Ground clearance - the gap between the scooter’s underside and the road - decides what happens on speed bumps, pothole edges, flooded underpasses and rural gravel. Vietnamese riding surfaces make it a real buying criterion, so here are the verified figures (retrieved 23 September 2026), ranked.
The verified ranking
| Model | Ground clearance |
|---|---|
| Honda SH Mode 125 | 151 mm |
| Honda Vario 160 | 138 mm |
| Yamaha Janus 125 | 135 mm |
| Yamaha FreeGo 125 | 135 mm |
| Yamaha Gear 125 Hybrid | 135 mm |
| Yamaha Lexi 155 | 135 mm |
| Honda Vario 125 | 131 mm |
| Yamaha NMAX 155 | 127 mm |
| Yamaha Grande | 127 mm |
Other models in our verified database did not publish a clearance figure - they are omitted rather than estimated.
What the numbers mean in practice
The 24 mm spread between the SH Mode (151 mm) and the Grande (127 mm) is the difference between scraping and clearing on tall speed bumps and broken road edges. Low-clearance bikes also sit closer to standing water in flooded streets - our flooded-streets guide covers when not to ride through at all, and deep-water aftercare covers what water contact does to a scooter.
Caveats
Clearance is a static figure: two-up riding, a loaded underseat bay and worn suspension all reduce it dynamically. And clearance is one of three geometry numbers that matter - wheelbase (our stability guide) and seat height matter more to everyday comfort. Read all three together in our spec-sheet guide, and check the specific bike’s condition before renting - contact us to confirm current availability.