Honda PCX or Yamaha Nmax?

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Dannie Boy
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Honda PCX or Yamaha Nmax?

Post by Dannie Boy »

We currently have a 4 year old PCX and my wife has been asking about upgrading it to the new PCX, but I’ve seen that Yamaha offer a similar bike called the Nmax which I believe is about 10,000 Baht cheaper - does anybody have experience of the Nmax?

The PCX has been faultless in the 4 years we’ve had it, so I wouldn’t want to save 10,000 only to regret it because it’s a much inferior bike - having tried to do a bit of reading research there appear to be mixed reviews in favour of both for different reasons.

The next step will be a visit to both showrooms and test ride, just looking for any comments from those that might have first hand experience. Thanks in advance
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Re: Honda PCX or Yamaha Nmax?

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Dannie Boy wrote: Thu Aug 02, 2018 7:52 am We currently have a 4 year old PCX and my wife has been asking about upgrading it to the new PCX, but I’ve seen that Yamaha offer a similar bike called the Nmax which I believe is about 10,000 Baht cheaper - does anybody have experience of the Nmax?

The PCX has been faultless in the 4 years we’ve had it, so I wouldn’t want to save 10,000 only to regret it because it’s a much inferior bike - having tried to do a bit of reading research there appear to be mixed reviews in favour of both for different reasons.

The next step will be a visit to both showrooms and test ride, just looking for any comments from those that might have first hand experience. Thanks in advance
Well there were no replies to my request so I assume there is nobody in HH on the Forum that owns a Yamaha Nmax, so we went to the Yamaha dealer in HH for a view. Whilst it looked ok, the quality didn’t appear to be the same as the Honda PCX - a small but very important issue was the side stand, the bike nearly toppled over while we were looking at it because it doesn’t appear to have been designed very well and this was on a relatively flat surface, so find anywhere with a camber and I’m sure you will soon have a scratched bike. The major plus point for the Nmax is the fact that it has front and rear disc brakes with ABS, but that aside (ok maybe the engine is also slightly more powerful), everything else on the Honda seemed better, so it’s a new PCX for us.
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Re: Honda PCX or Yamaha Nmax?

Post by PeteC »

I think Honda small bikes have held the quality and reliability lead for decades. There used to be a price premium with Honda but not sure if that's still true.

At one time here back in the 90's we had both a new Suzuki and Honda at the same time. No comparison. As months went by I witnessed rust developing everywhere and systems failing on the Suzuki, whereas the Honda performed flawlessly for years and years. Pete :cheers:
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Re: Honda PCX or Yamaha Nmax?

Post by Dannie Boy »

We’ve only had Honda’s and never had a problem so probably the decision to stick with what you know is best - if the Yamaha had given us more confidence in its quality and/or if the price difference had been greater (it was 9,000 cheaper) I might have been tempted.
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Re: Honda PCX or Yamaha Nmax?

Post by georgy »

A review of a NMax owner would have been great
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Re: Honda PCX or Yamaha Nmax?

Post by huahin4ever »

georgy wrote:A review of a NMax owner would have been great
I do not own one, but a friend has one (2018 model) so I have tried it several times. I own 2 PCXs, one 2015 model and the new hybrid. Both PCXs is imo better rides than the N-Max. It's a smoother ride. The engine is more quiet and less vibration on the PCXs, but N-Max has rear disc brakes and ABS which the PCXs don't have. The N-Max also feels smaller for a larger rider.
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Re: Honda PCX or Yamaha Nmax?

Post by Dannie Boy »

We’ve had our PCX 2 months now and my wife who rides it most of the time is very happy with it and I would agree with hh4ever that it is a quiet bike and very smooth - the only thing I think it is missing is the rear disc and ABS - no doubt the next model in 3 years will have both!!
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Re: Honda PCX or Yamaha Nmax?

Post by Gregjam »

I do not have the Nmax but have the155cc Aerox. If two up the fairing hits my knees and my wife finds the rear seat a bit of a climb. When riding solo I would like to sit farther back but the step in the seat prevents this. I would guess the Nmax is not so different. Noticeably more power but I can see a new Finogrande or whatever it is called will also occupy space at the front of the house. Yamaha has offered good reliability to me although Honda definitely is of a better quality in my opinion.
Worth saying that the Aerox appeared in the stable while I was away at work so I had no choice.
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Re: Honda PCX or Yamaha Nmax?

Post by huahin4ever »

Gregjam wrote:I do not have the Nmax but have the155cc Aerox. If two up the fairing hits my knees and my wife finds the rear seat a bit of a climb. When riding solo I would like to sit farther back but the step in the seat prevents this. I would guess the Nmax is not so different. Noticeably more power but I can see a new Finogrande or whatever it is called will also occupy space at the front of the house. Yamaha has offered good reliability to me although Honda definitely is of a better quality in my opinion.
Worth saying that the Aerox appeared in the stable while I was away at work so I had no choice.
I tried the Aerox too, and way to small for a taller rider. My knees too touched the fairing just below the handlebar. Way to cramped area.
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Re: Honda PCX or Yamaha Nmax?

Post by joelle »

Husband and I have an Nmax each and love it, done a road trip to Malaysia, all the way to Singapore and back, 4215km in total and were very pleased with our bikes, comfortable, reliable, steady on the road, and ABS is great to have
But I find from what I have noticed around me that usually people who have a PCX stick to it and don't like the Nmax and same goes for Nmax owners
The best, if possible, is to try each for a day and see how it responds to one's needs
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Re: Honda PCX or Yamaha Nmax?

Post by huahin4ever »

joelle wrote:Husband and I have an Nmax each and love it, done a road trip to Malaysia, all the way to Singapore and back, 4215km in total and were very pleased with our bikes, comfortable, reliable, steady on the road, and ABS is great to have
But I find from what I have noticed around me that usually people who have a PCX stick to it and don't like the Nmax and same goes for Nmax owners
The best, if possible, is to try each for a day and see how it responds to one's needs
Could be some truth to this. I normally ride big bikes most of the time so I compare the small ones to eachother and to the big bikes too. Especially for taller riders small bikes could be a problem. I have ridden most of the 110 to 150 range of scooters, and there is no doubt that if you are a tall/large person the PCX will be your best fit. If you are an avarage size person, both PCX and N-Max will suit you. All the other ones are imo too small for a farang person. Just see for yourselves when a farang comes riding a fino, wave, scoopy etc. It looks so funny with a large/tall person on such a small bike. My wife is laughing every time I take our Suzuki Step or our Fino when going to 7/11. I am 1.87-1.88cm tall.
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Re: Honda PCX or Yamaha Nmax?

Post by joelle »

We are both my husband and I 1m85 and 1m71 respectively and find our Nmax great for our heights and need of leg room
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Re: Honda PCX or Yamaha Nmax?

Post by Gregjam »

Just been watching a YouTube comparison between the Nmax and Aerox. Different bike styles with the Nmax not having the pronounced seat step or fairing that intrudes on your knees. The Aerox is sportier but I would have preferred if the missus had bought the Nmax.
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Re: Honda PCX or Yamaha Nmax?

Post by STEVE G »

I happened to walk past a new Honda PCX in Europe today and I noticed that the one they sell here, which is a 125, does have ABS now:

https://hondanews.eu/eu/et/motorcycles/ ... nda-pcx125
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Re: Honda PCX or Yamaha Nmax?

Post by huahin4ever »

And here is the new Hybrid in Thailand, unfortunately without ABS. It's a shame Honda hasn't upgraded to rear disc brake and ABS.ImageImage
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