The Yamaha NMAX 155 and Honda ADV 160 sit at opposite ends of Chang Thai's mid-size lineup in almost every way except price. One is a low-slung sport-road scooter built to carve corners; the other is a tall, adventure-styled machine built to shrug off rough pavement and steep climbs. Both get requested constantly by travelers who have seen photos online and want the more distinctive-looking option rather than a plain commuter scooter, but the two solve genuinely different problems. This guide compares them using official manufacturer specifications and explains which one actually makes sense for the kind of riding you are planning in Phuket.
In This Guide
- Full Side-by-Side Specifications
- Design Philosophy: Sport Road vs Adventure
- Power and Torque, Compared
- Weight and Handling
- Seat Height and Ground Clearance
- Storage Capacity
- Fuel Tank and Range
- Suspension and Hill Performance
- Two-Up Comfort
- Weather Protection and Windscreen
- Real Route Scenarios
- Maintenance Considerations
- Price at Chang Thai
- Who Should Choose Which?
- FAQ
Full Side-by-Side Specifications
| Specification | Yamaha NMAX 155 | Honda ADV 160 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 155cc, liquid-cooled, SOHC, VVA | 156.9cc, liquid-cooled, SOHC, eSP+ |
| Max power | Approx. 15 hp @ 8,000 rpm | 15.8 hp (11.8 kW) @ 8,500 rpm |
| Max torque | Approx. 13.9 Nm @ 6,500 rpm | 14.7 Nm @ 6,500 rpm |
| Curb weight | 127 kg | 133 kg |
| Seat height | 765 mm | 780 mm |
| Ground clearance | Not officially published | 165 mm |
| Fuel tank | 7.1 L | 8.1 L |
| Under-seat storage | 25 L (fleet spec) | 27 L main + 2 L front compartment |
| Braking | Front and rear disc, ABS | Front and rear disc, ABS |
| Daily rate at Chang Thai (low/high) | ฿450 / ฿500 | ฿500 / ฿550 |
Sources: specifications referenced from Yamaha Motor's official NMAX 155 product data and Honda's official 2025 ADV160 specifications release, cross-checked against our own fleet units.
Design Philosophy: Sport Road vs Adventure
Yamaha built the NMAX 155 to be a sportier take on the standard road scooter — low seat, firm suspension, aggressive styling, all aimed at a rider who wants to feel connected to smooth tarmac. Honda took the opposite approach with the ADV 160, borrowing visual and functional cues from full-size adventure motorcycles: a tall stance, long-travel suspension, a windscreen for wind protection, and knobbly-look tires that hint at light off-road capability even though it remains a road-going automatic underneath. Both are marketed as more exciting alternatives to a basic commuter scooter, but they are exciting in almost opposite directions.
Power and Torque, Compared
The ADV 160 shares its underlying eSP+ engine architecture with Honda's own PCX 160, and it shows in the numbers: 15.8 hp against the NMAX 155's approximately 15 hp, and 14.7 Nm of torque against roughly 13.9 Nm. These are close enough that neither bike has a meaningful straight-line power advantage. What differs is how each engine's output gets used — the NMAX's VVA valve timing is tuned to reward an eager throttle hand on smooth roads, while the ADV 160's extra weight and taller gearing mean the same horsepower figure translates into a slightly less urgent feeling of acceleration, trading outright punch for stability at speed on rougher surfaces.
Weight and Handling
At 133kg, the ADV 160 is 6 kilograms heavier than the NMAX 155's 127kg, and that extra mass sits higher up given the taller seat and windscreen. Through tight, smooth corners, the NMAX's lighter weight and firmer, lower-slung chassis make it noticeably more eager to change direction. The ADV 160 is not cumbersome, but it rewards a steadier, more measured riding style rather than quick flicks between corners — a natural consequence of a bike built to stay composed on rougher, less predictable surfaces rather than to be flicked around a smooth apex.
Seat Height and Ground Clearance
This is where the two bikes diverge most sharply. The ADV 160's seat sits at 780mm, a full 15mm taller than the NMAX 155's 765mm, and its 165mm of ground clearance is dramatically higher than any standard road scooter — Yamaha does not officially publish a ground clearance figure for the NMAX 155, but it sits in line with typical road-scooter clearance well under 150mm. In practical terms, shorter riders may find the ADV 160 a stretch to flat-foot confidently at a stop, while the NMAX remains easy to manage for most adult riders regardless of height.
Storage Capacity
The ADV 160 wins clearly on storage: a 27 liter main compartment plus a separate 2 liter front compartment with its own charging port, versus the NMAX 155's single 25 liter under-seat space. The ADV 160's front compartment is a particularly practical touch for keeping a phone charged and within reach without opening the main seat storage every time.
Fuel Tank and Range
The ADV 160's 8.1 liter tank gives it a liter advantage over the NMAX 155's 7.1 liters, translating to a real-world range advantage of roughly 30 to 50 kilometers between fill-ups under similar riding conditions. Neither difference forces extra fuel stops on a typical day of Phuket sightseeing, but the ADV 160's larger tank suits longer touring days better, particularly routes that venture further from the main fuel stations in the south of the island.
Suspension and Hill Performance
The ADV 160's longer-travel suspension and significantly greater ground clearance were specifically engineered for exactly the kind of steep, uneven climbs Phuket offers at Patong's back road, the Kata Noi viewpoint climb, and the final approach to the Big Buddha on Nakkerd Mountain — see our full ADV 160 Hill Test for real route-by-route results. The NMAX 155's firmer road-tuned suspension handles the same hills competently and even feels sportier through smooth corners along the way, but it lacks the ADV 160's margin for potholes, uneven camber, and the rougher patches that appear near the top of Phuket's steepest climbs.
