Yamaha Aerox 155

Pros: Has a powerful and fuel-efficient engine, large under-seat storage, gets unique styling

Cons: Suspension setup is stiff, could get better brakes and slightly better build quality.

Most of us associate Yamaha with performance. You know, Rossi, RX100, R1? But apart from the R15, Yamaha did not have much to offer that would closely relate to its performance-focused brand values in India. Maybe we ARE obsessed with fuel-efficiency numbers and that’s what it tried to give us, but the masses seemed to have wanted something exhilarating from a brand like Yamaha.

And so, around the same time No. 46 fans gloomed over Rossi's retirement, Yamaha gave the fans in India something exciting to look forward to in the form of the Aerox 155; a scooter powered by the ever-popular R15’s engine.

We know many of you have been waiting for this review to come out. So let us tell you everything you need to know about the fastest scooter in India- how it is to ride, what we liked and what we disliked. 

The Yamaha Aerox 155 looks fast even when standing still thanks to its edgy design language. It also comes in some interesting paint schemes like this white, orange, and grey combination to complete the package. When viewed from the front, the aggressive split LED headlamps fitted into this seemingly large front end, would surely catch your eye. The design has a lot going on, yet looks appealing. 

Approach the Aerox from the rear and its tall stance, minimalist tail lamp, and chunky 140 section tyre would be the highlight. While the large airbox is surely an eyesore, the Aerox 155 has a distinctive charm. Although from the side is where the scooter truly stands out from the crowd; courtesy of its underbone chassis.  It is unlike any other scooters available in the country with traditional floorboard space. The Aerox 155 is a treat to look at, both for you and bystanders who just can't get enough of the scooter. It seems large enough to classify as a maxi-scooter yet the sharp cuts and creases make it look quick, agile, and compact.  

That said, the overall build quality is good but is surely something we wished was better. While the switchgear looks and feels premium, the handlebar grips are nice to touch and the paint is of top quality, we found quite a few panel gaps around its bodywork. Moreover, the fuel lid and the storage lid on the front apron feel flimsy- not something you’d want on a scooter that costs nearly a lakh and a half. 

As you’d notice, the Aerox 155 is not your regular scooter. And neither is the process of getting on it. Unlike scooters where you step through, the Aerox sports an underbone chassis and you’d get on it like you would on a motorcycle. It feels a bit unnatural at first, and I did end up getting off the regular way a couple of times. You know aadat se majboor and all that. But this ‘spine’ as it is called wouldn’t take time getting used to. Yes, grocery runs are gone for a toss but you could grip onto it like a fuel tank. Now that’s something I liked.

Having said that, the available floor space is enough to move your feet freely and does not feel as cramped as it looks. Now, the seating ergos are almost similar to a motorcycle. It gets a wide handlebar that is close to the rider and an upright riding position.  

But at 790mm, the seat height is fairly high for a scooter which would be a turn-off for shorter riders. However, the seat is nice and wide enough for taller riders and has a firm but comfortable cushioning. I also like the contour that supports the tail bone- a boon for longer rides. But the pillion will have a different tale to tell. The space is small and cramped and not very comfy. The pillion also sits considerably high with very little thigh support. 

The biggest selling point of the Aerox 155 is the fact that it is powered by the R15’s engine. It is the same 155cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled motor that has been tweaked and positioned differently to fit the scooter. And even though the engine churns out 15bhp- 3bhp lesser than the R15 and revs 2000pms lesser, the scooter has nothing short of outright performance.

It might not feel quick off the line, but once it crosses 5000rpm and the VVA kicks in, the digits on the speedo reads 100kmph faster than you’d expect. While testing, we also managed to hit close to 120kmph and the Aerox 155 was unfazed while at it. The scooter felt planted and composed even at high speeds and most importantly, it was nearly vibe-free. Right from when the engine is cranked up, the Aerox 155 is silent. The exhaust has a grunty note to it, but the engine is refined with almost no vibrations felt even close to its redline.  

And to match its engine performance, the Aerox also offers equally impressive handling abilities. It tips into corners with minimum effort and with the motorcycle-like riding ergos, it also feels natural while leaning in. In the city too, the scooter feels nimble and making your way through traffic is a no-brainer. The chunky tyres it comes with offer decent grip while the suspension is on the stiffer side to complement spirited riding.

 While the setup does feel a bit jarring at higher speeds over bridge joints and squarish bumps, it felt quite pliable over regular road undulations and potholes under 60kmph. What I wished for though, were better brakes. For the kind of performance the Aerox offers, its braking setup is lacking. The lever offers very little feel and the rear end could do with a disc, at least as an option. 

The Aerox 155 is decently equipped and on par with its rivals. There is full-LED lighting for the headlamp, VVA tech, smart motor-generator for silent starts, ABS, and a side-stand cut-off system for added safety. Then, you also get a Bluetooth-enabled LCD as standard. 

The unit displays all essential info including a clock, average, and current fuel economy as well as two tachometers that look cool. Once connected to a smartphone, the instrument cluster displays call and text alerts.   

Moreover, the Aerox also gets an external fuel filler cap between the rider's legs that is convenient to use. Speaking of convenience, the scooter offers a massive 24.5-litre boot space; one of the largest in any scooter in the country. It can fit a full-face helmet completely and still have room for more storage. You also get a storage compartment in the front apron that also comes with a USB charging port. While there is enough space to keep a wallet and phone, it is not lockable. 

On our daily run that involves city riding and a little stretch of highway, the Aerox 155 managed to return an average of around 46kmpl. And that is impressive considering the performance it has to offer. With a 5.5-litre fuel tank, the scooter can manage a decent 253km in a single fuel tank.

The Aerox 155 is something that would have your attention the moment to set eyes on it. It is something that would appeal to you if you want to stand out in a crowd. And once you ride it, it’s hard not to contemplate getting one home. The scooter feels premium, the engine refined all through and when you want to twist the throttle and just go for it, that impressive motor has your back. That said, it is also easy to handle and have fun with on corners or in traffic.

Yes, the lack of floorboard space might concern a few, but the scooter makes up for it with massive boot space. However, I wished it came with better brakes and slightly plusher ride quality.   

So for Rs 1.29 lakh, is the Aerox 155 worth the Rs 1,600 premium over the Aprilia SXR 160? In our opinion, it is! Not only do you get a scooter with much better performance but also equally good efficiency. The quality also seems to be better on the Yamaha and given the brand’s service reach compared to Aprilia, getting it serviced wouldn’t be a task either. Yamaha has redeemed itself with the Aerox 155 and we hope it continues to offer interesting and fun two-wheelers like the Aerox in the country. 

Photos by Kapil Angane