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We tested the Yamaha NMAX 125: an urban scooter for the car license that now starts without a key but maintains a reasonable price
We tested the Yamaha NMAX 125: an urban scooter for the car license that now starts without a key but maintains a reasonable price

Video: We tested the Yamaha NMAX 125: an urban scooter for the car license that now starts without a key but maintains a reasonable price

Video: We tested the Yamaha NMAX 125: an urban scooter for the car license that now starts without a key but maintains a reasonable price
Video: The Best 50cc Scooter for Car Drivers 2024, March
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With social distancing, individual mobility options seem more and more appealing to us. The 125cc scooter segment is being revitalized and within this framework comes the Yamaha NMAX 125, a model that continues to grow in its history behind the XMAX and TMAX family, made to scale and with very good arguments to convince.

It's just as accessible, affordable, and easy to use as before, but now the NMAX 125 becomes more technological, more connected and more secure. Incidentally, it also adapts to the Euro5 regulations and consumes really little.

Yamaha NMAX 125: logical evolution

Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 006
Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 006

Yamaha has been one of the broadest scooter families on the market for years. The Iwata manufacturer has segmented its catalog between two branches: Sport Scooter and Urban Mobility. Two families that share DNA but with different purposes.

Of course, the most interesting options for the mainstream public could not be missing in the Japanese house, so the Yamaha NMAX 125 has been renewed to satisfy all those car drivers who want a scooter something more than urban or for motorists who do not need more to move on a day-to-day basis.

Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 018
Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 018

Do not forget that the Yamaha NMAX 125 is not a rookie in the category. This small scooter that straddles the GT style and the sporty design of the brand has managed to monopolize 60% of the sales of all Yamaha scooters, placing more than 18,000 units in Europe in 2020 and exceeding 737,000 units worldwide in 2019.

The new Yamaha NMAX 125 evolves from the outgoing model, while maintaining the same exterior design philosophy. Yes it is true that has gained several integers in terms of attractiveness although it is still not a spectacular model.

Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 019
Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 019

Its dimensions are contained, more than suitable for a public looking for a good scooter to move around the city. It has a length of 1,935 mm and a weight of 131 kg in order of march, it is not surprising that it is one of those scooters that moving them while standing still is an extremely simple task and that helps those drivers coming from the B license to gain confidence from the first minute.

Outwardly the design has evolved with respect to what we already knew. The front is characterized by a large lighthouse that pretends to be a double and that looks like it has gotten angry if we compare it with the previous generation. Below the indicators are still integrated into the fairing and above there is a small dark screen. Too small even with the naked eye.

Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 016
Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 016

In the middle area of the NMAX 125 we can see other modifications to the bodywork such as those side bumpers that serve to protect the motorcycle in the event of a fall. The rims are also redesigned and the general shapes maintain the banana line that their older sisters use with the TMAX 560 as an absolute reference.

Coming to the rear the rider has also been modified and considerably more than the front. Now the optical group resorts to led technology and it keeps the indicators integrated, leaving a much more stylized rear. Above, a luggage rack acts as a handle for the passenger.

Ease of movement, agility and technology

Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 Test 016
Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 Test 016

When we put ourselves at the controls, the Yamaha NMAX 125 confirms what we expected and feels like a very manageable scooter in which the seat is at an accessible height with only 765 mm off the ground and narrow shapes that allow us to reach the asphalt well with both feet.

Possibly the biggest change that the NMAX 125 has undergone is not seen with the naked eye, but at the usability level it has improved many integers. The experience of driving the small NMAX 125 begins without having to remove the key, because now it comes standard with a small command that helps us to activate the contact through the rotary switch. Along with this command are also the buttons to open the tank and the seat.

Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 005
Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 005

This keyless start is not the only technical novelty, as the connectivity takes on a fundamental role in a model aimed primarily at a young audience and, above all, connected. Through the Yamaha MyRide application, the NMAX 125 and our phone are linked to display message alerts or incoming calls on the dashboard. The message does not appear, but simply the notice that someone is communicating with us.

In addition, this application also allows other interesting functions such as the route recording that we have made, statistics of inclination, maximum and average speeds and other data of the route, in addition to being able to share them with our acquaintances.

Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 Test 015
Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 Test 015

This supposes an extra added value to the product and a way of differentiation with respect to the competition, since no other rival of the segment to which this NMAX 125 belongs implements it. We do not find the distraction of calls and messages being notified particularly useful, but it has other capabilities that are practical, such as remind us where we have parked.

We've had a bit of fun fiddling with the MyRide app, so we refocus and start the Yamaha NMAX 125. The little engine comes to life in a rather discreet way, waiting for commands from the right fist.

Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 007
Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 007

We begin to move and, finally, we feel the ease with which this small-medium size scooter. It is the city reduced to two wheels, a small motorcycle with which to travel the corners of the city … and much more. The presentation organized by Yamaha for this first contact took place in the streets and surroundings of the historic city of Seville, an ideal environment for this motorcycle.

The engine pushes well from below, it is smooth but responsive with a Enough doses of torque and power in the mid zone more than in the upper. It may not be one of the most powerful engines in the category, but its lightness works in its favor to move it with ease between urban traffic, pedestrians and traffic lights.

Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 Test 013
Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 Test 013

The propeller is a water-cooled four-stroke single cylinder, the same as the one already mounted on the previous model but completely redesigned. For this 2021 the Yamaha NMAX 125 has been prepared to surpass the Euro5 standard, so in Iwata they have resorted to the technique to contain the emissions without losing performance.

