Yamaha Aerox 155

Over the last couple of decades, we have been very lucky to see a massive change in the Indian two-wheeler scene for the better. Almost every category of two-wheeler worth a Wikipedia entry can now be found in Indian showrooms – with one notable exception: the sports scooter. Massively popular in Europe and Southeast Asia, this category, also known as the maxi-scooter, is yet to find purchase with Indian consumers.

In fact, the number of true sport scooters you can purchase today in India can be counted on one hand. The most notable of this small, elite bunch is the Yamaha Aerox 155, a true South Asian thoroughbred that uses the same engine from India’s favourite sports bike, the R15, and launched alongside the fourth iteration of its donor sportsbike. So yes, it’s expensive by Indian “scooter” standards — let’s address that at the very outset — but does the Aerox have enough to justify its price tag and carve out a small niche for itself in our market? Let’s find out, shall we?
On May 7, 2026, the Yamaha Aerox received a minor price hike.

Design

The Yamaha Aerox 155 looks nothing like the conventional scooters we have in India, instead resembling European maxi-scooters from every angle. The design is clearly oriented towards the younger crowd, with its step-through frame and sharp bodywork lending it a race-inspired stance. It gets sharp and aggressive styling, which makes it look quite appealing. Even the colour and graphic options on offer are exciting and youth-centric, which enhances the overall stance of the scooter. In my opinion, the Racing Blue paint scheme looks the best on the Aerox 155. The apron-mounted split headlights make it look like bigger Yamaha motorcycles, which looks quite good in my opinion. The swoopy tail section looks neat and suits the overall design of this sporty scooter.

Colours

The standard Aerox 155 is available in just two colour options: Metallic Black and Grey Vermillion. The higher-spec Version S, meanwhile, is available in three colours: Ice Fluo Vermillion, Racing Blue, and Silver. All five colour options come with their own set of colour accents and go-fast stripes, so it all boils down to just how loud or subdued your taste leans. Whatever the option you go for, rest assured, the Aerox 155 is going to turn heads everywhere.  Interestingly, to celebrate its 70th Anniversary, Yamaha launched a cool new retro colour scheme for the Aerox Alpha Turbo variant in Indonesia.

Wheels

As befitting its sporty genes, the Aerox 155 rides on large six-spoke 14-inch alloy wheels at both ends, painted to match the colours of the body panels on all variants.  

Quality

Build quality feels solid overall. The body panels are well aligned, and the switchgear quality is acceptable for the high asking price. That said, the side stand quality could have been slightly better as it feels less confidence-inspiring than the rest of the package.

Safety Features

The Yamaha Aerox 155 gets an all-LED headlight and tail light, but misses out on LED indicators as standard. Instead, Yamaha is offering clear-lens LED flashers as a Rs 1790 add-on for a pair. 

Convenience Features

It gets a clear and legible LCD console that displays all essential information. The console offers smartphone connectivity via the Yamaha Y-Connect app, which supports SMS and call alerts. While turn-by-turn navigation is missing, the system is still a handy addition for urban riders. The Version S variant comes with a multifunction smart key system that makes finding your scooter in a crowded parking lot an easy affair. A USB charging port is offered as an optional accessory.

Underseat Storage

The scooter features a generously sized 24.5-litre underseat storage compartment, but its highlight is that it is the only scooter on sale in the country today that can comfortably hold a full-face helmet and some small extras. This is thanks to its ingenious design and the slight dip and depth of the storage area.

Floorboard Space

As evident from just a glance, the Aerox does not get a flat footboard area like other scooters. Instead, the fuel filler cap is placed in the centre of the tunnel here. This compromises usable space and makes it harder to carry bags or shopping between your feet, something Indian customers typically value.

Hooks and Other Storage Options

There are no further hooks and storage options on the Aerox 155, and you have to make do with that generous underseat storage. While that diminishes its “scooter-ability,” it isn’t that much of a dealbreaker for us considering its sporty leanings. 

Rider Comfort

Hopping onto the Aerox 155 isn’t as straightforward an affair as with most scooters thanks to that central tunnel. Once aboard, though, the Aerox 155 impresses with its wide, well-cushioned seat, which I found to be quite comfortable for both short commutes and longer rides. The 790mm seat height makes it accessible even to shorter riders (I stand 5 feet 6 inches tall), while offering enough legroom for taller ones as well. However, the suspension setup is tuned to be stiff, to support the sporty character of the scooter. While this helps with highway composure and aggressive cornering, it does make uneven city roads feel more jarring. So although the seat itself is comfortable, the stiff suspension compromises overall comfort on rough patches.

Pillion Comfort

The pillion seat offers decent space and padding, and the footpeg placement is comfortable enough for most riders. There’s enough room to move around during commutes. That said, the stiffer suspension also affects pillion comfort over potholes or broken roads. And oh, you’ll have to make do with no grab rails, so hold on to your pilot should they decide to unleash that 15-odd horses. 

