2024 Yamaha Aerox 155 Quick Ride: Better For India, But Worse Overall?

Yamaha really opened the doors for proper high performance scootering with the Aerox 155. After all, it was the only accessible liquid-cooled scooter in the country to offer motorcycle-like performance and handling capabilities. But that came with its own drawbacks, mainly ride quality. So, with the latest update of the Aerox, has Yamaha made the Aerox more pliant and better suited for Indian roads. And does that mean it is any less fun? 

Softer Suspension = Less Back Aches

The good news for those who are looking at the Aerox as a daily runner is that the suspension is a lot more accommodating than before. No longer will you need weekly spa sessions to nurse stinging back aches or monthly dentist appointments. And yet, it isn’t entirely comfy. It has become a lot more pliant for sure but feels crashy and rough when going over bad stretches or bumps. It sort of reminds of the first gen TVS NTorq 125 or the initial days of the Ather 450s where there was some form of bump absorption in the suspension but it is far from being called plush.

Not As Sharp As Before

Softer suspension means the cornering thrills are not as pronounced as they were before. The Aerox is still leagues better than the competition but its attack worthiness is dampened slightly. That should not be a worry, though, as you can only feel it on weekend thrills and not on daily commutes. What will give you more sense of assurance are the brakes. They do not feel quite as spongy as they used to, providing better stopping performance and feel than before.

Same Performance But Safer

Powering the Aerox 155 is still the trusty and engaging 155 cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled mill with VVA. It continues to push out 14.75 bhp and 13.9 Nm, still keeping its powerful status intact. We simply had too much fun zipping away from traffic lights and the fuel efficiency is also pretty decent.

What Yamaha has introduced now is an added layer of safety with the inclusion of traction control. Yes, the figures aren’t earth shattering, but the system barely intervenes. It just acts as a safety shield in the background, ready to save your skin in case need be. Another new feature on the Aerox 155 S trim that we have on the test is the engine silent start as well as stop-start system. The motor fires up quietly and the whole idle stop-start operation works smoothly. 

More Tech Now, Some Could’ve Been Skipped

Yamaha has thrown in a lot more bells and whistles on its sporty scooter. It gets a new full digital blue-backlit LCD dash, which is extremely hard to read in general. The brightness on offer is abysmal and the data readout is crammed into the tight space. Furthermore, this screen was introduced so that one can get some form of connectivity features. However, it still lacks turn-by-turn navigation and can only display call, SMS and email alerts. The Y-connect App allows you to track your rides, fuel consumption and also remembers your last parked location provided your phone was connected to the scooter and you keep location services active on your phone.

There are nice additions too. The S trim gets keyless ignition that allows you to just keep the keyfob in your pocket and ride around town. There is a sound alert in case you have not fully locked the scooter via the ignition knob, which is a thoughtful inclusion. 

Much More Suited For India

The updated Yamaha Aerox 155 continues to be a fun city runabout with enough legs to keep some motorcycles in check during weekend rides. And it can tour better now, thanks to the revised suspension tune. Those who liked the brash and focused riding of the old version will find this one to be mellowed down. However, as a thrilling experience that money can buy, the Aerox still ranks amongst the top in the scooter business, especially in the petrol powered lot. And the price gain for the added convenience is rather less, making it a no brainer for the spirited scooter rider. 

We would suggest that you could give the S trim a skip and save the ₹ 3,300 premium that it commands over the base model, which is priced at ₹ 1,48,400 (ex-showroom Delhi). The keyless ignition, while being a neat addition, isn’t worth spending that much moolah extra and honestly, the colour options are also far more enticing on the base.