The Yamaha NMAX 155 is the bike most often cross-shopped against the Honda PCX 160 at Chang Thai — and the one most travelers know least about before they arrive. It has been in continuous production since 2015 and has gone through several generations of updates, yet in Phuket it still gets treated as "the other one" next to Honda's more famous maxi-scooters. This guide goes deep on what the NMAX 155 actually is: real specifications sourced from Yamaha's own published data, how its engineering translates into the way it feels on Phuket roads, and where it fits if you are deciding what to rent for your trip.
In This Guide
- A Brief History of the Yamaha NMAX
- Full Official Specifications
- Design and Styling
- Digital Dashboard and Instrumentation
- The Engine and VVA Technology Explained
- Riding Position and Ergonomics
- Braking and ABS
- Storage and Practicality
- Fuel Economy and Real-World Range
- Suspension and Ride Quality on Phuket Roads
- NMAX 155 vs PCX 160: The Quick Difference
- NMAX 155 Rental Pricing at Chang Thai
- Who Should Rent the NMAX 155?
- FAQ
A Brief History of the Yamaha NMAX
Yamaha launched the original NMAX in February 2015 at the Sentul International Circuit in West Java, Indonesia, positioning it as a premium urban maxi-scooter aimed squarely at riders who wanted more presence and performance than a basic commuter model. A major second-generation redesign arrived in 2020, bringing a revised chassis, sharper styling, and the Smart Key system that Chang Thai's current fleet units still use. Since then, Yamaha has continued layering in updates across global markets — refined digital instrumentation, smoother CVT tuning, and in some markets, connectivity features under the Y-Connect banner. The 155cc version reviewed here is the higher-displacement variant sold across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, distinct from the 125cc version sold in some other regions for licensing reasons. A decade after launch, it remains one of the two or three most cross-shopped maxi-scooters in the region, which is exactly why it sits alongside the PCX 160 in our own fleet.
Full Official Specifications
The figures below are drawn from Yamaha's own published global specifications for the NMAX 155, cross-checked against the units in our own fleet. Minor regional variations exist between markets, but these numbers reflect the standard ABS variant rented across Thailand.
| Specification | Yamaha NMAX 155 |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 155cc, liquid-cooled, SOHC, 4-valve single cylinder, fuel injected |
| Max power | Approx. 15 hp (11.3 kW) @ 8,000 rpm |
| Max torque | Approx. 13.9 Nm @ 6,500 rpm |
| Transmission | V-belt automatic (CVT) |
| Curb weight | 127 kg |
| Seat height | 765 mm |
| Fuel tank capacity | 7.1 L |
| Under-seat storage | 25 L (fleet spec) |
| Front tire | 110/70-13 |
| Rear tire | 130/70-13 |
| Front suspension | Telescopic fork, 100mm travel |
| Rear suspension | Unit swing with twin shocks |
| Brakes | Front and rear disc, ABS standard |
Source: specifications referenced from Yamaha Motor's official NMAX 155 product data, cross-checked against our own fleet units.
Design and Styling
The NMAX 155 leans into a sharper, more angular design language than most maxi-scooters on the road in Phuket, with a compact LED headlight signature, a raked-forward windscreen, and bodywork that visually reads more like a small sport motorcycle than a traditional scooter. Chang Thai's units come in matte blue, white, and black, and the matte blue in particular has become something of a signature look for the model across Southeast Asia. It is a deliberate styling choice on Yamaha's part — where the PCX 160 aims for understated elegance, the NMAX 155 is built to look, and feel, faster than it necessarily is at a given throttle position.
Digital Dashboard and Instrumentation
The NMAX 155 uses a digital LCD instrument panel showing speed, fuel level, a gear-position-style CVT indicator, trip meters, and a clock, laid out with a dark background and high-contrast numerals designed to stay readable in direct tropical sunlight. Higher trims sold in some markets add a colour TFT display and Yamaha's Y-Connect smartphone pairing, which can log routes and flag maintenance reminders, but the standard units in Chang Thai's rental fleet use the simpler, highly legible monochrome LCD dash rather than the connected TFT variant — which, for a short-term rental, is arguably the more practical choice since there is no app account setup required before you ride.
The Engine and VVA Technology Explained
The NMAX 155's engine uses Yamaha's Variable Valve Actuation, commonly shortened to VVA. In plain terms, VVA changes the engine's valve timing depending on how hard you are riding: at low RPM it prioritizes smooth, fuel-efficient cruising, and once you open the throttle further it shifts to a more aggressive valve profile that favors stronger mid-range and top-end pull. The practical effect on Phuket's roads is noticeable when overtaking on the bypass road or merging into traffic at the Chalong roundabout — the engine picks up more urgently than a same-displacement engine without variable timing typically would. This is the single biggest technical difference between the NMAX 155 and the Honda PCX 160, which relies on a more conventional single-cam engine tuned for smoothness rather than outright response.
Riding Position and Ergonomics
Yamaha designed the NMAX around a sportier riding position than most maxi-scooters in its class. The handlebar sits slightly further forward and the seat is a touch firmer and narrower than the PCX 160's, putting the rider in a more engaged, forward-leaning posture rather than the relaxed, upright stance Honda favors. Riders who have previously owned a geared motorcycle tend to describe the NMAX as feeling more familiar and more directly connected to the road, particularly when cornering. The trade-off is comfort on very long rides — the firmer seat that helps with sporty handling is noticeably less forgiving after two or three hours than the PCX 160's wider, softer perch.