Engine

Speaking of horses, the Aerox is powered by a 155cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled motor producing 14.95PS and 13.9Nm. It’s the same unit from the Yamaha R15, heavily retuned for CVT application in a scooter. The engine is incredibly refined and delivers linear, predictable power. At idle and low speeds, it runs smooth and composed, but twist the throttle and you feel the DNA of a sporty Yamaha.

City Performance

Throttle response at low speeds is quick, and the Aerox accelerates cleanly through the rev range. The low-end torque could have been stronger, which would have helped in crawling traffic, but the strong midrange makes overtaking in city traffic easy. Even with a pillion onboard, the scooter never feels sluggish or underpowered.

Highway Performance

The Aerox gets up to highway speeds with ease and is capable of cruising comfortably between 80 to 90kmph. The engine feels relaxed at those speeds, and there’s still some reserve left for quick overtakes. This kind of performance is rare in the scooter segment and makes the Aerox a great option for highway commutes. With a V-Box-tested 0-80kmph time of 10.91 seconds, it is over three seconds quicker than the Aprilia SXR 160, the previous king of this hill.

Gearbox

The CVT is smooth and responsive. There is no noticeable rubber-band effect, and the transition from low to high speeds is seamless. Engine braking is minimal but well controlled.

Mileage / Range

In our tests with my 68kg frame on board, the Aerox 155 returned 48.62kmpl in the city and 42.26kmpl out on the highway–fairly respectable numbers considering the performance it has to offer.

Underpinnings

The Aerox 155 uses a telescopic fork at the front and twin shock absorbers at the rear. This setup is on the stiffer side and tuned for sporty handling rather than plush ride comfort. The kerb weight is 126kg, which is on the heavier side for a scooter, but it works to its advantage when riding at speed.

Ride Quality

The downside of all this performance and corner-carving ability is that the Aerox 155 is one of the firmest scooters you’ll encounter. At city speeds, especially over potholes and speed breakers, the stiff suspension rears its neck. While this limits comfort in daily commuting conditions, it helps the scooter stay composed at higher speeds or when leaning into corners. Overall, the ride is stable but can be harsh on poor roads. The large 14-inch wheels and stiff chassis contribute significantly to the Aerox 155’s excellent handling. The geometry is sharp, and the weight distribution is balanced, giving the rider a lot of confidence during quick direction changes.

Brakes

The braking setup includes a front disc and rear drum brake, with single-channel ABS as standard. The front disc offers good bite, and the ABS system functions reliably, engaging predictably to prevent wheel lockups in both city and highway conditions. However, the rear drum feels underwhelming under hard braking and remains a sore point on what is, after all, a scooter targeted at enthusiasts.

City Handling

Despite its large size and kerb weight, the Aerox is nimble enough for urban usage. The steering is light, and U-turns or lane changes can be executed with little effort. However, the wide body and lack of a flat floorboard slightly reduce commuting convenience.

Highway Handling

High-speed stability is excellent. The suspension tuning and long wheelbase help the scooter feel planted, even when cruising above 80kmph. Crosswinds do not significantly unsettle the chassis, and the scooter holds its line well on open roads.

Cornering

Cornering on the Aerox is one of the best in the scooter segment. The stiff setup and wide tyres offer enough grip and confidence to lean into turns like you would on a motorcycle. It responds eagerly to rider inputs and remains stable mid-corner.

Verdict

The Yamaha Aerox 155 is not the most practical scooter in the traditional sense. The absence of a flat floorboard and the firm suspension setup limit its everyday flexibility, and the ride quality, which leans toward the sporty side, does take a slight toll on comfort. That said, it is undoubtedly one of the best-looking scooters on sale today, and its aggressive styling makes it highly desirable. Being a 15PS scooter, it’s no slouch when it comes to performance and will easily entertain both new and experienced riders. It still manages to offer decent comfort and good storage options. The Aerox 155 is ideal for someone who values uniqueness, sporty design, and an engaging ride more than everyday practicality.

Variants

There are two variants on offer: a base variant and another with traction control and a smart key. The highlight of the latter is keyless ignition, though others might find its “answer back” function, which makes identifying your ride in a crowded parking lot much easier, more useful. Considering the mere Rs 3,000 price difference between them, we suggest you go for the higher variant, since you’ve already come this far with your budget and are buying one of the most premium scooters on sale today.  

The Aerox 155’s primary rival in India is the Aprilia SXR 160, which offers a similar sporty aesthetic with a slightly more practical layout. At a similar price, you also have electric alternatives like the Ola S1 Pro and Ather 450X, both of which offer comparably fast acceleration and high-tech features. However, neither of them offer the petrol-powered excitement, refinement, and cornering performance that the Aerox brings to the table.