FIRST RIDE: YAMAHA TMAX
Devotees will love it, the unconvinced won’t give a stuff.
Atra c-busting twist-and-go that’ll do 115mph, embarrass almost anything away from the lights and hold its own on back roads. That’s Yamaha’s, apex predator of scooters, TMAX.
There is no getting away from the fact that this new for 2020 seventh generation TMAX is wide, heavy and long. But around town it constantly surprises with peppy acceleration and lightning agility. It’s also easier to get feet down at a standstill, thanks to its narrower seat, but it’s still a leg-splayer. This new TMAX lives to slice through tra c, but it encourages the hooligan in you, too. Acceleration is remarkably brisk and no matter how hard you trail brake into a corner or yank on the ’bar you’ll be hard pressed to stress the sporty chassis. Unshakable stability comes courtesy of its stretched-out wheelbase and a supple ride makes every cruise-controlled motorway journey a breeze, but sat on the base of your spine, like a feet-forward cruiser, backache eventually creeps in.
The TMAX’S equipment levels are equally surprising, the top spec Tech Max providing tourer-like luxury with: an electric screen; cruise and traction control; riding modes; a locking centre stand; keyless ignition; multifunction dash; heated grips and seat. There’s also enough storage to accommodate shopping, and the chassis spec reads like a race build: cast aluminium twin spar frame; upside down forks; single rear shock and four piston radial calipers.
Capacity has grown from 530cc to 562cc, power is up 2bhp to 47bhp, torque is up by 6% and fuel e ciency by 10%. The rubber band gearing has also been tweaked for more acceleration and lower rpm cruising. All in the name of Euro5.
There’s little change in the chassis department although it does weigh 4kg more than the outgoing model. The suspension gets stiffer springs and there are 15-inch wheels and Bridgestone’s Battlax SC rubber. Styling changes are limited to a sleeker tail unit, a narrower seat, a T-shaped rear light cluster and LED front indicators.
Yamaha reckon most TMAX enthusiasts go for the all-singing model, but the standard version is also impressively equipped. Then again the Tech Max is only a few extra quid on that ubiquitous PCP. Of course you could be forgiven for wondering what this blather about maxi scooters is all about, after all they haven’t taken off here. Which is true, their heartland being more your Frances and Italys where they buzz through cities like angry ants. To make matters worse for UK TMAX sales folk, the person on the Clapham omnibus is unlikely to give up their comfy warm seat because two wheelers are dangerous, aren’t they? And what self respecting, image-conscious, motorcyclist is going to demean themselves on a big twist and go?
The TMAX has become a TV icon, appearing in gangster shows such as Gomorrah and, of course, big scoots are associated with real crime. In reality the TMAX is less easy to pinch than a normal bike thanks to its centre stand lock, and with its in-built tracker (free subscription for the first year) it’s easier to find if it is lifted. Insurance is cheap for the most part, but if you live in London, forget it. Convincing the great British public to spend north of ten grand on a scooter is a big ask (it’s £10,199 for the base TMAX and £11,649 for the Tech Max). But it is possible to justify, with a straight face, when you consider just how much the new TMAX can do, how brilliantly it does it and how good it makes you feel on every single journey. That daily commute will never look the same again. So put to one side the fact that 2020’s updates aren’t what you would call ground-breaking. That’s okay because this year’s model is still the same TMAX we (well, some of us) know and love.
‘This new TMAX lives to slice through traffic, but it encourages the hooligan in you, too’