Braking and ABS
Every NMAX 155 in Chang Thai's fleet comes with front and rear disc brakes and standard ABS, which prevents wheel lock-up under hard braking on wet or loose surfaces. This matters more than it might sound: Phuket's roads mix sudden downpours, sand carried onto the tarmac near beach access roads, and drivers who stop abruptly without much warning. ABS does not shorten your stopping distance in ideal dry conditions, but it meaningfully reduces the chance of a skid when you have to brake hard and the surface is not perfect — which, in Phuket, is often.
Storage and Practicality
The under-seat compartment on our fleet's NMAX 155 units holds 25 liters, enough for a full-face helmet plus a light layer of clothing or a small day bag, though it is tighter than the Honda ADV 160's 30L box if you are traveling with more gear. The NMAX also uses Yamaha's Smart Key system, which lets you unlock the seat, release the fuel cap, and start the ignition without physically inserting a key, provided the fob is somewhere on your person. It is a small convenience that matters more than expected once you are juggling helmets, sunscreen, and shopping bags at a beachside 7-Eleven.
Fuel Economy and Real-World Range
With a 7.1 liter tank and the fuel efficiency typical of a 155cc VVA engine, the NMAX 155 comfortably covers 250 to 300 kilometers between fill-ups under mixed riding conditions, which in practice means several days of normal tourist riding around southern Phuket before you need to think about fuel again. Riding style affects this more than most people expect — using the engine's higher-output VVA range aggressively for overtaking and quick acceleration will bring real-world range down toward the lower end of that estimate, while steady cruising keeps you closer to the top end.
Suspension and Ride Quality on Phuket Roads
The NMAX 155's telescopic front fork and twin-shock rear end are tuned firmer than most scooters in its class, which pairs with its sportier riding position to give more precise, planted handling through corners — genuinely useful on winding coastal roads like the route toward Kata Noi or the back road out of Chalong. The firmer tuning does transmit more of Phuket's rougher patched asphalt and speed bumps directly to the rider compared to the softer-riding PCX 160, so which one feels "better" really depends on whether you prioritize cornering confidence or a plush ride over a full day.
NMAX 155 vs PCX 160: The Quick Difference
In short: the PCX 160 is the more comfortable, more relaxed choice for long, easy days and couples sharing one bike, while the NMAX 155 is the sportier, more engaging option for solo riders or anyone who has ridden geared motorcycles before and wants a scooter that responds more directly to throttle and lean input. Both are priced identically in our fleet, so the decision comes down entirely to riding feel rather than budget. For a full breakdown including the Honda ADV 160, see our Best Scooter Phuket 2026 comparison.
NMAX 155 Rental Pricing at Chang Thai
| Low Season | High Season | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | ฿450 | ฿500 |
| Weekly | ฿2,450 | ฿2,800 |
| Monthly | ฿6,700 | ฿7,500 |
Rates shown are Chang Thai's current published rates — see our pricing page for the latest figures before booking.
Who Should Rent the NMAX 155?
The NMAX 155 suits solo travelers who want a more engaging ride than a standard commuter scooter, anyone who has ridden a geared motorcycle before and finds fully relaxed scooters a bit dull, and riders planning routes with more corners than straight highway. It particularly rewards riders who enjoy a day spent on roads like the coastal stretch toward Kata Noi or the back road through Chalong, where its firmer suspension and sharper steering translate directly into a more satisfying ride. It is a less natural fit for two-up riding over long distances, where the wider-seated PCX 160 pulls ahead on comfort, and it is not the bike we would recommend for a nervous first-time rider, since its sportier geometry rewards a bit of prior riding confidence. For a full breakdown of which bike suits which type of traveler, see our rider guide to our fleet.
How Chang Thai Maintains Our NMAX 155 Fleet
Every NMAX 155 in our fleet goes through scheduled servicing between rentals, including oil changes, brake inspection, and tire wear checks, following Yamaha's recommended maintenance intervals rather than a generic rental-shop schedule. Because the engine's VVA system depends on clean oil flow to switch valve timing correctly, we treat oil change intervals for the NMAX slightly more conservatively than a basic commuter scooter would need, which is part of why our units continue to feel responsive rather than sluggish after months of rental use.
Where to Rent
The Yamaha NMAX 155 is available in blue, white, and black at all five Chang Thai branches: Phuket Airport, Mai Khao, Bang Tao, Chalong, and Phuket Town. Message us on LINE to check same-day availability for your preferred color.
FAQ
What does VVA actually do on the Yamaha NMAX 155?
It varies the engine's valve timing based on RPM, giving smoother low-speed running and stronger acceleration once you open the throttle further, rather than a single fixed valve profile compromising between the two.
Is the Yamaha NMAX 155 automatic, or does it have gears?
It is a fully automatic twist-and-go scooter using a CVT (continuously variable transmission), just like the Honda PCX 160 and ADV 160. No manual gear shifting is required.
How much storage does the NMAX 155 have compared to the PCX 160?
Our NMAX 155 units offer 25L of under-seat storage, broadly comparable to the PCX 160 and enough for a full-face helmet plus a light bag.
Does the NMAX 155 have ABS?
Yes, every NMAX 155 in our fleet comes with standard front and rear disc brakes and ABS.
Is the NMAX 155 a good choice for a beginner rider?
It is manageable for a careful beginner, but its firmer suspension and sportier geometry make it slightly less forgiving than the Honda Scoopy 125 or Click 125i, which we recommend more often for absolute first-timers — see our rider guide for details.