Yamaha Aerox Problems: 4 Known Issues (Explained)

If you are looking to buy your next scooter, the Yamaha Aerox is a solid choice.

It offers efficient speed, steadfast handling and is loaded with premium features.

Whether you’re in the market for a scooter (technically a scooter or moped) or you’re the brand new owner of a Yamaha Aerox, knowing the tribulations and troubleshooting other owners have been through could save you time and money.

Now let’s scoot right into the most common issues with the Yamaha Aerox!

1. Moped Running Problems

There’s nothing more frustrating than jumping on a ped on a sunny day only to have it hit the hay as soon as you take off.

We’ve heard of a few riders who reported experiencing multiple running problems and erratic performance.

Since the Yamaha Aerox is one of the more reliable mopeds on the market, we did a deep dive to find out more about the following issues these riders had on the Yamaha Aerox:

Moped Refuses to Start (Electric Start Doesn’t Work)

One of the charms of the Yamaha Aerox is its electric starter.

Although the bike has a kick starter that functions to start the bike manually, the electric starter is ideal for get-up-and-go moped riders.

A few of the complaints we’ve encountered with Aerox mopeds are from owners who press their electric starter and,  instead of the engine roaring to life, the electric starter merely turns over, and the bike shows no signs of starting.

Riders noticed that the battery is charged, the digital instruments are lit, and the turn signal lights work fine, alluding to the wiring harness being intact.

And if the kick-start functions properly, then the ignition system isn’t a culprit either.

Solution:

The most frequent culprit, come to find out, is that the wire that connects the starter system to the motor is exposed.

Directly behind the rear wheel, you’ll a wire going into the engine, the only wire in that area.

Since this wire is exposed, it tends to rust or catch debris, causing it to pop out of place.

The quick fix is just pushing it back in by hand, but you’ll eventually want to get it soldered into place more permanently.

Moped Loses Power and Stalls

Another running issue with the Aerox scooters is that they often “cut out,” i.e., they lose power and stall.

The pattern is most the same: the owner starts the bike, rides it for a few minutes, and then the bike stalls.

For some, the stalling occurs when the bike reaches a certain temperature. In such cases, the scooter may lose power after the bike has been idling for some time, e.g., at a red light.

While we understand the frustration, no one enjoys having his/her bike dying during a trip. Almost all of these occurrences resulted from a poorly maintained scooter or a scooter that’s been sitting unkept for a long amount of time.

Possible causes for these running problems include:

#1 Battery Issues:

A bad battery could be responsible for the inability of the Aerox to start. Some batteries tend to drain if left unused for a long time.

This would explain why many of the owners affected found it difficult to start the bike after a period of disuse.

#2 Cold Carb:

If your Aerox moped takes time to start when cold, don’t fret. The problem is common on all carbureted moped and motorcycles, not just the Aerox, and is quite pronounced on frosty mornings. Here are a few tips:

A simple fix to use the Kickstarter instead of the electric self-starter.

Also, always pull out the choke before doing this to make it more effective, and let the bike warm up with the choke pulled for about five minutes before you ride it in the cold.

#3 Air leaks:

Air leaks will cause an imbalance in the air-fuel ratio and force the engine to run lean.

If this happens, it could cause the moped to stall after a period of use. It could be a crack in a manifold, could be torn, or an air filter. Examine the bike to find the leak area, seal it up, and see if the problem stops.

Depending on your experience and where the leak is, you may need a pro for this.

#4 Faulty spark plugs:

If your spark plug isn’t giving the spark necessary for ignition, your bike won’t start.

The regular solution is to clean the spark plug in case it is fouled or buy a new one.

#5 Faulty air/fuel filters:

Clogged-up air and fuel filters will cause the engine to either run lean or rich. Both can lead to engine stalling and losing power.

2. Ride Quality Is Poor in Some Situations

The Yamaha Aerox was designed to be a hard-hitting punch in a small package.; it’s small, but the Aerox has great cornering and handling ability, thanks to its sporty design.

However, some prospective riders have taken up issues with its frame, which offers tight space for the rider’s feet.

While the seat may be soft and broad and welcomes a passenger, there’s little room to spare. The seat isn’t too high, but it is wide, and that gets some nose turns here and there as well.

While some riders praise the upright body position and relaxed foot positioning when their feet are slide to the extended footboard side, others complain that this comfort doesn’t last for long rides.

Other riders dislike the stiff suspension, claiming that the ride quality can be compromised, especially when riding over bumps and other uneven surfaces.

We just wanted to make you aware of the few negative opinions we’ve heard faintly voiced between the sea of praises that refer to the Aerox as a solid daily driver.

3. Moped Vibrates Excessively

It is normal for a scooter this powerful to vibrate. However, excess vibration can make the ride rough and reduce the joy of riding.

Some complaints concerning the Aerox have revolved around their tendency to vibrate excessively.

This particular ped packs way more of a punch than its competitors, so some riders need time to adjust to its power.

That said, if you’re feeling the effects of these vibratory effects in your hands/legs, it might be the sign of a different problem.

If you notice the vibration increasing, here are some potentials to examine:

#1 Improper wheel bearings:

Bad wheel bearings can cause your moped to vibrate, especially at specific speeds. One way to know if a bad wheel bearing is at fault is to examine your wheels.

