The TMAX offers awesome handling and braking. In these area’’s the gold standard for maxi-scooters. The die cast aluminum frame and 15” wheels combined with light weight and R6 inspired brakes makes this scooter a blast through the twisties. Unfortunately, Yamaha didn’t squeeze that much power out this scooters 495cc engine so it does an adequate job but it’s not at the same sporty level as the rest of the scooter.. The TMAX’s engine can propel this scooter to an impressive 100mph, but it is leisurely about getting there. Hitting 60mph takes 10-11 seconds with this scooter which means you’ll be battling Corolla’s off the line. For comparison a 600cc Honda Silverwing accomplishes this feat in about 8 seconds. If there’s one reason to overlook the TMAX for a bigger scooter, it’s lackluster acceleration. It seems that Yamaha oriented this big fuel injected scooter more towards fuel economy (50mpg) rather than performance. 50mpg is a nice realistically overall fuel usage though, considering bigger scooters like the Silverwing and Suzuki Burgman 650 often come in under 40mpg.
Compared to larger scooters (ie. Honda’s Silverwing and Suzuki’s Burgman 650), the TMAX is less suited for long trip comfort but it does offer better fuel economy and a 30-70lbs lighter weight. The TMAX also has less storage than those two larger scooters so the TMAX is more at home as your daily commuter than as a long distance touring bike. For more info on the TMAX check out the reviews here and here.The TMAX offers arguably the most sporty styling of the maxi-scooters being offered these days. I think Yamaha has really hit a nice niche by offering sporty styling in a touring capable maxi-scooter package, they just need to add a bit more power so it can hang with the big boys like Honda’s Silverwing, Piaggio’s X9 500, Kymco’s Xciting 500 and of course Suzuki’s popular Burgman 650. If they can do this without hurting the fuel economy then they’ve really got a winner on their hands. I think 500cc is a great size for a maxi-scooter where good power and good fuel economy are both attainable.Hopefully Yamaha continues to see value in this segment and continues improving their sharp TMAX.
Yamaha is offering up a soothing balm for those $4-gallon gas woes with its fuel-efficient 2009 scooter lineup. Headlining the seven-model scooting roster are two all-new designs - the Zuma
125 and 499cc TMAX.TMAX, Majesty
Already a favorite on the other side of the Atlantic, Yamaha has brought its TMAX Stateside to sate American scooter aficionados. The latest maxi-scooter from Yamaha, the TMAX pushes the scooter/motorcycle hybrid to the sporty end of the spectrum. Featuring a fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, four-valve per cylinder Twin, the TMAX mill displaces 499cc through a 66mm bore and 73mm stroke. The Twin's grunt is delivered with a continuously variable transmission, wet centrifugal clutch and V-belt final drive. No power claims are given, but Yamaha does promise a smooth power delivery sufficient "for two-up touring at highway speeds."
he all-new TMAX comes with a $7,999 MSRP for Yamaha Blue, with a Cadmium Yellow scheme fetching another C-note. Tuning fork literature promises availability beginning in July of 2008.Shadowing the TMAX debut is the single-cylinder Majesty. At 395cc, the Majesty looks like a blander version of the flashy TMAX, minus a disc from the larger scooter's braking configuration and with more conservative styling. The Majesty also has smaller wheels. It still pushes the performance envelope for a scooter, however, and is freeway capable. It also edges the TMAX in fuel efficiency at 50 mph, not to mention a $1900 smaller asking price.
Mated to the engine is a chassis that features a CF die-cast aluminum frame. Giving the TMAX a more motorcycle flavor are a 43mm telescopic fork and 15-inch cast aluminum wheels with radial tires. Also adding to the performance factor are triple 267mm disc brakes, with dual units up front and a single disc out back.
Yamaha touts the performance from its shocks and fat tires, which are affixed to 12-inch wheels, make the new Zuma 125 a "scooter at home on unpaved roads." Paved roads or no, the 1.6-gallon tank will offer up well over triple digit range with 88 mpg efficiency. Underseat storage accommodates a full-face helmet, with the all-new 125 available in September for $2,999.
