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2025 Yamaha NMAX Test & Review

The Yamaha NMAX is one of the most ubiquitous 150cc scooters, being seen everywhere since its 2016 debut in Malaysia. Since then it has been updated to where it is now, the 2025 Yamaha NMAX.

The NMAX is popular for being uncomplicated, user friendly, light on its feet, and pretty good engine perfomance especially beginning the second version. Adding to these points is the convenience that comes with scooters i.e. commendable onboard storage space.

However, we could not get past the elephant in the room, namely, the challenge posed by the large number of Chinese scooters that feature futuristic designs, more electronic gadgetery, all at lower prices.

So, can the NMAX hold its own?

What is the 2025 Yamaha NMAX?

To state the obvious, the bike is set in the 150-160cc ‘twist-and-go’ automatic scooter segment. This segment is hard-fought among manufacturers and distributors alike, as it is the most affordable to the buying public.

Compared to its Yamaha NVX stablemate, the NMAX is marketed as a more utilitarian and approachable variant, while the NVX is a sport-oriented scoot. As such, the NMAX features more storage space and comfort.

Highlights

The 2025 model features a new headlight and tailight design over its predecessor. This new design makes the bike look sportier and more futuristic.
The Malaysian version is not the same as the Yamaha NMAX “Turbo” with the Yamaha Y-Shift feature, currently being sold in Malaysia.
Its engine remains as the Blue Core, liquid-cooled, 155cc, single-cylinder, SOHC, 4-valve with VVA (variable valve actuation) unit. It is the same engine found in the NVX and Y16ZR.

It produces 15.2 hp (11.3 kW) at 8,000 RPM and 14.2 Nm at 6,500 RPM.
Transmission is a CVT, with V-belt final drive.
Over to the running gear, the front suspension consists of a pair of updated telescopic forks, while the rear is suspended by a pair of shock absorbers.
Braking duty is handled by single 230mm discs, front and behind.

Dual-channel ABS is a standard feature.
Electronic features include a single, large LCD screen with Y-Connect feature; keyless ignition, engine idle stop function, USB charging port, and LED lighting all-around.
Nominal seat height is listed as 775mm.

Bigger underseat storage, now at 25 litres.
The fuel tank has a capacity of 7.1 litres.
Yamaha claims that the bike has a wet weight of 131 kg.

Riding the 2025 Yamaha NMAX

Climbing on, we found it having the same ergonomics being the same as the previous iterations, with a narrow body and seat, short reach to the handlebar, and low seat height. Our feet rested comfortably on the floorboards on either sides, with more than enough space to move them around.

The seat cushion felt supple, although we could not remember if it was the same previously. There is enough space to move forward and back, besides good space for the pillion.

The handlebar was narrow with lots of steering lock angle, which was good for scything through traffic.

Opening up the seat reveals the larger underseat storage space which can take a backpack with a 15-inch laptop in it. However, the bag kind of ‘floats’ leaving more room underneath for a rainsuit and shoes. Unfortunately, we tried to store our jet-style open-faced helmet but to no avail. It may be able to stuff in an MS88-style helmet, though.

The engine started quickly each time, while eliciting a note that was characteristic of any single-cylinder scooter. It also revved relatively fast, but without any rough sounds.

Opening the throttle had the scooter accelerating smoothly without a hard punch like the NVX. In fact, the engine and CVT combination delivered a very linear response throughout its rev range. Closing the throttle abruptly did not have the bike slowing abruptly or on the other end of the spectrum, freewheeling forward as if you mistakenly grabbed neutral on a bike with manual transmission. This showed that Yamaha did a great job of balancing the roller weights to the engine’s torque characteristics.

With that mentioned, the engine did deliver plenty of oomph when pushed at highway speeds. It pulled and pulled (albeit smoothly) all the way to its top speed of nearly 130 km/h without feeling as if it will explode. Similarly, opening the throttle from 80 km/h saw it accelerate briskly without running out of breath – courtesy of VVA.

Small scooters such as this are blighted by short suspension travel. It is not unique to the NMAX but a given for any such scooter. As such, the rear suspension felt hard when hitting sharp bumps, but the front felt so much better now. Yamaha said that they had revised its damping rates thus it did not feel clunky or overly harsh when hitting bumps and potholes. The update also gave a lot better feel of the front tyre and what it was doing, thereby elevating our confidence in corners. Its front end was also stable without wagging back and forth in corners like it used to. Nice!

Of course, the bike is not meant to be pushed to 10/10 of its limits, what with the small-diametre tyres. Doing so is not the point of having this bike. Instead, it is meant for easy riding with the extra kick for overtaking other vehicles.

Depending on your skill level, those stock tyres provided plenty of grip both in the dry and rain. We had no qualms about hooning the bike through damp corners, what more when it was sunny.

Riding through traffic was where the NMAX truly excelled. Its dimunitive size and steering angle worked together to see off traffic and tight spaces like they did not exist, hence proving that it is a lot more fun to ride a small bike in the city.

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor loaned us the 2025 Yamaha NMAX for 7 days and we loved every moment we rode it. We commuted to work on it, we ran errands on it, we sent our children to school on it. Hey, forgot to buy something from the supermarket? Just wheel the bike out and go.

