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SYM Citycom is just around the corner

The gap between 250cc scooters in the Middleweight Maxis category and the touring-capable Big Maxis will narrow soon in the U.S.

Arrival of the SYM Citycom 300i in dealerships in the next few weeks has been confirmed, and ScooterMaxi.com will be among the first to review the new model. We want to find out for ourselves if the new 263cc power plant truly qualifies as a step above the 250cc class.

Why has SYM offered a model only 12cc larger than the 251cc engine on the RV 250?

Well, they say more than size matters. SYM already has a reputation for strong engines, largely attributable to the four-valve, four-stroke single-cylinder designs implemented on the RV 250 and the gutsy 16-horsepower 171cc engine offered on the popular HD 200. With the more-advanced Citycom, SYM implements electronic fuel injection for the first time.

Light touring credentials come with the 16” wheels front and rear, 59-inch wheelbase, heftier disc brakes, and a tall, upward-curved windscreen. With a fuel capacity of 2.6 gallons, the Citycom sacrifices some range for those larger wheels. Bottom line, you’ll find many differences between the two models providing choices that go well beyond engine size considerations.

From our perspective, we’re glad to see the U.S. finally getting some scooter models that fill in the gap between 250cc and 400cc. More riders are looking for versatile transportation that delivers clean burning characteristics and excellent mileage out of every gallon of gas. The SYM Citycom 300i appears directly aimed at the ever-growing number of those scooterists.

Yamaha TMAX arriving soon

The Yamaha TMAX has existed for most of this decade, and the third generation of this sporty 500cc Big Maxi will be arriving at U.S. dealerships in July. Originally introduced in 2001, updated in 2004 and followed by a major reworking this year, some of the most skeptical maxiscooter enthusiasts in the U.S. probably are saying, “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Believe it. Yamaha already has the marketing out there on its website. You’ll agree Yamaha is cultivating the sport bike image to the hilt for the TMAX, based on this Scooter Lovers Anonymous video. Featuring former super sport racing champs Scott Russell and Jamie James, you get the idea Yamaha is taking this promotion pretty darn seriously. Now a few folks who don’t have a sense of humor might find the skit off-putting, but most scootering freaks probably will find it pretty hilarious. After all, we have pretty thick skins.

As for the TMAX, it does have a favorable race-bred reputation in the countries where riders have gotten to know it. This comes not only from the sporty appearance, but the performance that comes with a DOHC parallel twin engine, electronic fuel injection, a swingarm rear suspension and a nearly balanced front-rear weight distribution. Major upgrades in the new generation include replacing the tubular steel frame with die cast aluminum and moving up an inch to 15” radials front and rear. As you would expect from any maxiscooter worth its salt, the TMAX has decent storage, a full array of standard conveniences and a wide assortment of accessories available. The clear marketing emphasis, though, is about as far away as you can get from gas-sipping urban runabout or open road-cruising tourer. MSRP is $7,999 for Yamaha standard Deep Blue and $8,099 for Cadmium Yellow.

  Truly coming soon: the Yamaha TMAX

The TMAX is listed as a 2009 model. By the way, yet another 250cc middleweight appears to have bitten the dust. Gone from the U.S. Yamaha lineup for 2009 is the distinctive but short-lived Morphous. Of course, Honda has already phased out the entire Reflex line, the Helix and the Big Ruckus. So, no Japanese marque is importing a 250cc class scooter into the United States at this time.