To do this, lift each wheel and rotate them. Check for any squeaking noises or extra effort needed to turn the wheel. These signs mean your wheel bearings need replacement.

#2 Unbalanced crankshaft:

Bad crankshaft bearings can cause your scooter to vibrate, especially at higher RPMs.

#3 Variator issues:

Some Aerox owners report that their bikes vibrate while idling or at low speeds. If this is the case for you, your Aerox’s variator may be at fault. A variator is a component in scooters that controls the engine’s speed.

How does a variator affect vibration?

If it’s faulty or improperly set up, your engine may operate at low RPMs in low-speed situations.

This will cause the engine to lug slightly, leading to the vibration at low speeds.

Tuning the variator to allow for more engine RPM at low speed should solve the problem. There are several resources online that can teach you how to tune your scooter’s variator properly.

4. Repeated Electrical Problems

Electrical problems can result from poor maintenance, but they can also be hapless victims of a daily driver’s wear and tear.

Aerox owners have experienced some electrical problems, some of which are specific, others which are standard for any daily driver to keep up with.

Some of these include:

#1 Electric Starter Malfunctions:

Your bike’s electrical starter should function only if you activate it.

However, the starter may try to turn over without you actually activating it. In such a situation, the starter is clearly malfunctioning.

1. • Most diagnoses reveal this problem results from the starter relay ‘shorting out.’
   • The shorting out will force the switch into a constant “ON” setting, which would explain why the starter is turning over when it should not.

#2 Indicators/Dash Lights Don’t Work:

If you start up your bike and the indicators don’t come up, then something’s wrong with your electricals.

It could result from faulty regulators, rectifiers, grounding connectors, or bad batteries, or even just a loose battery terminal.

Putting a wrench on these components to inspect and adjust them is part of routine vehicle maintenance. TO prevent them from happening, adhere to the maintenance schedule outlined in the owner’s manual.

Pros of Yamaha Aerox:

Here are some advantages of the Yamaha Aerox:

1. Impressive Performance

The Aerox comes with a 155cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine that offers around 15 bhp (brake horsepower) of torque and 13.8 Nm of torque.

This makes Aerox arguably the best performing model in its segment.

Besides, this model comes with Variable Valve Timing (VVT), which gives the following benefits:

1. Higher RPM
2. Lower fuel consumption
3. Reduced carbon emissions
4. Longer engine lifespan

2. Attractive Design

There’s no denying that the Aerox is one of the best-looking shooters on the market.

An angular silhouette and sharp lines further enhance the model’s aggressive and sporty styling.

3. Adequate Braking Capabilities

Brakes are an important part of any bike and help you stop your bike safely.

The Aerox offers decent braking power, thanks to a front disc brake and drum rear.

Models also come with an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) that provides excellent braking power on wet surfaces.

4. Advanced Features

One of the best things about Aerox is the many features it offers.

For example, Aerox models come with a smart key feature that lets the rider remotely lock or unlock the scooter. This feature helps protect your scooter in crowded parking spaces.

All you have to do is press the key, and your scooter will emit a beeping sound and flash its lights.

Another impressive feature of the Aerox is the dial assembly at the front panel. This component makes it convenient to turn the scooter on and off and open the fuel door and storage compartment.

You can even lock the steering wheel to prevent criminals from stealing your bike.

Other features include a digital instrument panel, LED headlight and taillight, and mobile charging socket.

5. Good Storage Options

The Aerox comes with a sizeable cargo-holding capacity, thanks to an under-seat storage compartment.

With this, you can keep things like helmets, food, books on your bike.

There’s also a glove compartment where you can store small items such as keys, phones, wallets, etcetera.

6. Great Gas Mileage

Despite the amount of power it offers, the Aerox doesn’t guzzle fuel.

This is mostly because of Yamaha’s Blue Core technology that helps keep fuel consumption low.

Cons of Yamaha Aerox:

The following are some shortcomings of the Yamaha Aerox:

1. Bike Running Problems
2. Ride Quality Is Poor in Some Situations
3. Bike Vibrates Excessively
4. Repeated Electrical Problems

What Do the Reviews Say?

“The Aerox S handles very much like a scooter, albeit sharper and more agile. The suspension isn’t anything fancy… but it was enough to have a blast, especially with the wide, sporty tires. The suspension also does a good job of absorbing road bumps.”

[Source: Topgear.com.ph]

“Like most scoots, the Aerox GP1is also practical. Underseat storage is big enough to hide a helmet, and the leg guards provide enough wind protection to stop flares fluttering in the breeze. In short, the Aerox GP1 represents a massive dose of race-style cool in an already fun and cool sector.”

[Source: Motorcyclenews.com]

What’s The Resale Value On the Yamaha Aerox?

The table below shows the resale value for some model years of the Yamaha Aerox.

Note: You may have to import these bikes into the US.

Was this article helpful?

ⓘ  The information in this article is based on data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall reports, consumer complaints submitted to the NHTSA, reliability ratings from J.D. Power, auto review and rating sites such as Edmunds, specialist forums, etc. We analyzed this data to provide insights into the best and worst years for these vehicle models.