How fast is the Yamaha Nmax Street Fighter with its Pollini variator from 0-30, 0-50 and 0-80 Kilometers per hour?

Everything started out so wrong in preparing the raw numbers for the Yamaha Nmax street fighter. So, I’m going to do it all again. And edit the results you are seeing here. But I just couldn’t wait. For one thing I want to see if my Yamaha Nmax street fighter is faster than it was before I equipped it with the Pollini variator.

So just what is the Yamaha Nmax streetfighter?

It is my modified Yamaha Nmax 155 which is now 8 years old. But which I would stack up against any of the new models. If you are wondering just what a variator is, simply put, it’s the automatic shifting mechanism that drives today’s scooters and under bone bikes with a drive belt. I installed a new Pollini variator in my 8-year-old Nmax because my bike would not drive smoothly at very low speeds one encounters in parking lots. Yamaha’s newer models remedied this defect. And although I thought I could try different options to smooth out my Nmax’s drivability at low speeds, I decided my options were limited. Because rough getaways at parking lot speeds were inherent in the older Nmax model.

But when the manager at my Triumph dealer told me I needed a new set of ball bearings to smooth my Nmax out, I suddenly took an interest in replacing my standard Yamaha variator with a Pollini or J Costa variator. With both companies advertising noticeably improved acceleration and slightly higher top speeds. Along with much improved smoothness.

From what I gleaned from my internet sources I could expect a 15 % improvement in acceleration with a Pollini variator and possibly 1 to 5 more kilometers per hour more top speed. So, I did it. Ordering a Pollini variator from Italy. Which I had the main Mityon shop install for me here in Pattaya.

I didn’t like the feel the new variator gave my Nmax as soon as I drove away from the shop.

At slow speeds it felt like I was driving a five-speed car in first gear at maximum rpms. But I got used to the new feel the Pollini variator gave my machine. While it felt much faster when I opened up the throttle.

Then I decided to race Rory’s much newer Nmax. I’ve driven Rory’s Nmax a lot once he gave me his set of keys and traveled back to Hong Kong where he lives most of the time. And found it much smoother than mine at low speeds. This aside from his new model Nmax having keyless starting and that on off feature that Honda innovated with its PCX. Which amounts to the engine automatically shutting down as soon as you stop at stop lights. While the engine starts up again as soon as you start to twist the throttle. But although some of the new features are nice once you start getting used to them, I felt that my 8-year-old Nmax had more torque off the line. While Rory’s bike would start coming into its own after hitting 20 kph or so.

I had tried to remedy the harsh suspension of my Nmax by having the dealer install new shocks. But the new shocks gave just as rough a ride as the old ones did. But oh well. When it comes to cars and motorcycles you can’t have everything. And that harsh suspension of the older model Yamaha Nmax’s, gives it fabulous handling. I had also installed a new ABS braking system that cost me a bundle. But I had to because the ABS system had crapped out. The final touch was replacing the brake levers with gold plated ones I got from the dealer. The new levers were not only beautiful. They also imparted a far superior feel to the stoke brake levers.

So as soon as Rory came back from Hong Kong we raced our two Yamaha Nmaxes against each other. And each time my now Pollini equipped Nmax beat Rory’s new model Nmax by five or six bike lengths.

I also have a one year old Triumph 900 Speed Twin, which if you have to have a big bike here in Pattaya, I think this new Speed Twin is the best you can get.

But to be honest, now that I’ve got the Pollini variator on my Nmax I find myself driving my Triumph speed twin a lot less.

For me, my Triumph Speed twin is the most beautiful motorcycle money can buy here in Thailand. While it does everything so well. I won’t reiterate everything I’ve already said about this fantastic, beautiful machine, so I’ll just give you a link here. However, the Yamaha Nmax street fighter is so totally practical in this part of the world. While it offers gobs of excitement at any speed you choose to drive it.

You might also want to watch my videos of the old model Nmax 155 vs the new model Nmax.