[Webike Moto Guide] The Evolution of Yamaha: Introducing the X-Force

EWC x Webike

Why isn't "MAX" added to the name? Because it opens up new possibilities! [Yamaha X-Force]

The Yamaha X-Force is a scooter equipped with a 155cc single-cylinder engine.
This class is currently central to the global scooter market, with many manufacturers putting a lot of effort into development and production, but when I checked the Yamaha catalog, I found that in addition to the X-Force, there are three other models in the lineup: the NMAX155 and the Tricity 155!!
That's a bit too much! Or rather, what are the differences?
Curious, I decided to explore the features of the X-Force and how its character differs from that of its other sibling models!

The tough styling is a hit! It has a unique presence among scooters!

A while ago, around the beginning of 2000, it was quite a while ago, but there was a big scooter boom. There was a time when scooters, mainly in the 250cc class, sold explosively. It is no exaggeration to say that the Yamaha Majesty was the leading model at the time.

The big scooter boom was one of the reasons behind the birth of the motorcycle automatic license, but as is often the case, once something has caught fire, it comes to an end. The opportunities to see them on the streets have decreased significantly.

However, in its place, in the 2010s, scooters with engine displacements of 150cc to 200cc began to appear.

Compared to the big scooters that came before, they are compact, making them easy to use in urban areas, and are built more solidly than moped-class scooters. Furthermore, because they have an engine displacement that allows them to be used on highways, they have taken over the top city commuter position that was previously held by big scooters.
This trend was particularly evident in global markets such as Europe, Asia, and South America.
This trend continues to this day, with the X-Force being a newcomer that was born in 2022.
At the same time, it is also the de facto successor to the Majesty S, which had been sold by Yamaha until then.

 

First of all, you'll fall in love with its wild appearance! But the content is even more fascinating!

I ride a variety of motorcycles throughout the year, from large-displacement cruisers to 50cc models, but I have never had a chance to ride the X-Force, and this was my first time experiencing it.
The styling, such as the wild face mask and the orange accent color under the seat, makes an impact. It is very eye-catching, so even if you see it in the city, you will definitely be interested and ask, "What a model!"
On the other hand, contrary to its appearance, it is also well-thought-out for its practicality. First of all, as a scooter fan, I think the flat type footboard is a big point.
For scooters of the small motorcycle class or larger, there is often an arch-shaped bulge in the center of the body due to issues with rigidity and fuel tank capacity.
What is convenient about this is that you can place small items and use the so-called convenience store hook under the handlebars without stress.
It also has a USB power socket, a trunk space under the seat that is large enough to fit a helmet, and is equipped with safety features such as ABS and traction control.
In addition, by linking it to a dedicated app installed on your smartphone, you can display incoming call notifications and battery level on the meter and use the smartphone screen as a sub-display!

 

Is it a little difficult to reach the ground with your feet? But the body is light so there's no need to worry!

The X-Force that we borrowed for this test drive was equipped with the optional low-down seat (21,450 yen). This means that the seat height of the X-Force is improved by about 30 mm when riding.
Looking at the spec sheet, the standard X-Force seat is 815 mm, which is 50 mm higher than the NMAX155.
Because of this, I had heard some people hesitate to sit on the seat, but as mentioned above, the flat footboard gives you plenty of freedom to move your body back and forth and side to side, so you don't have to worry about the seat height even when using it on a daily basis, and this vehicle in particular has a low-down seat, so it was comfortable to ride.
More importantly, the vehicle weighs only 130 kg, so I felt that I could ride it with confidence and ease in any situation.

Just from the looks of it, it looks like it's going to be good to ride! Does it have Yamaha DNA in its handling?

The X-Force has strong acceleration, and from the moment it started to move, I felt, "This is a fast scooter!" The good pulley settings, the lightweight body, and the compact riding position may give that impression, but in reality, it was not defeated by other scooters in the starting dash.
The engine is quiet and revs up just like a motor, so at least in terms of power performance, it is stress-free.
As for cornering performance, the wheelbase is short for a scooter in this class, so it gives a very quick impression, and the bar handlebars set in a restraining position and the compact yet flexible riding position invite an extreme riding style that makes you want to purposely activate the ABS and traction control!

It looks good, it's functional and it rides sporty.

What I felt after riding the X-Force for a while was that it was designed with a different direction from the NMAX155 and Tricity 155.
The NMAX155 has a luxurious image with a soft ride, and the Tricity 155 offers the ground-hugging ride that is characteristic of a three-wheeler, but the X-Force is designed as a pure sports scooter.
Given its size, it is compact, which gives it a "modern size" and it has a nice texture while keeping costs down, which satisfies your desire to own it.

I want to convey my opinion and bias, "Good and Bad!!"

Test Rider Komatsu Man decides on good and bad based on his own opinion and bias.

The biggest attraction of the X-Force is the styling, which I like and it looks cool!!

The face has a sharp look, and the wide range of colors is also nice. It should be easy to distinguish it from other scooters on the street.

This is just my opinion, but I think the design is comparable to higher-end Togatta models such as the Niken and MT-10!

The bad point, on the other hand, is the step board, which can be quite slippery depending on the shoes you are wearing. When riding sporty, there are times when you have to put force into your feet, but depending on the type of sole, it seemed like it would slip.

However, after riding it for a week, that feeling gradually faded. Maybe I had used a wax-like protective agent before renting it!?

 

If you're mainly using it on the street, nothing beats this!!

Just between you and me, during the test drive, I did some pretty nasty things, like twisting the handlebars and turning, and checking the effectiveness of the sudden brakes and traction control functions, but overall the X-Force seemed to be designed with sincerity in terms of its riding.

I learned that the reason why the suspension feels stiff when riding normally is because it's at a limit where it's okay to turn at speeds above that, and it's fast enough to ride on the highway without any anxiety.

But even so, I think it's more suited to crowded urban areas. If you're going to use it for commuting to work or school, which is over 50km one way, I'd give the NMAX155 or Tricity 155 the edge.

On the other hand, if you only use highways in urban areas and mainly use local roads, the X-Force is a very comfortable and fun machine. Yes, it feels similar to the Yokonori Sports in terms of sensation. So even if you only ride a short distance, you'll feel refreshed and exhilarated!

In terms of fuel economy, I used 4.6L for 137.6km and 1.97L for 72.8km, so the actual fuel consumption was excellent at about 32km/L! Considering that I was often at full throttle on the highway, this is quite good.
It's a different line from the MAX series, and I give the X-Force my stamp of approval as a super sports scooter that can be used conveniently on a daily basis!

X-Force [2024] Main Specifications (Manufacturer's Standard)

  • Overall Length x Width x Height: 1,920 x 760 x 1,120 mm
  • Wheelbase: 1,340 mm
  • Seat Height: 815 mm
  • Weight: 130 kg
  • Engine: Water-cooled 4-stroke Single Cylinder SOHC 155 cc
  • Maximum Output: 15 PS (11 kW) / 8,000 rpm
  • Maximum Torque: 14 Nm / 6,500 rpm
  • Fuel Tank Capacity: 6.1 L
  • Transmission: V-belt Type Stepless Transmission
  • Brakes: F = disc, R = disc
  • Tires: F = 120/70-13, R = 130/70-13
  • Price: $2577.86

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