Real economy, surprising speed

efforts to streamline myself behind the fairing) until finally I celebrated as 105km/ h appeared on the big digital display.

This might not sound like a particularly high top speed, but remember this is all thanks to a tiny 125cc motor attached to an automatic gearbox.

The dash, while seeming straightforward with its big speedo taking up most of the space, has a few tricks up its sleeve, with not only two trip meters for regular rides, but also an oil and V- Belt ( that’s part of the transmission) trip meter for aiding in servicing intervals as well as fuel economy readings.

Riding along the highway at full throttle to maintain 100 km/ h, the fuel economy readout would indicate around 23km for a litre of fuel used.

This translates to 3.9 litres for 100km, and I’d expect to see that improve as the NMAX is properly run in.

In town, where the NMAX is designed to spend most of its time, you’re likely to see more than double that economy with readings of higher than 50km a litre showing as I pottered about Cambridge running errands.

With the 6.6 litre fuel tank full that would give you over 300km of range in town. That’s frugal motoring. YAMAHANMAXSCOOTER ENGINE: 125cc 4- valve single cylinder 127kg ready to ride Well built, ABS and fantastic brakes, easy to ride, good fuel economy around town WEIGHT: Requires a motorcycle licence to ride Yamaha NMAX 125cc scooter.

As for all good scooters, there is a large storage container under the seat, which can fit a full- sized helmet, or a few grocery essentials.

The NMAX has been a surprise. Although I normally wouldn’t consider riding a tiny engined scoot for my highway commute, I know which bike from the test fleet I’ll be riding home again tonight, and it’s not going to be the gasguzzling 1000cc sports bike.