And as a plus point, we did not manage to burn through even one tank of gas despite racking on the mileage, and turning the idle stop function OFF throughout our test.

One thing we need to mention is about the bike’s build quality, which was good, as usual. There was no misaligned panels or wayward wires and cables hanging about anywhere. The headlight was also quite bright for a motorcycle of this size.

Conclusion

It was great to see that the 2025 Yamaha NMAX carries on the tradition of the first NMAX by providing an easy-riding and convenient platform, while retaining its comforts and conveniences.

Of note is the jump of RM1,700 in its recommended selling price from RM9,798 to RM11,498. This is due to inclusion of ABS, but hey, it is dual-channel which services both wheels.

Still, although costing much more than most scooters of its class these days, the 2025 Yamaha NMAX represents good value. You get an established engine, with plenty of original, OEM, and aftermarket parts support for a complete peace of mind.

Chear Motorrad Unveils New Showroom in Shah Alam

Chear Motorrad, one of BMW Motorrad’s long-standing dealer partners in Malaysia, today officially announces the relocation of its dealership home to Shah Alam, marking the debut of the first-ever BMW Motorrad New Retail Brand Experience in the country. This milestone signifies a new chapter in Chear Motorrad’s journey to better serve the growing BMW Motorrad community with enhanced customer engagement and expanded touchpoints in sales, service, and support.

Benjamin Nagel, Managing Director at BMW Group Malaysia, said, “Our promise at BMW Motorrad is clear, and that is to make every stage of the rider’s journey effortless, exciting, and truly premium. This extends beyond our diverse range of powerful motorcycles to encompass every interaction a customer has with our brand, providing the full Premium Ownership Experience at every step. The new Chear Motorrad showroom in Shah Alam embodies this promise, delivering a retail experience that goes far beyond sales and service to create a vibrant space for the riding community. Since 2011, Chear Motorrad has played a vital role within our dealer network, and we are thrilled to witness their growth as they bring the BMW Motorrad experience closer to customers in the Klang Valley and beyond.”

Dato’ Chear Kin Keong, Managing Director of Chear Motor Group, said, “Over the past decade, our journey has been defined by the trust and passion of our customers, whom we have been proud to serve. The opening of our new showroom in Shah Alam is a significant milestone for us, especially as Malaysia’s first BMW Motorrad New Retail Brand Experience. It is a reflection of our dedication to delivering the very best for Malaysia’s motorcycle community, particularly our BMW Motorrad owners. As the BMW Motorrad community grows, so do we – with an even stronger and dedicated team in place and a renewed focus on customer care, we look forward to creating more meaningful experiences for BMW Motorrad riders as we carry the spirit of ‘Make Life a Ride’ into the future.”

Located at No. 33 & 35, Jalan 15/23, Taman Perindustrian Tiong Nam, the newly relocated 540-square metre Chear Motorrad, previously in Puchong, is designed to be a hub for riders to explore the extensive portfolio of BMW Motorrad, service their motorcycles, or connect with the growing riding community. It is the first dealership in Malaysia to fully implement the BMW Motorrad New Retail Brand Experience, offering a contemporary space that reflects the brand’s passion for performance, lifestyle, and personalised service. The dealership space features a new dedicated service reception and coffee bar, providing a welcoming environment for customers to relax and interact, adding to the Premium Ownership Experience as a whole.

Additionally, the workshop layout concept with 10 working bays is designed to support efficient servicing, ensuring that BMW Motorrad owners receive the highest standard of care for their motorcycles and complete peace of mind. With a team of 40 across sales, service, marketing, and support, Chear Motorrad Shah Alam offers a complete Sales, Service, and Spare Parts (3S) experience under one roof, meeting the needs of both new and returning BMW Motorrad owners.

Chear Motorrad operates daily from 9:00AM to 6:00PM, Monday to Saturday. To learn more about the dealership, visit https://www.bmw-motorrad.com.my/chearmotorrad-puchong/en/home.html.

List of Major Road and Highway Closures for 47th ASEAN Summit

As we have published earlier, several major roads and highways will be closed or have traffic diverted for the 47th ASEAN Summit, set to take place from 26th to 28th October 2025.

A total of 6 major highways and 14 key roads will be affected, listed below.

Main highways affected:

Maju Expressway (MEX);
North-South Expressway (from Sungai Buloh to Jalan Duta);
ELITE Expressway (from KLIA to Putrajaya);
New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) (from Subang to Jalan Duta);
Guthrie Expressway;
KL–Seremban Expressway (from Sungai Besi to city centre).

Main KL roads affected:

Jalan Ampang;
Jalan Sultan Ismail;
Jalan P. Ramlee;
Jalan Pinang;
Jalan Binjai;
Persiaran KLCC;
Jalan Bukit Bintang;
Jalan Imbi;
Jalan Perak;
Jalan Parlimen;
Jalan Damansara;
Jalan Istana;
Jalan Tun Razak;
Jalan Kuching.

