Yamaha Aerox 155:In India, a 150cc motorcycle was regarded as a performance bike not too long ago; today, 650cc twins are regularly spotted in the metro areas. The market for scooters has also changed; larger 125cc scooters are now accepted and embraced, whereas smaller 100cc and 110cc scooters were once preferred. Even Aprilia has produced 150 and 160cc sports scooters, though those had very basic 3-valve, air-cooled engines. Is the 155cc liquid-cooled sports scooter in true blue acceptable to the Indian market? Yamaha, with its recently released Yamaha Aerox 155 maxi-sports scooter, is about to find out.
Aerox 155 by Yamaha Design
The Yamaha Aerox 155 is transforming the scooter market with more than just its liquid-cooled engine. Its unique design. Its step-through format makes it stand out from the sea of flat floorboards in India right away, but even though it has a distinctive form factor, many buyers searching for a more useful machine are likely to find it prohibitive. Even for those who are not in the market for an Aerox, it is difficult to argue against its incredible appearance.
Fitting its mean-looking LED headlights and nicely contoured bodywork, the Yamaha Aerox 155 has a villainous fascia to match its aggressive design. A robust exhaust system, twin shock absorbers at the back, and 14-inch wheels on both ends with extremely large tyres all contribute to the substance of the Yamaha Aerox 155, which has a noticeable presence on our roads despite its slender 126kg curb weight.
When you are forced to look more closely by that presence, you will find areas that need work. Some areas, such as the bodywork and switchgear—particularly the double-layered bodywork on either side of the lower apron—feel and look pretty good. However, there are certain areas that don’t feel quite right, like the loose fuel filler flap, the uneven floormats, and the pillion footpegs that don’t sit flush against the bodywork. In addition, the scooter has a few uneven panel gaps and shut lines; given the Aerox’s standing in the industry, Yamaha Aerox 155 would be wise to fix these flaws.
But even with all of its bulk, it’s not the roomiest scooter available. Not only is there not room for luggage on the floorboard, but there isn’t much room for your feet either. Taller riders’ knees will constantly be fouled by the front apron’s design, and the seat’s noticeable step prevents you from sliding back too far. If you hit a bump in this situation, you might even hurt your knees.
However, underneath the seat is one area with lots of room. Its prominent spine section now houses the fuel tank, giving you a roomy 24.5 litres beneath the saddle. However, for a scooter with these kind of credentials, the fuel tank—which holds just 5.5 liters—is unquestionably on the smaller side.
Features
Despite not being as feature-rich as, say, a high-end electric scooter, the Yamaha Aerox 155 occupies a premium market niche and offers a good number of features. In addition to having fully digital instrumentation, the tail lamp matches the headlights in being an LED unit (LED flashers are an optional extra that cost Rs 1,490 per pair). We’re happy to report that mass-market two-wheelers are increasingly sporting LED headlights, and the Aerox unit functions admirably as well, offering good brightness and spread. Along with the typical trip and fuel consumption data, a tachometer, a VVA indicator, and other information is also displayed on the digital cluster.
Although it comes with Bluetooth connectivity, the system’s functionality is fairly limited, just like the majority of Yamaha Aerox 155 systems in India. Although there are no controls for music playback or on-screen navigation, you can check your last parked location, receive call and SMS alerts and use your phone as an additional dashboard for the scooter, among other features.
Fuel stops don’t require you to get out of the car because of the fuel tank’s location, which makes it obvious that the filler is external. A sleek multi-function keyslot makes opening the flap a smooth process as well. Yamaha has also included a great stop-start system to help lessen the frequency between those openings. The package is completed by a tiny cubbyhole on the apron’s back that has a side-stand cut-off feature, a single-channel ABS, and a DC charging port.
It’s important to note that the international version of the Yamaha Aerox 155 has keyless operation, whereas the India-spec model does not. Preload-adjustable gas-charged shock absorbers are also supplied as standard equipment in many foreign markets, but the Indian Yamaha Aerox 155 is only equipped with non-adjustable shocks; the gas-charged units are an optional extra that will set you back Rs 17,024.
