It’s not surprising to see many Filipinos consider motorbikes as a means of transportation. Not only do motorcycles, and scooters provide our countrymen a safe way to travel during the pandemic but it’s also an affordable way for many of us to get from point A to point B — especially with the rising fuel prices.

Speaking of which, we look at two of today’s most popular scooters to find out which among them is the best in terms of fuel efficiency. Join us as we pit the Nmax and the Aerox against each other in a war waged for the sake of mileage.

Aerodynamics

Aerodynamically sound motorcycles and scooters tend to have better fuel efficiency than those that aren’t. Better aerodynamics lets the motorcycle move forward without exerting too much power as its design allows it to better deflect air.

The Yamaha Mio Aerox is designed with a more aerodynamic exterior than the NMax. The former has a sharper look with angles that are more acute. It also has a more aggressive riding position which allows the rider to bob lower further improving its aerodynamic properties. The latter, on the other hand, has a beefier exterior with thicker fairings. Its riding position, albeit comfortable, puts the rider in a more relaxed and upright stance, thus increasing drag.

Tire size

Tire size is also relevant to fuel efficiency. As it is with cars, motorcycles with larger and wider tires tend to consume more power as they are heavier and have more rolling resistance. Smaller and thinner tires are lighter and more nimble making them better suited for riders who care about fuel efficiency.

The Yamaha Mio Aerox is equipped with a pair of 14-inch tires while the Yamaha NMax rides with 13-inch tires.

Engine

Both scooters from Yamaha pack a 155cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, single-cylinder engine. And considering the aforementioned factors, one would expect the Yamaha Mio Aerox to have the upper hand in terms of mileage.

According to Makki Lusterio, owner of one souped-up Yamaha Aerox, “before the engine swap and the transmission (CVT) tuning, I typically get around 43 kilometers per meter.”

Now with a larger 210cc power unit, Lusterio’s Yamaha Mio Aerox now clocks in at around 20 to 25km/L.

Meanwhile, modded Yamaha NMax owner Kevin Mendoza shares how much gas he consumes before changing his scooter’s ECU, “I usually get around 44 kilometers per liter with the NMax when driving around the city.”

Aside from the ECU, Mendoza slapped a slew of accessories on his scooter which in most cases, can also affect a motorcycle’s fuel efficiency. His NMax now clocks in at 29km/L.

Verdict

Based on these numbers, we’ve found that the Yamaha Aerox is slightly better than the NMax in terms of fuel efficiency. As the owners have put it, the Mio Aerox is built for better cornering and improved speed while the NMax is designed for cruising and touring.

Photos by Paulo Papa

Also read: 

Moto tires: Does size matter?

Circuit city: The 5 most popular race tracks in the country