Yamaha TMAX
Rogerhasgot hisnew steed all set up and readyto go
Roger has decided to see if he can be converted into a scooter rider.
It is usually late autumn when Mikko asks us for a list of motorcycles/scooters that we would fancy for our long-term steed for the following year - just in case some of the bikes are not available, a list of six is sent in for consideration.
As it has been some five years since a scooter has been in my hands as a long-term bike, I decided to put one on the top of my list. Not wanting to lose out in many riding areas, it is always difficult as a motorcyclist to justify a scooter - will I miss the umph of a 'proper' motorcycle? Will I miss out on handling?
And more to the point, will a scooter be able to put a smile on my face after every run?
Looking at the sport scooters on offer, the Yamaha TMAX 560 was the obvious choice as I wanted a respectable turn of speed alongside the scooter convenience.
But I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here ... Just because the TMAX headed my list of six machines it wasn't necessarily going to be the one chosen by the boss - but Lady Luck was with me, and for 2020 the Yamaha TMAX is mine for a few months.
As the guy who collects and returns most test bikes from various manufacturers for Motorcycle Sport & Leisure, it was a day I was looking forward to more than most when I made my way to Yamaha HQ in
Surrey to collect a couple of long-term bikes, including my very own new friend.
A quick, but most useful handover by one of the Yamaha technicians and the scooter was loaded into the van alongside a Tenere 700 (blimey - that's got a tall seat at 875mm, I would have no chance of even tippy toeing on both sides).
With a big smile on my face I headed back to south Lincolnshire. Three-and-a-half hours later the TMAX was at home for inspection by the better half, who immediately fell in love with the colour - Icon Grey with metallic blue wheels (also available in Sword Grey with black wheels).
Phew, very important to please her - don't you know! To be fair to her, she loved the whole look, not just the colour, and was happy as she knew I would have some fun days ahead riding my new toy - not sure why she calls all my motorcycles toys, but she always has.
WHY A SCOOTER?
If there is any one area that I have great difficulties with when choosing a large-capacity scooter, it is trying to justify the price tag. At £10,320 for this
base model TMAX (there is a TMAX Tech Max available at £11,771 of which more later), it is going to have to REALLYsell itself to me. For me, the convenience of a scooter (read into this under-seat storage, full frontal weather protection and automatic transmission) makes for a machine that can be wheeled out of the garage for short trips to collect some groceries or pack in some reasonable miles without compromise on the fun element.
The next few months will tell me if the TMAX fulfills my requirements. Just sitting on the bike in my driveway, I became aware of the very comfortable wide seat that immediately shows the overall width - plus wide footboards, which are going to prove somewhat daunting for my diddy legs.
The spec sheet on the TMAX shows a seat height of just 800mm, so it should be great for me, but and this is a big BUT; it's very, very wide and the only way I can touch the floor with both feet down (and even then not flat on the floor) is to move forward
on the seat where it narrows down. Once on the move and my bum is returned to its most comfortable position on the seat, all is well - until such time as I need to stop again, that is.
FIRST RIDE
As this is a smart key operated bike the old brainbox has to be engaged to ensure all is well before starting. If the bike has been left with the centre stand locked (yes, the stand is locked
by an electrically operated pin to lock it in the down position) or the steering locked, then both must be unlocked via the 'exit parking' mode switch on the handlebar cover.
There are a full 12 pages covering the smart key system in the handbook, so I am just covering the basics at this point.
So, pull one of the brake levers on (not forgetting that the left-hand lever is the rear brake). Remember to unlock the brake lock lever that is situated on the left-hand handlebar. 'Welcome on board' shows on the screen. Press the starter button and we are away with just opening the throttle - easy peasy.
I hate running a bike in as I'm sure most of you can relate to, but at 5100rpm recommended running in rate for the first 600 miles and subsequent first service, a speed of just under 70mph can be obtained. Ok, I have only covered 32 miles so the 57.6mpg figure obtained by viewing the 'fuel trip' on the display may not be a true
reflection of the mpg as the miles ramp up.
It has to be said that folding mirrors fitted to fairings/ screens do not normally stay crystal clear, but here they are spot on. The windshield can be changed to one of two positions with a five-minute operation using the alien key supplied in the tool kit. The lowest position puts the wind directly on to the top of my helmet, so I tried the 50mm higher position that then caused wind turbulence at the back of my neck - back to the lowest position for me.
After only 32 miles I am already warming to the TMAX and I am looking forward to some miles on the scooter in a 'motorcycle' fashion.