Thus, the mechanics enclose a new VVA variable distribution system that acts on the intake valve (now larger, 20.5 mm), new cylinder head, higher compression (11, 2: 1) and cylinder with DiASil coating. In addition, a new intelligent motor-generator is also used that eliminates the primary gear and achieves quieter and more immediate starts.

Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 008
Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 008

This last change is essential to put in place the new Start & Stop system that promises a considerable reduction in consumption up to 2.1 liters / 100 km. A system that can be activated or deactivated at the touch of a button but which in our opinion is an advantage that we should not give up. It works really well, there is hardly any lag between turning the right fist and it starts and, incidentally, we get some consumption that in our case they stayed at 2.3 liters / 100 km.

Consumption seems very close to reality but that we should contrast in a thorough test. The brand promises an improvement of almost 40 km over the previous model, going from 286 km to 323 km for each 7 liter tank.

Apart from consuming little, the propellant of the Yamaha NMAX 125 hardly loses bellows. Get to keep the type with a maximum power of 12.2 hp and 11.2 Nm of torque. They could be better figures, closer to the legal limit of 15 hp, but for the type of scooter that is performance is sufficient. We only missed more response in interurban sections, since on the highway links it was quite difficult for him to reach and roll over 100 km / h.

Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 Test 018
Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 Test 018

The Yamaha NMAX 125 is a completely new motorcycle at all levels. In addition to these mechanical variations, the chassis itself is new with a redesigned tubular steel frame It offers greater rigidity and improves legroom thanks to a more compact central reinforcement.

It is true that it is very far from being a flat ground scooter, but the platforms have enough space. Not as much as we would like forward, but enough so that someone of medium / tall size does not feel oppressed.

Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 014
Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 014

Also new are the engine mounts with rubber gaskets to reduce vibrations. Without having taken the previous NMAX 125, we would not know if it vibrates more or less, but we can say that this NMAX 125 2021 vibrates really little at any speed and not even the typical blur appears in the mirrors. Mirrors that are set too low for our liking and force us to look away a lot.

As for the suspensions, we have a set similar to that of the outgoing generation, although with changes. The front fork is a telescopic with 30mm stanchions and 100mm of travel while the dual rear shock receives new adjustments for a more progressive 86mm travel. They work well, with a clearly comfortable setting but without hesitation. If someone wants something more premium, Yamaha optionally sells a pair of Öhlins rear shocks. We don't quite understand why, but there they are.

Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 Test 005
Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 Test 005

What is very useful is the commitment to the safety of the Japanese brand. For the first time the Yamaha NMAX 125 incorporates a traction control. A fairly basic system since it uses the ABS sensors and is not particularly fine, but in case the thing gets out of hand on slippery ground it is always well received. It acts on the injection and ignition in a rather abrupt way as we could see on the wet cobblestones of Seville, but it works, which is what counts.

The brake team for their parthenos left us with a pleasant taste in the mouth. They do not brake insanely, but they brake like they are supposed to brake, in addition to having the addition of a dual channel ABS that is not particularly intrusive.

More practicality for the Yamaha NMAX 125, at a reasonable price

Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 015
Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 015

After traveling a good handful of kilometers with the Yamaha NMAX 125, it must be recognized that Yamaha has achieved a very refined product, and that is also comfortable. The seat is wide and soft, the platforms allow us to rest our feet in the most vertical area and the absence of vibrations allows us to travel many kilometers without feeling tired.

What yes we miss even on the fastest roads in the city is a higher screen. Yes, a low and black screen is more sporty, but it leaves us completely exposed to the wind. We also do not want a high screen that covers us completely, but we do want an intermediate point that at least takes off a bit from the control panel.

Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 Test 009
Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 Test 009

Regarding the practicality of the model, and having contrasted its practicality in the process, we still need to see how useful it is on a day-to-day basis. The load capacity is always something fundamental in these vehicles and in this case we have two glove boxes under the handlebar: on the left side one without a cover where it is advisable not to leave anything in case of rain (with 12V socket) and on the left side one with a cover. Both have a good capacity, but on the right it would lack a closure to secure the content once we leave it parked.

Its contained dimensions are not at odds with a good space under the seat, and inside there is room for a capacity of 23 liters, enough for a full face helmet and something else. Be careful, not all integrals fit, the Nexx X. R2 that we used for this test for example does not fit due to its pointed spoiler. An HJC RPHA11 on the other hand does fit.

Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 011
Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 011

In short, the Yamaha NMAX 125 has seemed to us a constant, logical and successful evolution of a model that is seen a lot on the street despite not being one of the favorite models on the market. It is a model that offers this 2021 even more than before for a price that is still quite tight: 3,299 euros. Available colors are Anodized Red, Phantom Blue, and Power Gray.

Its most direct rival would be a Honda PCX 125, a model that currently sells for slightly less, 3,150 euros, with similar attributes: low weight, keyless start, low fuel consumption and urban character, although with perhaps a little better performance thanks to its four-valve cylinder head and a small step above in quality.

Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 008
Yamaha Nmax 125 2021 008

Yamaha NMAX 125 2021 - Rating

7.0

Motor 6 Vibrations 9 Change 7 Stability 7 Agility 8 Front suspension 6 Rear suspension 6 Front brake 7 Back brake 6 Pilot comfort 8 Passenger comfort N / A Consumption N / A Finishes 7 Esthetic 7

In favor

  • Agility and ride comfort
  • Aesthetic improvement
  • Traction control as standard
  • Adjusted consumption

Against

  • Mirror position too low
  • Fair Power Engine
  • Keyless glove box
  • Low series display
  • Yamaha NMAX 125 2021 - Technical sheet

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    Topics

    • Scooter
    • Testing area
    • Yamaha
    • Yamaha NMAX 125

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