NMAX 155 | All The Small Things

Taking on Melbourne to Find Tiny Treasure

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Standing next to it, I first thought about how big I was going to look on it, then I realised the connection between the bike and my mission. The NMAX 155 is the smallest in Yamaha’s Max scooter range, and I was chasing small treasures. Good things, I reminded myself, really do come in small packages.

Sliding onto the comfortable dual seat, I certainly didn’t feel like a big guy on a small scooter. I tapped the Smart Key System - no fumbling with a key – connected my smart phone to the bike via the Y-Connect app, entered my planned route into the sat nav system so it displayed on the dash, and away I went. The little NMAX purrs with a 155cc Blue Core engine, which isn’t just efficient but surprisingly strong, pulling smoothly away from lights and zipping into traffic gaps with ease.

Once into the city I set the ride mode from Sport (S) to Town (T) for fuel-saving commuting. The YECVT transmission meant acceleration was silk-smooth, but I also had the option to click back into Sport (S) mode if I wanted a little extra zip.

My treasure hunt began in the thick of it, Bourke Street in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. Of course, the city was jammed. It was peak hour, plus there was a music event drawing a crowd just metres from Metro Hobbies. Cars sat stuck in endless lines of traffic, I, on the other hand, filtered past the gridlock, turned into Bourke Street, and cruised almost to the front door.

Scooter life means traffic jams are optional. I parked neatly on the footpath, right next to a police car, no less, (gotta love Melbourne) before heading inside. Metro Hobbies is paradise for collectors, its shelves stacked with kits, models, and rare finds. The staff knew their stuff and shared my excitement. Half an hour later, I walked out with a bag of diecast treasures, lifted the seat, and stowed them securely in the spacious under-seat storage. Helmet and gloves also had their own hiding spot—no need to lug anything around.

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Next stop: Hearns Hobbies on Flinders Street, a Melbourne institution right by the iconic Flinders Street Station. This was where the NMAX really shone. Flinders Street is currently a nightmare, choked by long-term roadworks. For cars, it’s gridlock. For me, it was just another puzzle to solve. I ducked down laneways, slipped through tight spaces, and when I reached a dead end, thanks to an unexpected closure, I simply hopped off, walked the NMAX across a pedestrian access, then remounted on the other side. Try doing that with a car!

Parking was a dream and directly out front. I locked away my riding gear under the seat, the scoot locked itself via the keyless proximity fob, and stepped inside. Hearns Hobbies is a treasure trove of temptation, stacked floor to ceiling with models that can keep you there for hours. I left with more diecast gems, grateful once again for that generous under-seat storage.

With the city conquered, it was time to stretch the NMAX’s legs. I merged onto the M1 for the run to Jay’s Models at Oakleigh. Flicking into Sport mode, the scooter settled into freeway speeds without breaking a sweat. That little Blue Core engine had no trouble keeping pace with traffic, and the high comfort suspension soaked up the bumps. If I need to pick up speed quickly I simply gave the ‘Shift” button a press with my thumb and the YECVT transmission switched to a lower gear ratio.

As the name suggests, Jays Models is run by Jay, a diecast specialist who’s been in the game for more than 30 years. The shop’s entrance - painted like a giant truck - sets the tone. Inside, it’s wall-to-wall diecast heaven. Jay’s knowledge is encyclopaedic, and his friendliness made the visit as enjoyable as the browsing. After some great conversation and, naturally, another purchase or two, I packed up my haul and pointed the NMAX toward central Oakleigh. Lunch was calling, and Oakleigh’s Greek heartland didn’t disappoint. Once again, parking was simple: scooter on the footpath, helmet locked under the seat, and me tucking into a souvlaki within minutes.

Throughout the day, the NMAX made the impossible feel effortless. Melbourne traffic that would normally chew up time and patience became almost irrelevant. Parking, usually a scavenger hunt in the city, was a non-issue. The fresh MAX-inspired styling, with sharp LED lighting and sleek lines, even earned admiring glances as I went, and I made a new friend in Len from Fantastic plants.

Every time I hopped back on, the TFT dash lit up with a crisp display, and thanks to Bluetooth connectivity I was able to keep an eye on messages without digging for my phone. It’s these little touches and the ability to carry all my gear under the seat or in the storage compartments that make scootering an inner-city joy.

By late afternoon, my bags were full of diecast goodies, and my belly was full of Greek food. Yet as I rode back toward Bentleigh to return the NMAX to MotoGo, I couldn’t help but think of all the other hobby stores I’d passed or heard about but hadn’t yet visited.

And that’s the magic of scooter life. With a car, the city feels like an obstacle course of traffic lights, parking meters, and frustration. On the NMAX, it feels like a never-ending ride of discovery. Every laneway is an opportunity, every footpath a parking spot, every store just a few minutes away.

My quest for miniature Yamahas may never be finished, but with the NMAX 155, the journey is as rewarding as the destination.