Yamaha’s mega-selling 125 scooter gets tech upgrades and two-model range for 2025
You might think that the most important bikes for Yamaha would be the likes of the new Tracer 900, or the Ténéré 700 range. Maybe the MT-09 or MT-07 naked roadsters?
Well, in fact, if you look at global sales, it’s machinery like this which makes up a lot of sales – the Yamaha NMAX 125 scooter. If you live in a big city anywhere in Europe, you’ll see hundreds of these on the street: Yamaha’s sold more than 160,000 of them since it launched in 2015, and one in four Yamaha scooters sold across the continent has been an NMAX.
It ticks a lot of boxes for many urban riders: if you’re a delivery rider then you will love the reliability and low running costs, while commuters can appreciate the performance, style and high equipment levels.
It’s the peak of 125cc learner-legal scooter design for Yamaha, and the firm is rightly proud of it. And now, a decade after its launch, Yamaha’s given its premium city slicker a bit of a makeover, with new styling, uprated spec, and a fancy new TECHMAX variant with even more modern kit.
We went to Barcelona in Spain to ride the new NMAX 125, and spent a full day on the nippy scoot around the trendy Catalan city. First impressions are good: it’s a high-tech machine, with handy features like keyless ignition which also operates the seat, steering lock and fuel cap.
It might seem like a bit of overkill, but for delivery riders jumping on and off the bike non-stop all day, it’s a real boon. The standard NMAX 125 we’re riding today comes with a perfectly-decent LCD dashboard that includes a basic Bluetooth phone link, but the fancier TECHMAX variant has a full-colour LCD dash with more extensive features, and Garmin navigation built-in.
A handy USB-C charging socket, two front storage pockets and the underseat space rounds off the useful spec (though it’s not a massive space below the saddle, only just big enough for a standard full-face road helmet).
Jump on, and buzz off, and you’re right into the Barcelona traffic groove. The NMAX motor is a smooth, quiet unit with variable-valve timing and the usual V-belt auto transmission. Power is decent, at around 12bhp, but a little down on the maximum 15bhp allowed for a learner machine.
It’s no slouch off the line though, and through town, there’s no complaints about the traffic-light performance. Even the eco-friendly start-stop system works well: sat at lights, the motor turns off, saving fuel and cutting heat, and it starts instantly once you twist the throttle to go.
A basic traction control system rounds off the electronics package on the compact, advanced variable-valve timing powertrain. The only big alteration for 2025 is some detail mods for Euro 5+ emissions compliance, but Yamaha says it’s also made some changes to internal components for even longer life, reduced vibration and better reliability.
The NMAX handles well too: the tiny 132kg wet weight is held low-down and it’s easy to throw about, while the low-spec disc brakes have loads of stopping power, as well as a proper dual-channel ABS system. The suspension has no airs or graces either, but again performs just as you’d want. The rear shocks have an easy manual preload adjustment mechanism, which is the only fettling allowed, or needed, and which firms up the back end nicely.
After an hour or so in the city centre, we head up into the hills outside Barcelona, to sample the performance out of town. On a stretch of faster dual carriageway, the little 125 motor does its best, but you’re up against it, and the speedo is slow to get much past 60mph without some serious tucking-in.
Off the highway and onto some twisty, hilly routes, and again the motor struggles a little with the steeper slopes. Overtaking the local heavy trucks took a bit of effort and careful planning – you don’t have much in the way of excess acceleration at all at that crucial 50-60mph speed range.
Things are better on the downhill stretches though, and here, the strong brakes, well-damped suspension, nimble steering and grippy tyres all worked a treat. The NMAX really has much more chassis capability than I expected, and for a small-wheel city scoot, it really does give near-motorcycle handling.
Back at the hotel, and we’ve had a great day on the NMAX. I live in London, and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend one of these for riding around town – whether for a daily mid-distance commute in and out of the M25 zone, or as a working machine dropping off parcels or pizzas all across the city.
Yamaha NMAX 125 specs
PRICE: £3,600 (NMAX) £3,900 (NMAX Tech MAX)
ENGINE
Engine: 4-stroke Liquid-cooled SOHC, four-valve 125cc, VVA variable valve actuation
Bore x stroke: 52.0×58.7mm
Compression ratio: 11.2:1
Maximum power: 9.0kW (12.2PS)@8,000rpm
Maximum torque: 11.2Nm(1.1kgf/m)@6,000rpm
Fuel system: fuel injection
Transmission: V-belt automatic
Fuel consumption: 2.2l/100km
CHASSIS
Frame: Steel tube backbone
Front suspension: Telescopic forks, 100mm travel
Rear suspension: Twin shock swingarm, 91mm travel preload adjustment
Front brake: single disc, single-piston caliper
Rear brake: single disc, single-piston caliper
Front tyre: 110/70-13M/C 48P
Rear tyre: 130/70-13M/C 63P
DIMENSIONS
Seat height: 770mm
Wheelbase: 1,340mm
Wet weight: 132kg
Fuel tank capacity: 7.1 litres
YAMAHA NMAX125 TECH HIGHLIGHTS
NMAX 125 Features
- Dynamic MAX-inspired design
- Pure MAX DNA
- New body design
- Dual-eye projector high/low headlights
- LED position lamps
- Integrated LED front flashers
- LED taillight and integrated LED flashers
- 125cc EURO5+ Blue Core engine
- Start & Stop system
- 13-inch wheels, disc brakes with ABS
- Traction Control System
- Easy ergonomics
- Underseat storage
- USB-C charger and front pockets
- Smart Key keyless ignition
- Smooth suspension
- Connected LCD dashboard
- Colours: Icon Black & Milky White
TECHMAX 125 HIGHLIGHTS
- 2-inch connected TFT dash with 3.7-inch LCD
- Free Garmin navigation3
- Leather finish seat
- Exclusive colours: Ceramic Grey and Dark Magma
Alan Dowds has been riding bikes since 1989, and working as a motorcycle journalist since 1995. He’s written for Motorcycle News, RiDE, SuperBike, Fast Bikes, MSL and CMM magazines, amongst others, and ridden almost everything, from 50cc mopeds and electric scooters, to WSBK and MotoGP racebikes. He’s also written several books about bikes, including his latest work celebrating 100 years of BMW Motorrad.
Al’s our Devitt news hound, tracking down new bikes to ride and write about, as well as the in-house bike tech expert.