Australians and scooters. It's a strange relationship. Apart from delivery riders dumping off pad Thai and those that have already clued on to the fact that scooters are a fun, easy, convenient and cheap way to get about, many of us are a bit anti-scooter.
What's even more bizarre is that as a nation that doesn't do scooters well like, say, the Spanish, Italians or pretty much any of the Asian countries you care to mention, the minute we land in Bali we can't wait to don our Bintang singlets and terrorise the Kuta traffic until we smear ourselves into the bitumen.
Now, lack of scooter love makes even less sense when you realise scooters are actually brilliant. They're simple to ride, cheap to run, sip barely any fuel, and even offer decent storage under a proper seat. They are perfect for commuting, quick runs to the pub, or a dash to the shops. They simply make sense as an around-town form of transport.
Yamaha knows this better than most and has a vast range of scoots to please most tastes, but as a scooter that combines practicality, ability and fun-time rides, the NMAX 155 is where it's at. It is decked with pretty trick features, seriously good build quality, and a budget-friendly ride-away price tag that makes it an absolute no-brainer for those looking to get their commuter on.
The NMAX isn't new to the market, but it has received some significant upgrades for 2025 which have rendered an already fantastic twist-and-go ride even better. First cab off the rank is the addition of Yamaha's Electric Continuously Variable Transmission-which ditches the standard twist-and-go by offering an actual downshift function. Yep, you read that right: a downshift button on a scooter. Press it once, twice, or three times and the NMAX 155 adjusts the CVT's reduction ratio to mimic the effect of a traditional gearbox. Yep, a scooter that lets you drop a gear and disappear – neat!
There are also two selectable ride modes-Town (T) and Sport (S). Town prioritises fuel economy, while Sport sharpens up the throttle response and alters engine braking. With a miserly drinking habit even in Sport mode, whether the two-mode feature is worth having will of course depend on your needs.
Speaking of engine stuff, the 155cc single-cylinder is a familiar one-liquid-cooled, four-valve, SOHC with Yamaha's clever VVA (Variable Valve Actuation) system and a low-friction Blue Core design. It pumps out around 11.3kW (15hp) and Yamaha reckons you'll see 300km from the 7.1L tank, which is a big hunk of commuting time.
Comfort and handling have been quietly overhauled too. The rear suspension gains 5mm of stroke and revised damping, while the front gets softer springing and an oil lock system for better bump absorption and loaded-up stability. Translation? It soaks up potholes like a proper adult. Whether you're solo, hauling groceries, or doubling a mate (I know this because I did it), it stays composed and comfy even if you're pushing the pint-sized scooter harder than what Yamaha probably intended.
Disc brakes front and rear do a fine job of hauling the little jigger up, and the 13-inch wheels offer decent stability for such a small machine. Traction control is on hand in case the city gets greasy.
For an entry-level scooter, there's a fair bit of tech at your fingertips. The new cockpit is all class with a twin-screen layout-a crisp 4.2-inch TFT alongside a 3.7-inch LCD-which can link to your phone via Yamaha's Y-Connect app, and you'll get messages, music, email, weather, even a nav system courtesy of Garmin StreetCross.
The all-LED lighting setup looks sharp and modern, with new projector headlights, and the bodywork has also received a tickle-it's a smart-looking package that feels more premium than some scooters on the market. At 132kg wet, the NMAX is light and nimble, yet it feels solid, well-built, and certainly looks it.
Storage is what you'd expect from a proper city runabout-enough room under the seat for most full-face helmets (depending on shape), plus two front compartments for sunnies, snacks, and your phone. Only the right one is weatherproof, so plan accordingly.
All in all, it's a smart-looking scoot at a good price that can bang along just fine. It's at home in town, but it's got enough legs to rip out a cheeky motorway run between satellite cities, and it has enough squirt to get off the lights in a snappy fashion.
Is it exciting? If you want it to be, yeah. Is it practical? Absolutely. Is it good value? No question. With the cost of living somewhere near redline, buying an NMAX makes sense, your attitude, should it be negative, does not.
Words Pete Vorst and Photography Motohead Media
