Yamaha Aerox 155 vs Aprilia SXR 160: Battle Of India’s Sportiest Scooters

Published September 22, 2021
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Can Yamaha India’s most premium scooter prevail over Aprilia’s flagship offering?

If you’re in the market for a maxi-style scooter, the time has never been better. Yamaha has launched the much-praised Aerox 155 at competitive prices, and it is in the crosshairs of the SXR 160, Aprilia’s flagship scooter in the country. We can’t help but wonder which is the better scooter of the two. So, here’s a number-based spec comparo for you to find out:

Engine

Specifications	Yamaha Aerox 155	Aprilia SXR 160
Engine	155cc, single-cylinder, 2-valve engine	160cc, single-cylinder, 3-valve engine
Power	15PS @ 8000rpm	10.9PS @ 7100rpm
Torque	13.9Nm @ 6500rpm	11.6Nm @ 6000rpm

Yamaha Aerox 155 Launched, Prices Start At Rs 1.29 Lakh

Up until the Aerox 155’s launch, the Aprilia SXR 160 proudly bore the “most powerful scooter in India” tag. This is no longer the case as the Aerox puts out a healthy 4PS and 2.3Nm more than the SXR 160, despite the 5cc smaller engine. In addition, since the Aerox’s engine is drawn from the YZF-R15, it also features variable valve actuation, which should make it quite punchy even at crawling speeds.

The SXR 160 might fall short of the Aerox, but by no means is it a slouch. During our test ride, we thoroughly enjoyed its motor, and it even became the fastest BS6-compliant ICE-powered scooter to reach 80kmph. However, whether it can hold its performance advantage is something we can verify only after testing the Yamaha Aerox 155.

Underpinnings

Specifications	Yamaha Aerox 155	Aprilia SXR 160
Front suspension	26mm telescopic fork	30mm telescopic fork
Rear suspension	Dual shock absorbers	Adjustable monoshock
Front brake	230mm disc brake	220mm disc brake
Rear brake	130mm drum brake	140mm drum brake
Front tyre	110/80-14	120/70-12
Rear tyre	140/70-14	120/70-12

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Both scooters have their pros and cons here. The Aprilia SXR 160 has a more premium suspension setup with a beefier 30mm telescopic fork and an adjustable monoshock. On the other hand, the Aerox has a 26mm fork and conventional dual shock absorbers. But it has a bigger front disc, wider rear tyre, and bigger alloy wheels. The SXR160 impressed us with how its handling, and given the sporty intentions of the Aerox 155, we are sure that the Japanese scooter won’t be a slouch.

Dimensions

Specifications	Yamaha Aerox 155	Aprilia SXR 160
Wheelbase	1350mm	1353mm
Ground clearance	145mm	160mm
Fuel tank capacity	5.5-litres	7-litres
Seat height	790mm	775mm
Kerb weight	126kg	129kg

Here, the Aprilia SXR 160 shines. With 15mm more ground clearance and a 15mm lower seat height, the SXR 160 is clearly the more accessible scooter between the two. Flat-footing wouldn’t be too hard on the Aerox either, but it’d be easier on the SXR 160, especially for shorter riders. Moreover, the Aprilia can hold 2.5-litre more fuel, meaning lesser fuel stops and better range.

However, thanks to its smaller tank, the Aerox weighs 3kg less than the SXR 160. This should make it easier to maneuver in tight traffic.

Features

	Yamaha Aerox 155	Aprilia SXR 160
Digital instrument cluster	Yes	Yes
ABS	Yes	Yes
Smartphone connectivity	Yes	No
LED illumination	Yes	Yes
Underseat storage	24.5-litre	21-litre
Cubby storage	Yes	Yes
Multi-function key	Yes	No
External fuel filler cap	Yes	No
USB port	No	Yes

The feature list is the Yamaha Aerox 155’s trump card, and the SXR 160 is no match for it. Both scooters share ABS, an informative LCD instrument cluster, and LED illumination. But, additionally, the Aerox gets an external fuel filler cap (positioned between the handlebar and seat), a multi-function key hole, and most importantly, smartphone connectivity through Yamaha’s Y-connect app. Not only this, you also get more underseat storage on the Aerox, which can be opened just by pressing a button.

However, the Aerox misses out on a USB port, which comes standard on the SXR 160.

Price & Verdict

Yamaha Aerox 155	Aprilia SXR 160
Rs 1,29,000	Rs 1,27,384

(all prices ex-showroom Delhi)

The Aprilia SXR 160 undercuts the Yamaha Aerox 155 by roughly Rs 2,000. This is quite a fine margin, and it becomes irrelevant when you consider what the Aerox has to offer over the SXR 160. Hence, if you’re in the market for a sporty maxi scooter, we suggest you put down money on the Yamaha Aerox 155. And stay tuned to ZigWheels for our first-ride impressions on Yamaha’s most premium scooter in India.

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