New 2025 Yamaha NMAX 125 | LAUNCH REPORT

Yamaha chose a good time to launch a brand new NMAX 125. The model currently sits at the top of the sales charts in the UK. Having ridden it, I’d imagine it’ll stay there too.

For a company better known for its Supersport bikes (among other things), scooters are still very important to Yamaha, especially the MAX family models.

Competitive?

Launching a new 2025 model to replace an already class-leading machine at a very competitive price will give Yamaha an extremely good chance of retaining that top spot next year. Especially now they’ve added a fully loaded TechMAX version of the NMAX for the very first time. It’s pictured above in the very tasty Ceramic Grey colour option.

Video: Iggy talks us through the updates

Winter sun

Ahead of its arrival in January 2025, we flew to Barcelona for some winter sun and two-wheeled fun on board the new version of this very popular scooter. Here’s what we thought…

Rule breaker

Modern 125s aren’t particularly fast, as a rule. However, compared to pretty much every other 125cc scooter I’ve ridden, the new NMAX 125 breaks that mould. If you’re on a learner licence, or have a full licence but want something nippy for getting around on, and don’t want to feel underpowered, this MAX could be the 125 for you.

Video: On board review

Wacky races

Setting off into Spanish morning traffic with a gang of NMAX riders soon turned into wacky races as we battled to escape the city. Riding like seasoned commuters meant every gap was ours, we won every traffic light Grand Prix and were firmly placed at the front of every traffic queue. If you have your wits about you and a decent scooter beneath you there’s fun to be had in a busy city.

Brisk acceleration

In town, the NMAX felt surprisingly quick. Then we got on to the motorway for a bit and even more surprisingly it still felt fast and stable. At one point I saw 111km on the clock which is just under 70mph. The important thing here though, is just how well this scooter gets up to speed. It accelerates very well, with enough torque to climb hills, as we found out once we got into the mountains.

Endless corners

The twisties went on for miles and miles, beautiful dry tarmac with stunning views of the city and sea. Endless corners saw most of us smiling behind our blackened visors. We were having a blast. Following our lead rider at as close to flat out as we could get took concentration but was very rewarding. You can have as much fun on a decent 125 on the right roads as you can a superbike on a track day. I never felt like I needed anything bigger than the 125 Yamaha for this particular ride. We literally took this scooter “To the MAX” as the Yamaha motto goes.

125cc Blue Core engine

The existing liquid-cooled, 125cc Yamaha Blue Core engine has been retained for 2025 but has had some modifications. Start & Stop technology helps to reduce fuel consumption and lowers emissions (as well as running costs). The NMAX 125 has a 7.1-litre tank and is capable of a range of 300km (186 miles).

Part of the revamp of the NMAX is to make sure it meets the latest Euro5+ regulations, the latest model does of course – thanks partly to a new oxygen sensor. Yamaha have also taken the opportunity to use a new cylinder, an updated crankshaft with new cam sprocket and they’ve added a new hydraulic chain tensioner with new oil pass. The result is a quieter, more efficient and cleaner burning engine that also reduces wear and oil consumption. Many NMAX owners are high-mileage delivery riders who need a dependable scooter with low running costs.

Easy adjustment

Sitting on 13” Dunlop ScootSmarts, the scooter always felt well planted. Revisions to the forks and an extra 5mm of travel on the rear suspension gives the scooter a very stable and comfortable feel to it. One big new feature is the rear preload adjusters on the twin shocks. They can now be adjusted very easily by hand. No tools are required. Simple but effective. These changes have made Yamaha move the NMax out of their ‘Urban Mobility’ sector and put it into ‘Sport’. It’s a well-deserved promotion, this is a sporty scooter.

Rider aids

The NMAX comes with ABS to both wheels and traction control. The brakes are responsive, with 230mm discs at both ends giving plenty of feel. The single-pot calipers are more than up to the job. I felt the ABS cutting in on a few occasions, usually when I was trying to produce a skid (and failing) but also a couple of times as we hooned towards mountain hairpins. You certainly know when it’s activating though, the rear lever pulses beneath your fingers. I didn’t get the front ABS to activate. I think you’d need a pretty serious panic braking situation to get the front to cut in. With dry, gravel-free roads and only 12bhp beneath, me the traction control remained unused as well, although it’s useful to know it’s there – especially in damp weather. It can also be turned off manually if you feel the need (riding on gravel for instance).

Tidy backside

Heading down from the mountains towards Barcelona, the traffic became heavier and our filtering, slow riding and gap-creating were becoming more prevalent. The NMAX took it all in its stride. I couldn’t fault anything from a riding point of view.

