school of styling. The truncated rear end makes the VX look shortened, almost like a “chibi” character. The front cowl is broad, and does provide some wind protection for the lower body while those 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 comfort was acceptable for a scooter, with the cut of the rider seat allowing shorter riders to get feet on the bottom a bit more comfortably.
Reach to the handlebars was close, close enough to make this rider feel cramped. Trying to realize a bit distance to the bars by sitting a bit further back was defeated by the seat hump, making finding a “good” position a bit difficult.
In the event you’re near the six-foot (1.86 metres) mark in height, pay attention to this. Finding a cushty position in your feet can also be a problem on the floorboards should you’re a giraffe.
The NVX being a step-over design quite than a step-through – the 5.5-litre fuel tank is situated within the “hump” – there really isn’t a number of place to place the rider’s feet. Thus, though of you with size 12 shoes should have a look at possibly the X-Max or T-Max is you actually need a Yamaha scooter.
Braking has also seen an improvement over the previous generation, with the front brake nnow slowing the NVX to a confident stop with firm pressure on the lever, and a rear disc brake is standard equipment, replacing the previous mechanical drum brake model we first rode in 2017. As per the previous generation NVX we rode, this scooter may be very sensitive to tyre pressure.
We would have liked to lift and lower the tyre pressures a bit until we found the sweet spot for our riding style. In any case, a advice we’d make can be to swap the OEM tyres out for something more upmarket with higher performance, as we found the stock rubber a bit sketchy within the wet.
Coming to the LCD display, Bluetooth connectivity is out there using the Yamaha Y-Connect app is provided, giving the rider with a rage of functions including service intervals and bike locater, while the display itself has three options, including a “Race” display with lap timer.
The important thing selling point of the 2026 NVX 155 SP is, in fact, the Y-ECVT gearbox. Called “Turbo” in other markets, the Y-ECVT functions as an electronic step down for the gearbox, called Y-Shift together with two ride modes – Town ad 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 lower ratio, allowing the rider to realize acceleration going uphill or experience engine braking while downhill. The mode is held while the throttle is constant, and twisting the throttle returns the Y-ECVT to normal operation.
There are three modes to the Y-Shift, Low, Medium and High, giving corresponding changes in gearbox performance. We found the Y-ECVT most useful going uphill, allowing the VX to “hold” a gear and maintain speed, especially when the scooter is loaded with a passenger.
So, who needs a NVX 155 ABS? This scooter will appeal most to the younger rider, with its compact dimensions and nimble handling.
This Article First Appeared At paultan.org
