Yamaha NMAX 125 (2025 - ) review

The outgoing NMAX 125 is the best-selling powered two-wheeler of 2024 in the UK, so if it ain’t broke and all that… On that basis Yamaha has resisted the need for wholesale change to instead tidy up some details and actually make it cheaper. Its Blue Core branded engine is effective and economical, it’s an easy handler, practical and has enough quality touches like ‘stop-start’ and keyless operation to justify its premium billing. It gets better, given Yamaha has added a new Tech Max variant as it offers with its bigger XMAX 300 and TMAX 560. Already a great all-round scooter, this new version is fresher, cheaper and available with even more kit. What’s not to like?

Barely changed from the old version, but there was little wrong with it in the first place. The NMAX 125 has a typical, ‘sit-up-and-beg riding position with footboards, flat bars and a small screen. For its intended use as a commuter and round town runabout it’s fine, if a little dinky for your 6’ 2” tester. It’s still comfy and nimble, light (although 1kg heavier than before) and ridiculously manageable. The 770mm seat height is a fraction taller than before due to longer rear shocks to improve the ride, but you’ll struggle to notice. And if the stubby, sport screen is insufficient a taller touring version is available as an optional extra.

If you’re after an affordable, economical, easy-to-use commuter that can be ridden on an A1 licencewith no more than a CBT and L-plates they don’t come much more practical than a 125cc scooter. Which is why the category, and the NMAX’s Honda PCX125 rival remain so popular. As mentioned, the outgoing NMAX is currently the UK’s most popular powered two-wheeler, with the Honda not far behind. Little wonder the NMAX has such a following given it’s so easy to ride, cheap to run, has enough performance to be getting on with, as much luggage space as you’ll need and is generally provides personal transport on the cheap.

The NMAX’s liquid-cooled, four-stroke single was already efficient and economical, and that won’t have changed with the slight tweaks to comply with Euro5+ and minor revisions to the crank and other internals to aid longevity. Power and torque are unchanged at 12 horsepower and the 11.2Nm, which is adequate without being inspiring. There’s enough oomph to keep up with dual carriageway traffic and it’s nippy and effective at lower town speeds even if it does labour a little when going uphill or over 60mph. But that’s typical of most scooters in this class. There’s a rudimentary traction control system, too (plus ‘stop-start’) but that’s mostly for peace of mind on slippery surfaces. Braking is adequate rather than inspiring, too. Both front and rear discs are unchanged and grasped by single-piston calipers with ABS. They work OK, but sudden stops require a firm grasp on both.

Again, there wasn’t much wrong with the old NMAX so little has changed here. The springs in the front forks are said to be improved with a tweak to the damping while the twin rear shocks are now 5mm longer for a plusher ride with the right hand one now also boasting a hand-adjustable preload adjuster and locking sleeve where before a C-spanner was required. In reality, those changes are barely noticeable, the NMAX’s ride and handling is comfortable and reasonably nimble without being particularly sophisticated or sporty. If you ride really hard you may start to reach the limits of the budget cycle parts and you’ll find it crashing into potholes and perhaps a little wallowy when thrown around corners. But that’s us being picky and for the way most will be used the set-up is absolutely fine.

Powered two-wheel transport simply doesn’t get much more economical, explaining why this class of scooters is so popular. For starters the NMAX is cheap, the £3,600 starting price at the time of writing actually £170 less than the outgoing equivalent. The 125cc engine is also very economical, and should return well over 100mpg. Because performance is minimal, consumables such as tyres and brake pads last pretty much forever and tax and insurance will be cheap, too.

The NMAX was originally launched in 2014, received a major update in 2021 with its new, stop-start Blue Core engine and this update is more about the styling and specification than the mechanical bits. With that in mind and a largely unblemished reliability record over the last decade we have few reasons for concern.

Warranty and service intervals for the new Yamaha NMAX 125 are unchanged. As with all Yamahas it comes with a standard, manufacturer-backed warranty for two years over unlimited mileage from first registration, covering all parts and labour. Recommended service intervals are as before, with a first ‘break-in’ service due at 500 miles when engine oil and filter are changed followed by routine services every 3,500 miles or annually, whichever comes first.

While positioned as a premium, sporty scooter the NMAX is still a very affordable one so Yamaha is to be cheered for equipping it as generously as it has with things like stop-start and keyless ignition without ramping up the price. Yes, the suspension, brakes and LCD dash are perhaps a little basic but they don’t really diminish the experience. The real masterstroke is the addition of the new Tech Max version, which gets a larger TFT/LCD screen, built-in nav, a nicer seat with contrast stitching and posher paint finishes for a reasonable sounding £300 premium. Based on experience of the same on the bigger XMAX and TMAX Yamaha expects this to be the biggest seller by some margin, and we won’t be at all surprised if that comes to pass.

The old NMAX 125 was already hugely popular and successful for its affordability, accessibility, performance and practicality. This new version loses none of that yet is better looking and even cheaper, which surely makes it a no-brainer. And if you want more there’s the new Tech Max version. Worth noting, though, that Honda has also updated its equivalent PCX125 in similar fashion, though on this evidence it’ll have to go some to beat the Yamaha’s offer.