Spending a few hours looking at the rear end of the scooter in front gave me a chance to appreciate the newly restyled tail. The overhang has been shaved and now has a stylish and noticeable new rear light. The indicators have been moved and now sit under the rear panel creating a visually tidy back end.

Projector beams

The LED front running lights are also new, as are the integrated indicators, moved from lower down in the front panel. It’s a good move, again it makes the scooter look much tidier. There are also two separate projector headlights, one for low and another for high beam. They looked bright enough but we didn’t get a chance to use them in the dark.

Dashboard

The clocks are also new, with an LCD multi-function dash on the base model NMAX. You get the usual info which can be scrolled using the menu button on the left handlebar. However, I felt the dash was a little dull to look at and the actual screen could have been brighter – the TechMAX sorts that out (more on that later).

Riding position

NMAX has a comfortable riding position with two positions for your feet, 90 degrees or feet slightly further forward. The 2025 model’s seat sits 5mm higher than it did on the previous model (thanks to the increased suspension travel) but it still feels fairly low (I’m 5’10”).

Storage

If you want to charge a phone on the go, there’s an open storage pocket with a USB point on the left of the inner legshields, as well as a closed one on the right. Further storage space can be found beneath the seat (23.3 litres). It’s quite a deep space and you can place a helmet upside down in there – depending on style/size. My full-faced Arai has spoilers and a camera sticking out of it so it didn’t quite fit and allow the seat to close but it was close. There’s room left over behind your lid to stuff waterproofs and the like in there as well. If yours doesn’t fit but you do want to leave a helmet with your scooter, it also has a lockable hook for two helmets to hang from the front of the seat.

Yamaha’s keyless ignition system is easy to operate and is now featured on the NMAX.

More affordable

We mentioned that the existing NMAX is the UK’s best-selling 125 at the minute. It costs £3778. Amazingly, the updated 2025 version costs just £3600, a saving of £178. You can’t argue with that price.

If you’re the kind of buyer who isn’t too fussed about having the latest model, I’d imagine there will be deals to be had on the outgoing scooter.

TechMAX

Although we didn’t get to ride the higher-spec TechMAX version we did get to see it.  As with all TechMAX’s, the brand new for 2025 NMAX version gets a few different styling touches, including the leather-style, nicely stiched and embossed saddle, TechMAX badges and sports screen. The most significant addition though, is the full-colour 4.2″ TFT screen, complete with full connectivity and Garmin maps for top spec, free sat nav. Above that sits a 3.7″ LCD screen. Very useful and the screen itself is a lot nicer to look at than the standard version. The TechMAX won’t be available until May though, so if you’re in a rush you’ll have to go for the standard version.

Personally I think the extra £300 for the TechMAX is money well spent.

TechMAX colour options

It’s available in two colours, Ceramic Grey with crystal graphite accent parts to complement the paintwork. There’s also Dark Magma, it’s a matt metallic black which gives a purplish reflection in certain lights. Deep glossy black components help to give it a touch of class.

NMAX 125: From £3600

NMAX 125 FEATURES

• Dynamic MAX-inspired design
• Pure MAX DNA
• New body design
• Dual-eye projector high/low headlights ▪ LED position lamps, integrated LED front flasher
• LED taillight and integrated LED flashers ▪ 125cc EURO5+ Blue Core engine
• Start & Stop system
• 13-inch wheels, disc brakes with ABS
• Traction Control System.
• Easy ergonomics
• Underseat storage
• USB-C charger and front pockets
• Smart Key keyless ignition
• Smooth suspension
• Connected LCD dashboard
• Colours: Icon Black & Milky White

NMAX 125 Tech MAX: From £3900

Exclusive Tech MAX features

• 4.2-inch connected TFT dash with 3.7-inch LCD
• Free Garmin navigation
• Leather finish seat
• Exclusive colours: Ceramic Grey and Dark Magma

Accessories and options

Yamaha lists 41 NMAX official accessories, they also offer a choice of four accessory packs. Buyers can choose from Urban, Winter, Sport and Essentials.

Configure it

Before buying your scooter you can also configure it online with all the extras you’d like then get your dealer to either order or build it for you.

Video: 360º look around the new NMAX

Verdict

Having spent a thoroughly enjoyable day riding this scooter I’d be hard-pressed to find faults. It’s quick, the styling is modern and well executed, it rides and handles extremely well and offers very good value for money. The fact that the price has gone down puts another feather in the cap of this very capable 125cc scooter. Well done Yamaha.

Words and video edit: Iggy

Images and video: Ant Productions