Kuala Lumpur Command and Control Centre (KLC3) said that the ‘Golden Triangle’ area surrounding KLCC is expected to experience the most significant traffic disruption. The public is advised to avoid these routes and to use public transportation such as the MRT, LRT, Monorail and buses during the summit.

It added that heavy vehicles will not be allowed to enter the city centre during peak summit hours.

The 47th ASEAN Summit is scheduled to take place from Oct 26 to 28, marking the culmination of Malaysia’s Asean Chairmanship for 2025.

The summit will bring together all 10 leaders of ASEAN member states along with dialogue partners and invited world leaders, including US president Donald Trump.

Our main worry is about traffic disruptions heading to and from the Malaysian MotoGP held at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit from 24 to 26 October. KLC3 had not provided the timing of the road closures, especially for the two main highways connecting to SIC, namely MEX Highway and the ELITE Expressway.

PM says he pays RM2.60 for RON95 petrol

“I pay RM2.60 per liter for RON95, even though I am eligible for the RM1.99 subsidy,” said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the monthly assembly of the Ministry of Finance, yesterday.

He said that he does this even though he is eligible for the RM1.99 per liter subsidy under the government’s BUDI95 program for locals.

He added that this reflects the government’s approach to ensuring subsidies are distributed fairly and targeted to those who are truly in need, rather than being given blanketly, including to those who are well-off.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Finance Lim Hui Ying and Treasury Secretary-General Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican.

Anwar said that maintaining the RM1.99 subsidy for locals while charging RM2.60 to foreigners demonstrates the government’s commitment to social justice and effective fiscal management.

He further stated that the government is always cautious when implementing subsidy rationalization to avoid public confusion or anger, citing past examples such as the restructuring of electricity and chicken subsidies.

He, who is also the Finance Minister, said that the decision to withdraw the chicken subsidy has saved the government RM1 billion per year, without affecting market price stability.

“We want to increase revenue, but if the people are burdened, what’s the point? This is not some pie-in-the-sky economic theory – this is an economy that impacts the real lives of the people,” he emphasized.

Anwar said that this targeted subsidy policy not only ensures that low-income citizens are protected, but also makes the national financial system more sustainable and possesses integrity.

KTM 990 RCR Hitting European Dealers from November

The production-ready version of the KTM 990 RCR sportbike has been revealed. Factory assembly will begin for European customers this October, and expected to arrive in dealers from November.

The expected price in the UK is from £13,499 (MYR75,840.10). A track-only version will be launched in February 2026.

That pricing puts it in the middle of the current supersport segment, with the Yamaha YZF-R9 priced from £12,254 (MYR68,845.44) and Ducati Panigale V2 starting at £15,395 (MYR86,492.20). The Honda CBR600RR and Kawasaki ZX-6R are priced below £11,000 (MYR61,800.21), and the Ducati’s Panigale V2S sitting on top from £17,395 (MYR97,728.61).

The 990 RCR is powered by a 947cc parallel twin engine, shared with the 990 Duke naked. Final claimed performance is 128.2 hp at 9,500 RPM, and 103.1 Nm of torque at just 6,750 RPM.

The bike tips the scales at approximately 195kg ready to ride with a 15.7-litre fuel tank.

Suspension duties are handled by by 48mm WP open cartridge forks with 30 clicks of compression and rebound damping, plus a further three turns for preload. At the back, a WP monoshock provides three changes for high-speed compression, and 30 for low speed.

Rebound also gets 30-clicks, with 10 stages of preload adjustment for good measure. These feed down to a set of 17-inch rims taken from the 1390 Super Duke R, shod with Michelin Power Cup 2 trackday tyres.

Stopping power up front comes from the latest Brembo Hypure calipers. There are also pillion provisions.

The standard seat height is pretty high at 845 mm, but the footpegs are adjustable in three positions. Clip-on bars are non-adjustable, but mounted straight for comfort – with four ABS modes equipped as standard. Front/rear weight distribution being a claimed 52.5%/47.5%.

As for the electronics, the riding modes consist of Rain, Street, Sport, Custom – plus an optional Track setting. The latter includes two extra personalised set-ups.

Like many modern KTMs, there’s also the brand’s controversial Demo Mode, which gives the full suite of electronics for the first 1500km, before the customer must purchase their desired tech packs to keep.

No Free Parking at Malaysian MotoGP 2025, RM20 for Cars, RM10 for Bikes

MotoGP is one of the biggest events and attractions in Malaysia. Among the facilities provided were free vehicle parking areas connected by shuttle buses. However, the management of the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has now announced that free parking has been abolished for the 2025 Malaysian MotoGP.

Consequently, a new parking fee of RM20 for cars and RM10 for motorcycles will be levied, only once throughout the race week. The organizers said this increase is due to rising organizing costs, as well as for managing traffic control and improving the vehicle parking areas.

SIC also advised spectators to park their vehicles only in the designated areas. Vehicles parked outside the official areas risk actions such as fines or being towed.

This change has sparked various reactions from fans who were accustomed to the free parking facility. Some understand why the measure is being implementd, while at the same time, there are those who have expressed dissatisfaction because it signifies an increase in the already high cost of attending the Malaysian MotoGP.