Every scooter spec sheet carries a maximum load figure - and almost nobody reads it until a pillion, a backpack and a week of shopping are already on the bike. This explainer covers what the figure means, the verified numbers we hold, and how to ride within it.
What the manufacturer figure means
Maximum load (payload) is the total weight the manufacturer permits ON TOP of the ready-to-ride bike: rider + pillion + luggage + fuel already counted in the kerb weight? No - fuel is normally included in kerb/wet weight; payload is the people and cargo. Two adults plus a laptop bag can total 150 kg or more, which is why this number matters in Vietnam more than in single-rider markets.
Verified payload figures (official pages, retrieved 23 September 2026)
| Scooter | Maximum load |
|---|---|
| Yamaha NMAX 155 | 167 kg |
| Yamaha Gear 125 Hybrid | 157 kg |
| Yamaha Lexi 155 | not published on the page we retrieved - omitted |
Only Yamaha publishes clean payload figures across its current pages; Honda’s Vietnamese pages do not publish maximum load for the models we retrieved, so we state none rather than estimating.
Reading the numbers honestly
- 157 kg sounds generous until you add it up: a 75 kg rider + 70 kg pillion = 145 kg before any luggage.
- Exceeding payload is not an immediate failure - it is gradual: slower braking, wallowing suspension, overheating brakes on descents, and stressed tyres. Our two-up guide and suspension preload guide cover how to set the bike up properly for real loads.
- Payload is separate from towing and rack limits: a top box loaded to 10 kg on a rack has its own effect on handling, covered in our luggage guide.
The legal dimension
Vietnamese traffic law governs passengers and load carriage - when a pillion is legal, child-seat rules, and load projection rules are covered in our VERIFIED legal articles on passenger rules and required equipment. Payload figures are manufacturer guidance; the legal rules come from the law, not the spec sheet.
Practical rules for loaded riding
- Keep the heaviest items low and central (underseat bay, not a high top box).
- Increase following distance - braking distances grow with load (our emergency braking guide covers technique).
- Set rear suspension preload for the load where adjustable.
- Check tyre condition and pressure before a loaded trip (our tyre care guide; use the manufacturer’s pressure values, never guessed ones).
For renting with a pillion or cargo plans, say so when booking - contact us to confirm current availability of suitable models.