Yamaha NVX 155 - Top alternatives

One of the most advanced underbone scooters available in the country is the Yamaha NVX 155. With extremely stylish looks and features like ABS and great performance from its 155 cc engine, this is as good an underbone as you can buy in the country today.

There was a lot of hype before its launch here and the hype was indeed real when the bike finally arrived in 2017. If for some reason you still don’t want one, here are its best alternatives.

Yamaha NMAX

Yamaha has yet another premium scooter on its lineup. The TMAX inspired NMAX is a maxi scooter design that is aimed at the more sophisticated urban commuter. The design features a large windshield, compact proportions, restrained styling and that relaxed sit in the scooter riding position. The fuel tank resides under the floorboard and can be accessed from the high spine. The under seat storage is massive and can easily store a full face helmet. The instrumentation is fully digital.

The Yamaha NMAX is powered by a 155 cc single cylinder engine with 4 valves per cylinder. It is liquid cooled, fuel injected and also uses variable valve actuation along with Yamaha’s Blue Core tech. With all these enhancements the power produced is 14.88 hp at 8000 rpm. Peak torque of 14.4 Nm comes at 6000 rpm. Both these figures are slightly larger than its main rival - the Honda PCX - while around the same mark as the NVX itself. And similarly, the NMAX can also be taken to high speeds on a short notice and with little effort. The VVA delivers just the right kind of performance at every speed. Speeds of over 120 kmph are easily within reach. Thanks to its fuel injection mapping and Blue Core tech, the fuel economy of up to 30 kmpl is also achievable. With a 6.6-litre tank, it can last for up to 200 km. With so much performance and such a high price, braking cannot be left out.

Naturally, Yamaha has provided the bike with 230 mm hydraulic disc brakes on both wheels. There is, however, no ABS offered with this bike – even as an optional extra. The same option is available in Indonesian markets. So, Yamaha’s excuse of keeping the price low does not make sense. Still, at the price of RM 8812, the NMAX is a lot cheaper than the NVX. It is also much cheaper than the PCX which sells for RM 11000.

Honda PCX

The Honda PCX was the first maxi-scooter in Malaysia and pretty much started the whole trend. It created a niche and now enjoys its position at the top of it. The Honda PCX was one of the most advanced scooters available in the country at the time of its launch in 2011. Seven years later it has gone through multiple upgrades and continues to have that same reputation. Honda might even launch an electric and a hybrid version of the scooter very soon. The newest design is one of the best executions of the maxi scooter with a small capacity engine. There is still the same tall central spine, stepped seat and huge windshield on the curved front end. But it seems very well proportioned. The front gets a new fascia with dual LED headlights and DRLs and indicators. A high blackened windshield pulls the whole front end together while also being very functional. The body panels and the grab rails create a sporty yet restrained silhouette. It is certainly more handsome than the NMAX and gives the NVX some tough competition albeit with a different aesthetic.

The scooter has also been made more comfortable. Instrumentation is a combination of the analog speedometer and a digital display. There is also a 12 V charging outlet within a lidded compartment. The underseat storage has been also made bigger to 25 L that can easily store a full face helmet. The PCX is powered using a single cylinder 149 cc 2-valve SOHC water cooled and fuel injected engine. Max power output of 12.43 hp at 8500 rpm and peak torque output of 13 Nm at 5500 rpm is not at the same level of the two Yamahas.

However, it is more refined thanks to Honda’s V Matic transmission and eSP or enhanced smart power. This scooter then is capable of reaching speeds of up to 100 kmph while also delivering 44 kmpl mileage figures. Like the NVX, the PCX too comes with a switchable Idling Stop system. Braking, however, has not been given the same priority as it comes with only one disc brake in the front and a drum brake on the rear. There is no disc brake either. It does, however, come with a remote response key that helps you locate the bike in crowded parking spaces.

At nearly RM 10000, the Yamaha NVX 155 competes not just against the Honda PCX and Yamaha’s own NMAX - it comes with the performance and goodies to go head to head against many motorcycles. But, if you feel that the NVX is a little too sporty or not grown up enough for you, then these two should have you more than covered.