Two-Up Comfort
Both bikes can carry a passenger, but they do it differently. The ADV 160's longer wheelbase and more upright design give it a more stable, planted feeling two-up, particularly on hills, while the NMAX 155's narrower, firmer seat is better suited to a shorter, sportier ride than a full day of two-up touring. Neither is as naturally comfortable two-up as the wider-seated Honda PCX 160 — see our PCX 160 vs NMAX 155 comparison if two-up comfort is your top priority.
Weather Protection and Windscreen
The ADV 160's tall windscreen deflects a meaningful amount of wind blast and light rain away from the rider's chest and helmet, which becomes noticeable on longer highway-speed stretches or during a sudden shower. The NMAX 155 has a much smaller, more sport-oriented flyscreen that does little beyond deflecting bugs, in keeping with its lower, more aggressive riding position. If you expect to be caught in Phuket's afternoon downpours more than occasionally, the ADV 160's extra coverage is a genuine practical advantage rather than just styling — though neither bike is a substitute for proper rain gear in a real monsoon downpour.
Real Route Scenarios: Which Bike Wins Where
On the flat coastal stretch between Bang Tao and Surin, the NMAX 155's sportier handling and lighter weight make it the more entertaining choice, with little to be gained from the ADV 160's extra ground clearance on well-maintained tarmac. Climbing to the Big Buddha via Chalong, the ADV 160 pulls ahead clearly, its suspension travel absorbing rough patches near the summit car park that the NMAX 155 would transmit directly to the rider. On the Kata Noi viewpoint road, a mix of smooth curves and occasional rough camber, the two are closer to evenly matched, with the choice coming down more to rider preference than outright capability. For a full route-specific breakdown, see our Phuket Scooter Route guide.
Maintenance Considerations
Both bikes in our fleet follow manufacturer-recommended service intervals rather than a generic rental-shop schedule. The ADV 160's longer-travel suspension components are inspected slightly more frequently given the rougher use they see on hill routes, and its larger tire profile is checked for wear patterns consistent with more aggressive cornering loads. The NMAX 155's VVA system depends on clean oil flow to switch valve timing correctly, so oil changes are handled on a slightly tighter interval than a basic commuter engine would need. Neither difference is something a renter needs to think about day to day — it is simply how we keep both models performing consistently across hundreds of rental cycles.
Price at Chang Thai
| Yamaha NMAX 155 | Honda ADV 160 | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily (low/high season) | ฿450 / ฿500 | ฿500 / ฿550 |
| Weekly (low/high season) | ฿2,450 / ฿2,800 | ฿2,800 / ฿3,150 |
| Monthly (low/high season) | ฿6,700 / ฿7,500 | ฿7,000 / ฿8,000 |
Unlike the PCX 160 and NMAX 155, which are priced identically, the ADV 160 carries a modest premium reflecting its extra clearance, suspension travel, and larger storage. See our pricing page for current rates before booking.
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose the Yamaha NMAX 155 if your riding is mostly smooth coastal and town roads and you want the sportiest, most engaging feel for the lowest price in this pair. Choose the Honda ADV 160 if your itinerary includes hill routes like Big Buddha or Kata Noi, you want the largest storage capacity available short of a full maxi-scooter, or you simply prefer sitting taller with a windscreen ahead of you. For the complete three-way picture including the Honda PCX 160, see our Best Scooter Phuket 2026 guide.
Fleet Colors and Availability
Our Yamaha NMAX 155 units come in matte blue, white, and black, while the Honda ADV 160 fleet runs in green, grey, and black — colors that lean into each bike's respective identity, sportier tones for the NMAX and more rugged, outdoor-oriented tones for the ADV 160. Both models are popular enough that we recommend messaging ahead on LINE during high season or the December-January peak if you have a specific color preference, since the most requested combinations can sell out at individual branches first.
Where to Rent
Both models are available at all five Chang Thai branches: Phuket Airport, Mai Khao, Bang Tao, Chalong, and Phuket Town. Chalong is the closest branch to the Nakkerd Mountain and Big Buddha hill route if the ADV 160's climbing ability is your priority.
FAQ
Is the Honda ADV 160 much more powerful than the Yamaha NMAX 155?
No — their official power figures are close (15.8 hp versus approximately 15 hp). The ADV 160's advantage is ground clearance and suspension travel, not raw engine output.
Can a shorter rider manage the Honda ADV 160's taller seat height?
Most riders manage it fine, but at 780mm it is noticeably taller than the NMAX 155's 765mm, so shorter riders should sit on both before deciding if flat-footing at a stop matters to them.
Which bike is better for riding to Big Buddha or other hill routes?
The Honda ADV 160, thanks to its 165mm of ground clearance and longer-travel suspension — see our ADV 160 Hill Test for details.
Is the Honda ADV 160 worth the extra daily cost over the NMAX 155?
If hill routes, extra storage, or a taller riding position matter to your trip, yes. If you are mostly riding flat coastal roads, the NMAX 155 delivers a sportier experience for less.
Does the Honda ADV 160's off-road styling mean it can actually go off-road?
Not meaningfully — it remains a road-going automatic scooter underneath the adventure styling. Its advantage is handling rough, uneven, or poorly maintained paved roads with more composure, not genuine off-road trail riding. For real dirt and gravel routes, see our separate Dirt Bike Rental Phuket guide.
Which bike has better resale-style long-term reliability for a multi-month rental?
Both are well-proven platforms from major manufacturers and hold up well under our maintenance schedule across multi-month rentals — see our long-term rental guide for maintenance details that apply to either model.