Although the motorcycling segment has grown tremendously in terms of good touring options, the Indian scooter segment is still at a very nascent stage when it comes to options that we can recommend for open roads or prolonged touring. The newly launched Yamaha Aerox 155 promises to deliver a lot, especially on the 'touring' factor. I had this moto-scooter for a few days and rode it for about 1000 km, including a 750 km trip to Himachal and back. So, should this be your pick if you are in the market for the best proper highway / long distance scooter?
Its powerful!
An important factor that most scooters lack in India is outright power. The Yamaha Aerox 155 makes use of the same engine that powers the R15 but ofcourse in a lower state of tune. Even then, 15 PS of power is mighty impressive and far higher than its nearest rival. This ensures you can finally cruise on an Indian scooter at 90-95km/h all day long and still have enough grunt in reserve for hitting in excess of 110 km/h easily.
Likewise, 13.9 Nm of torque comes in handy on uphill terrains, as I found out during the climb to Kufri, about 8000 feet above mean sea level. The liquid cooled motor also ensures seamless performance even when ambient temperatures are high.
Its comfortable!
So its got the oomph but what about your bum? I stand 6 feet tall with a rather healthy build and scooters aren't my taste merely due to the fact that I like two-wheelers that can handle my load. Happy to report that the Aerox exceeded my expectations, both for extended city runs as well as prolonged highway stints. This is down to a few factors - seat for example. It is long, well padded and not too firm. Second, the suspension is sorted and though slightly on the firmer side, soaks up bad roads and undulations pretty nicely. Third - the ergonomics. There is ample room even for a person like me and the seating posture is comfortable enough. In fact, the run from Delhi to Kufri took 9 hours and then I even rode back down to Shimla for the night. All this in one day.
Its practical. Well almost
Apart from the 'motorcycle' like floor board area that removes the possibility of keeping any luggage here, the under-seat storage space comes handy. At 24.5 litres, it is among the largest in India and does swallow up a lot of items. The large rear part of the seat also comes handy to tie extra luggage (like a large shoulder bag) and the front fuel filler cap ensures you do not have to get off at fuel pumps. The LED lights are strong for night runs and the on-board display has a plethora of information for the rider. All these end up aiding the practical factor.
Handles well, brakes hard!
Power is nothing without control and what better way to understand this than by riding the Aerox. From changing lanes at triple digit speeds to chewing up miles on the curvy sections of Himachal Pradesh, the Aerox even handles snow and black ice easily. So if you are going to be touring and are worried about dynamics, good news for you guys. Likewise, brakes need a special mention - shedding speed is easy and you do remain in control.
So its perfect?
Is the Aerox really that good? Well, there are a few shortcomings if you are looking for the best highway scooter in India. Fuel economy, if you are in high speed mode, is down to low 30s which means the 5.5 litre tank leaves you with a real world, safe riding range of about 140-150km only. Next, the 'motorcycle' type floor board does eat up into your practical or storage space and this is one area every other scooter performs better in. And if i could add, the Aerox 155 goes about giving you grinning moments, but in a very silent manner. Yes, the engine and exhaust notes are really well controlled and not at all sporty or grunty as you would have expected.
But to summarise, my 1000km experience with the Yamaha Aerox 155 was positive, thrilling and comfortable. Would I recommend this? A big YES! Do let us know your feedback on the Aerox through the comments section below. Join our 91Wheels Telegram and 91Wheels Whatsapp group to know more about vehicles, conduct discussions on your favourite ride and much more! Also, you can subscribe to our Youtube channel for video content on the latest from the world of cars and motorcycles.