Performance
Yes, the crux of the issue. A transplanted heart, as the Yamaha Aerox 155 liquid-cooled, 4-valve 155cc engine is largely based on the R15’s engine and even features VVA technology, similar to its sportsbike sibling. Even though it doesn’t have as much power as the R15, this scooter still has one of the fastest acceleration times in the nation. Although the Yamaha Aerox 155 doesn’t quite have the same instantaneous burst of acceleration as an EV, once it gets going it is appropriately fast and very linear, and it doesn’t let up until the speedometer reaches triple digits. There isn’t much competition in the scooter market.
With a healthy (15 horsepower, by scooter standards) output, it feels nimble in the city, easily grabbing gaps in traffic and cutting stop light intervals. On the other hand, it handles 90 to 100 kph smoothly while driving on the highway. Even then, you are getting close to the end of its performance, but you still have a little left over for overtaking. The motor felt perfectly smooth and refined even at the highest speed we saw, which was 117 kph, as it does throughout the whole rev range. The scooter also has a nice, crisp throttle response that connects you to it without making you jump around or get too excited in city traffic thanks to its nice, crisp throttle response.
However, you should anticipate both performance and refinement from this motor. The fact that it can have exceptional fuel efficiency when used properly might surprise you. It is true that the efficiency falls significantly below 40 kpl when riding vigorously. But once you take it down a notch, things become much better. Because of its incredible power, you can manoeuvre around without using very wide throttle openings. In the city, the Aerox can even reach up to 50 kpl when operated carefully with the right hand. When travelling on the highway, maintain a steady speed of 65 to 70 km/h to maximise your gains!
The exceptional fuel efficiency of the Yamaha Aerox 155 in urban environments is partly attributed to its exceptional stop-start system. The engine has killed before the front fork has even finished rebounding from stopping. And even if you’re caught off guard when the light turns green, the Yamaha Aerox 155 has you covered. Its integrated starter generator unit instantly kicks the motor into action when you twist the throttle.
The engine’s noise is its one weakness, if there is one. The exhaust note is fairly bland, and the whole experience could have been greatly enhanced with a sportier soundtrack to match the vehicle’s sporty vibe.
Ride & Handling
Another area where the Yamaha Aerox 155 differs greatly from the majority of scooters available in India is handling. The Yamaha Aerox 155 feels noticeably heavier to steer and takes more work to tip into bends than the featherlight, quick-turning scooters we’re used to riding. The benefit of this, however, is unwavering calmness and stability. Your confidence is greatly increased by this scooter because it feels steady and sure-footed at any speed or lean angle. Its large 14-inch wheels and wide tyres help with stability and heavy steering, and it has excellent line holding ability. Actually, the Aerox has a nearly motorcycle-like feel when navigating turns.
Fortunately, the Yamaha Aerox 155 is very controllable in the city and the heaviness of the handling isn’t felt as much at low speeds. Although its 790mm seat height makes it slightly taller than most scooters, it’s still very accessible, and at low speeds, it feels more like its 126kg kerb weight. There’s also plenty of steering lock available.
But ride quality suffers as a result of all this handling prowess. The Aerox features twin rear shock absorbers that are set up on the firmer side, in contrast to the majority of petrol scooters in India that use a monoshock. The ride isn’t particularly plush or comfortable, even though the front fork feels decent. There’s a noticeable hard edge to the shocks. Nevertheless, it’s also not jarring or harsh. There’s not much to complain about when travelling at high speeds or on smooth pavement, but hitting bumps while travelling at city speeds isn’t the most enjoyable experience. Yamaha does offer optional gas-charged shock absorbers from KYB with preload adjustability if you do want a bit extra comfort.
However, braking is one area where there are no add-ons to address the flaws. Although the 230mm front disc brake provides roughly sufficient stopping power, the lever could use more feel and modulation. The 130mm drum brake at the back feels positively weak, which is the actual issue. The addition of a rear disc brake, in our opinion, would be very beneficial for this scooter and ought to be an option.
Verdict
By releasing the Aerox 155 in India, Yamaha has shown a great deal of bravery considering that this is not the kind of scooter that will blow up sales figures. Yamaha most likely is aware of this as well. However, that does not negate the possibility that it will succeed on its own. Because of its powerful engine and smooth CVT, it offers quick and easy city transportation. Because there is plenty of storage space beneath the seat, it is also more convenient than a motorcycle. Not only is it a fun scooter in the twisties, but it’s also comfortable on the highway. The Aerox needs to be on your shopping list if any of these features appeal to you.
Yamaha Aerox 155 Review on You-Tube
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