Ngage Hyper Flow Air Filter for Yamaha Aerox 155: Review

Gallery The Introduction The Construction The Performance The Conclusion Product Details

The Introduction

The Yamaha Aerox is a quick scooter. And, when you open the throttle with enthusiasm, it sounds nice too. But, like most two-wheels powered by ICE, it too can sound nicer and go quicker. To see if it does without making any modifications, we took our favoured route and got the Aerox a performance air filter.

The air filter is made and sold by Ngage Powerparts. We have already reviewed air filters from Ngage in the past on bikes like the Hero Xpulse, Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, and the KTM 390 Adventure. Those results were encouraging enough for us to continue running the filters.

But, we witnessed the biggest gains on the Aerox! More on that later.

The Construction

The Ngage Hyper Flow air filter uses a wire mesh construction with cotton gauze. This construction allows more air to flow through it compared to paper or foam filters. Additionally, the former uses many layers of this tightly woven cotton mesh that is charged with oil to help trap even the smallest of particles, says Ngage. Furthermore, the construction makes for a longer-lasting, easier-to-clean and recharge air filter that doesn’t need replacement as often as a traditional one.

Another big difference between the Ngage air filter and the stock filter on the Aerox is the size of the filter itself. In the case of the latter, the filtration element is only about 1/3rd the size of the airbox. The rest is just a hard plastic board. In Ngage’s case, the filter is nothing but the filtration area and is as big as the airbox itself. This results in a significantly higher airflow area. No wonder we witnessed a significant improvement in the performance once we moved to the aftermarket air filter.

The Performance

We wanted to achieve two things with the switch to an aftermarket performance air filter - better performance and a nicer sound. On the sound front, the Aerox now has a louder and sportier intake note. It’s not as obvious during small throttle openings. But give the throttle an aggressive and purposeful twist, and you will hear the Aerox pulling in the air more hungrily.

We also found that the throttle response is crisper now with the new filter. And, the scooter feels quicker to ride. Not just under flat-out acceleration but even during overtakes. Against the clock, the stock Aerox had managed the 0-40kmph run in 3.4 seconds while it took three additional seconds at 6.1 seconds to hit 60kmph. In the 30-60kmph roll-on, the stock Aerox had registered a time of 5.1 seconds.

With the Ngage, the 0-40kmph time has improved by over 6 per cent to 3.2 seconds. It also only takes 5.8 seconds now to hit 60kmph and wraps up the 30-60kmph run in 4.8 seconds. The latter two again are quicker by around 5-6 per cent.

What’s more, we didn’t see a drop in the fuel efficiency figures on our daily commute.

The Conclusion

The Ngage Hyper Flow air filter for the Aerox costs Rs 4,400. Compared to the stock air filter, it is an expensive option. But, as we mentioned earlier, the difference in performance and sound with the aftermarket air filter installed is more than palpable every time you ride the scooter; and in a good way.

Plus, it doesn’t need a replacement as often as the stock one; just clean it at every service and continue on your merry way. Mostly though, if you own an Aerox, performance is important to you. And if you can feel and hear that performance every time you open the throttle with vigour, it’s certainly worth the upgrade in our book. And of course, it doesn't require any modifications.

Photography: Kaustubh Gandhi