In India, a 150cc motorbike used to be regarded as a performance bike; now, a 650cc twin is seen every hour in the metros. In the case of scooters, the market has evolved from a preference for smaller 100cc and 110cc scooters to a willingness to tolerate and embrace larger 125cc scooters. Aprilia has even launched 150 and 160cc sporty scooters, although they were powered by 3-valve, air-cooled engines.
Is the Indian market ready for a classic 155cc liquid-cooled sports scooter? With it recently announced Aerox 155 maxi-sports scooter, Yamaha may be about to find out.
YAMAHA AEROX 155 [DESIGN & FEATURES]
| DESIGN |
It Aerox is a first in the scooter market, not only because of its liquid-cooled motor but because of its design. Its step-through style makes it stand out amid India’s sea of flat flooring, and while it is a distinctive form factor, it is also likely to be prohibitive for many purchasers looking for a more practical machine. Even those who aren’t interested will find it difficult to deny that the Aerox is a very cool-looking device.
The Aerox has a suitably wicked façade to go with its sporting mission, featuring finely contoured chassis and mean-looking LED headlights. An Aerox does have a lot of presence on our roads, which defies its tiny 126kg kerb weight, thanks to 14-inch wheels at it from both ends covered in extremely hefty tires, a meaty exhaust system, and dual shock absorbers at the back.
You’ll notice some potential to improve the quality when its presence lures you in for a closer look. The switchgear and the bodywork, particularly that a double bodywork on each side of the lower apron, feel and look great. The flimsy gasoline filler flap, the pillion footpegs that don’t rest flat on the bodywork, and the uneven floor mats, on the other hand, don’t feel up to par. In addition, there really are significant irregularities in panel gaps and shut lines across the bike, which Yamaha should address given Aerox’s market position.
Greatly in size, it isn’t the roomiest scooter available. Of course, there’s no space for baggage on the floorboard, but there’s hardly enough room for your feet. Because of the noticeable step on the front apron, it will continually foul your knees of taller riders, and you won’t be able to slide back too much on the seat. If you strike a bump hard enough, in this case, you may possibly hurt your knees.
However, behind the seat is one spot where there is plenty of room. You have a generous 24.5 liters of room beneath the saddle with the gasoline tank shifted to that visible spine portion. However, with only 5.5 liters of gasoline capacity, the fuel tank is on the small side for a scooter with these characteristics.
| FEATURES |
The Aerox occupies a high-end market niche, and while it isn’t as feature-packed as a luxury electric scooter, it still has much to offer. The taillights, like the headlights, are LED (LED flashing lights have become an optional extra costing Rs 1,490 per pair), and the instrumentation is totally digital. We’re happy to report that LED headlights on mass-market two-wheelers are improving all the time, and the Aerox’s unit is no exception, with excellent brightness and coverage. The digital cluster also displays a lot of data, including trip and fuel usage statistics, as well as a VVA indicator and a tachometer.
Bluetooth connectivity is included, however, usefulness is limited, as it is with most Yamaha systems in The country. You won’t receive on-screen navigation directions or music controls, but you will get call and SMS notifications, as well as the ability to view your last parked position and use your phone as just an auxiliary dashboard for the scooter, among other things.
The filler is, of course, exterior due to the placement of the petrol tank, and you don’t have to get out of the car to fill up. Due to a sleek multi-function key slot, unlocking its flap is likewise a breeze. Yamaha has would include an amazing stop-start technology that assists limit the frequency of those opening. A little cubbyhole on the rear of the apron with a DC charging connector, single-channel ABS, and a side-stand cut-off function completes the package.
It’s worth mentioning that the India-spec Aerox lacks keyless entry, which is available on the international edition. Many foreign markets get preload-adjustable gas-charged shock absorbers as standard, however, the Indian Aerox gets non-adjustable shocks as a benchmark, with the fuel units available as an optional extra at Rs 17,024.
YAMAHA AEROX 155 [PERFORMANCE]
That’s right, we’ve arrived at the crux of the situation. Because the Aerox’s liquid-cooled, 4-valve 155cc motor is significantly adapted from the R15’s engine and even gets VVA technology like its sports bike brother, the Aerox’s heart has been transplanted. Although it has lost a few horsepowers compared to the R15, it remains one of the fastest accelerating scooters in the country.
The Aerox doesn’t have the same instant kick in the behind as an EV, but once it starts going, it’s quick and linear, and it doesn’t lose speed until the speedometer reads triple digits. There isn’t much else on the scooter market that can stay up with it.
It feels quick in the city, readily snatching gaps in traffic and decreasing the distances between stoplights, thanks to a strong (by scooter standards) 15hp on tap. It’s also at ease on the highway, where it cruises at speeds of 90 to 100 kilometers per hour. Even if you’re nearing the conclusion of its performance, you still have a little leftover after overtaking.
The maximum speed we witnessed was an indicated 117kph, and the motor felt extremely smooth and polished even at this level, as it does throughout the rev range. The throttle response is also quick and precise, which helps you feel connected to the bike without being jittery or overly eager in city traffic.
However, you can expect this powertrain to deliver on both performance and refinement. What you might not expect is the outstanding fuel efficiency it can provide when driven carefully. Sure, when you ride hard, your efficiency decreases much below 40kpl. Things improve significantly whenever you turn it down a notch. Because of its enormous grunt, you don’t need to use very huge throttle openings to get about, and when handled carefully with the right hand, the Aerox can even provide up to 50kpl in the city. You need to get even more on the highway at a consistent 65 to 70kph cruising speed!
The Aerox’s superb stop-start mechanism contributes to its stellar city fuel economy. The engine has indeed been killed before the front fork has completed bouncing after coming to a halt. Even if you fall asleep when the signal turns green, the Aerox will wake you up by bringing the motor to life in a second when you crank the throttle, due to an integrated starting generator unit.
If there is one flaw with this engine, it is the sound. The exhaust noise is rather average, and a stronger soundtrack to match the rest of the car’s athletic attitude would have helped to elevate the experience significantly.
YAMAHA AEROX 155 SPECS
 Engine |  Petrol |
| Fuel Type / Propulsion | Petrol |
| Type | 1 cyls |
| Cubic Capacity (cc) | 150cc |
| Max Power (hp @ rpm) | 15hp at 8000rpm |
| Max Torque (Nm @ rpm) | 13.8Nm at 6500rpm |
 Transmission | Petrol |
| Gearbox Type | Automatic |
 Body | Petrol |
| Weight (kg) | 126kg |
| Front Tyre | 110/80 14 |
| Rear Tyre | 140/70 14 |
 Brakes | Petrol |
| Front | Discs |
| Rear | Drums |
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