Two numbers dominate how stable a scooter feels at speed: wheel size (covered in our tyre sizes and 16-inch wheel guides) and wheelbase - the distance between the axle centres. Here is what the verified figures show across the Vietnamese market (manufacturer pages, retrieved 23 September 2026).
The verified wheelbase table
| Scooter | Wheelbase |
|---|---|
| Yamaha Latte 125 | 1,275 mm |
| Honda Vario 160 | 1,278 mm |
| Honda Vision 110 | 1,277 mm |
| Honda Vario 125 | 1,280 mm |
| Honda Air Blade 160 | 1,286 mm |
| Honda Sh mode 125 | 1,304 mm |
| Yamaha NVX 155 | 1,350 mm |
| Honda SH160i | 1,353 mm |
What a longer wheelbase does
A longer wheelbase resists pitching - the bike settles rather than bobs over broken surfaces, holds its line through fast curves, and feels calmer with a pillion or heavy cargo. That is why the two long-wheelbase machines (NVX, SH160i) are the natural two-up and long-distance choices, as our two-up guide explains.
What a shorter wheelbase does
Shorter wheelbases turn with less effort: quicker U-turns, easier lane-changes, less steering input at walking pace. In Old Quarter traffic, the Latte or Vario 160 will feel more agile than the SH every single day. The Vario 160 is an interesting case: a short 1,278 mm wheelbase but wide 14-inch tyres, giving agility with grip - showing that wheelbase works together with tyre size and weight (see our kerb weight table).
Choosing by your roads
Mostly narrow streets and short hops: shorter wheelbase, smaller wheels, lighter weight. Fast arterials, bridges, provincial runs, regular pillion: longer wheelbase, bigger wheels. Many riders end up in the 1,280-1,300 mm middle - the modern mainstream - which handles both adequately.
One caution
Wheelbase figures are manufacturer-published geometry, not handling ratings. Suspension quality, tyre condition and load all change real stability - and none of them can be judged from a spec sheet. Test ride before you commit, and for rentals run through our inspection checklist.